Autism is a lifelong developmental disability, with around 1.1 per cent of the UK population (more than 700,000 people) being on the autism spectrum. Historically, there has been under-diagnosis of the condition in girls and women, but overall around three quarters of autistic people are male and a quarter are female.1,2
Core features of autism are persistent difficulties in social interaction and communication, the presence of stereotypic rigid and repetitive behaviours, resistance to change and restricted interests. Around two fifths of autistic people have a learning disability.3,4
The ways in which autism manifests itself changes through the course of life. Different interventions and the effect of co-existing conditions which are more likely to occur with autism (see panel) also have an impact.4,5
Anxiety is a particular problem, with many autistic people being affected psychologically and/or physically by social interactions or changes in ‘normal’ daily life. Being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli or a change in routine can be debilitating. There may be a ‘meltdown’ with a loss of behavioural control which may be verbally or physically aggressive. Alternatively, an individual can ‘shut down’, becoming overly passive or ‘switching off’, as they feel unable to process what is going on.1