How does autism affect people?
Because of this difference in development, the way in which autistic people understand and interact with the world, and process information, tends to differ to that of the majority of the typical population. In particular, this difference in cognitive style can affect:
- communication and social interaction
- information processing
- sensory sensitivity
- repetitive behaviours
In order to understand and respond to the specific needs of autistic people, it is crucial to appreciate and adapt for these four areas of developmental difference.
At Autism Unlimited we are committed to creating a world of unlimited possibilities, and this has to start with understanding. It is not known what causes autism, but it is a lifelong condition that somebody is born with. There is some evidence that autism is genetic.
As a spectrum condition, people will experience varying levels of challenge across these four areas and as such will require different kinds of support and adaptations. However, this can fluctuate throughout a person’s lifetime as Autism is not a static condition and every autistic person will experience different strengths and challenges, just as everyone does throughout life.
Autism is not a learning difficulty, but it is common for autistic people to have co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, epilepsy, OCD, and learning difficulties. Autistic people are also vulnerable to poor mental health, such as high stress and anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Experiencing such mental illness can compound the difficulties and challenges arising from being autistic.
