Autism affects how people experience the world, communicate and interact with others. It is called a spectrum because autistic individuals share some common traits, but each person’s strengths and challenges vary widely.

Autistic people may:

• Communicate or interact differently, which can make social situations feel confusing or overwhelming.
• Find it hard to interpret unwritten social rules or body language.
• Experience sensory sensitivities, such as discomfort with loud noises or busy environments.
• Prefer routines and predictability and may feel anxious when things change unexpectedly.
• Have highly focused interests or hobbies.
• Use repetitive movements or actions, which can be calming or a way to express emotion.

Autism is often described as a “hidden” or “invisible” disability because you cannot tell if someone is autistic just by looking at them. This can lead to misunderstanding or lack of awareness.

Autistic people are individuals with diverse abilities. Some may need significant support, while others live independently. Autism can occur alongside other conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, epilepsy or learning disabilities.

There is no single cause of autism. Research suggests a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  It is not caused by vaccines, parenting, diet or infection (NHS, 2022).