Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. Though it is a medical diagnosis, it acts more as a description of a person’s qualities and is associated with strengths in many areas. However, the set of differences associated with ASD can make it hard to meet the expectations of other people.

The symptoms associated with ASD have been traditionally divided into three key areas of difficulty:

However, more recent characterisations reflect the fact that there is both strengths and challenges in each of these areas, and as such two related areas are now used:

1.     Social communication and interaction

2.     Restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests

People with autism may struggle to interact with others socially, whether that involves difficulties with speech and language or non-verbal interaction.

For example, some people with autism may struggle to speak at all, whilst some may speak perfectly but struggle to understand how other people are feeling in social situations.

There are also behavioural characteristics involved with autism, including Restrictive and Repetitive Behaviours and Interests (RRBIs) and unusual sensory responses.

For example, some people with autism may tend to have very narrow interests, tend to repeat the same activities, or be overly sensitive to particular sounds, sights or smells.

Though diagnosis is made on the basis of these difficulties, many autistic people also have enhanced skills, particularly in attention to and memory for detail, and a natural ability with technology.