What is Autism?

Children with autism are often labeled as “naughty” or “difficult” as there are no physical characteristics to the condition. They have difficulty processing all the sensory information they encounter in everyday life. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that becomes apparent in early childhood and affects all aspects of a child’s development.

• Autism affects 1 in 150 children with boys being 4 times more likely to be affected.
• A diagnosis of Autism is given when three specific areas of development are significantly affected; social development, communication and repetitious behaviors and restricted interests
• People with Autism tend to be challenged by the ability to understand another’s perspective or even attribute mental states to other people and may display a lack of empathy.
• Communication challenges may range from no use of language to the lack of ability to have fluid, creative conversations.
• Repetitious behaviors may be patterns of motor movements (fine or gross motor), repeated verbal lines or involve unusual sensory stimulations (e.g. spinning or dropping objects or watching movement).
• People with Autism can be characterized also by significant areas of strengths including maths, music and art
• There is currently no genetic, chemical or neurological test for Autism as it is primarily a neurobiological disorder.
• A diagnosis of ASD is made on the basis of behavioral observation.