What is Autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder which affects the way an individual communicates with, relates to and understands people and the world around them. The condition can affect people in different ways, and to varying degrees of severity which has led to the term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) being used in diagnosis. Asperger’s syndrome is a term often used to describe people with autism spectrum disorder who have ‘normal’ or superior intelligence and who experienced no language delays in childhood. However, there is continuing debate about the validity of distinctions between Asperger’s syndrome and, for example, high-functioning autism.

ASD’s are characterized by a triad of impairments in the following areas:

• Impairments in social interaction, including difficulties relating, sharing and forming relationships with others.
• Impairment in social communication, including difficulties interpreting and expressing verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Impairments in imagination and social understanding, including difficulties with imaginative play, pretending, planning ahead and tendency toward detail focus at expense of global understanding

The triad of impairments is always accompanied by the presence of stereotyped activity, thinking or interests that are unusual in their intensity or focus. Although not part of standard diagnostic criteria, sensory perception and motor anomalies or impairment are often experienced by people with ASD.

The way an individual presents with autism spectrum disorder will depend on many factors, including the severity of their experience of the autism triad, their intelligence (IQ) and personality. People with ASD can also experience other disorders or psychiatric illness which may further affect their abilities (only certain disorders or psychiatric illness are more likely to affect individuals with ASD). 

Prevalence and Causes

ASD is estimated to affect ~ 1/180 individuals. Males are approximately 4 times more likely to be affected than females although this ratio may be even greater amongst individual with Asperger’s Syndrome. The exact causes of ASD are unknown, although it is recognized that environmental and, in particular, genetic factors are involved in causing the changes in brain function, which produce symptoms of ASD.

Diagnosis of ASD

Diagnosis conducted by the appropriate professionals requires the dismissal of alternative explanations of difficulties experienced and identification of the qualitative impairments and symptoms associated with ASD. Diagnosis is sometimes a lengthy process and is often particularly difficult in intelligent adults whose symptoms are sometimes subtle. The outcome for individuals is generally improved the earlier a diagnosis is made and appropriate response to the individuals experience is begun.

Approaches to ASD

There are a wide variety of supports and interventions employed to assist people with ASD who require them (not everyone with ASD requires or wants support). Many approaches are behavioural and are based on an understanding of the individual experience of ASD, and how they experience the world. Other approaches involve, for example, dietary interventions, sensory related therapies or medications. Not all approaches are scientifically proven to be effective for people with ASD, and, considering the individual nature of the ASD experience, any supports or interventions should be highly individualized after careful consideration of their appropriateness.

Outcomes for People with ASD

The variable abilities of and wide range in severity of symptoms is reflected in the significantly variable outcome for individuals with ASD. People with ASD with significant learning disabilities will often require a high level of support long term, but they may also be able to contribute to society, for example by gaining meaningful employment. People with ASD, including those with Asperger’s Syndrome, whose intelligence and verbal ability is not significantly impaired, often become successfully employed and achieve significant independence in other areas of their life. For many, the outcome is influenced by the understanding response of others around them, the efficacy of support or interventions, and their own personality response to their difficulties.

Resources

" Next steps is a Scottish autism information resource and was compiled by NAS Scotland with funding from the Scottish Executive Education Department. It has been designed as a reference guide for anyone who has been affected by a diagnosis of autism, including Asperger syndrome. Predominantly aimed at parents and carers of a child who has recently been diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), it is a useful resource for the rest of the family including siblings, grandparents, partners of people with ASD and the individual with ASD themselves." (Information Courtesy of National Autistic Society Website )

Next Steps - The National Autistic Society website.