Understanding Autism

What is Autism? 

• Autism are lifelong disabilities that, at their core, affect a person's social and communication abilities. 
• People with autism may engage in repetitive actions, for example lining up objects or have specific interests or thoughts that can dominate their lives. Some people with autism find their sensory world unusual and occasionally anxiety provoking. 
• Autism can come with a range of challenges in making sense of the world but it can also give people advantages, such as memory or in concentrating on tasks. 
• The autism spectrum is very broad. Some people have no language, intellectual difficulties and not engage with others. Other people on the autism spectrum may have very good or even advanced language skills but find the rules governing social behaviour hard to fathom. 
• Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls- this related to my news story with Harry Reid 
• Autism affects people of all racial, ethnic backgrounds
• Many individuals on the autism spectrum have additional medical conditions such as epilepsy, sleep difficulties and other mental health problems.

I have a much more clearer understanding of what Autism is, so I went on to collect more facts about Autism.

• 90% of parents of children with Autism (and Asperger Syndrome) report their child has been a target of bullying in the past year 
• 1 in 5 children with Autism have been excluded from school - relates to Harry Reid in my news story
• Only 15% of adults with autism are in full time paid employment 
• Half of adults with Autism still live with their parents

Each year, Autism costs families and public services some £28 billion in the UK. Of this: 

• £15 billion provides services for adults
• £9.2 billion is the cost of lost employment
• £2.7 billion is the cost of supporting children of autism in their education

The remaining costs are the additional family expenses. Harry Reid in my news story is also a sufferer of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 

• Effects 5% of children
• HIgh levels of inattention/short attention spans
• Treatment behaviour management 
• Many parents also report excellent results from a modified diet 
• Suffer hyperactivity and impulsiveness, meaning they fidget, talk too much, and find it difficult to wait their turn.