Autistic Children and Young People

What is autism?

Child Autism is a condition that affects how an individual communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.

Autistic children and young people vary enormously but they all share the two 'core' features of autism:

- persistent difficulties with social communicationautisticand social interaction. For example, they may find it hard to begin or carry on a conversation, they may not understand social rules such as how far to stand from somebody else, or they may find it difficult to make friends.

- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities. For example, they may develop an overwhelming interest in something, they may follow inflexible routines or rituals, they may make repetitive body movements, or they may be hypersensitive to certain sounds.

Autistic children and young people also have significant strengths. These often include reliability, a good eye for detail, producing highly accurate work, an excellent memory for facts and figures, and the ability to thrive in a structured, well-organised work environment.

More about Autism

Diagnosis

Getting a diagnosis of autism can be a positive thing. It means you have an explanation for some of the difficulties your child may be experiencing, and it may also give you access to services and support.

The process of getting a diagnosis varies from country to country and sometimes even within the same country. In the UK you start the process by contacting your GP or health visitor who will then refer you on to more specialist services.

More about Diagnosis

Challenges

Autistic children and young people - and their parents and carers- face many issues and challenges on a day to day basis. Some issues - such as difficulties with communication or excessive anxiety - affect many people with autism, whatever their age. Other issues - such as finding the right school - are more likely to affect children with autism.

However it is important to remember that each child is a unique individual, with unique needs and abilities. Because of this, he or she will experience those issues in a unique way or may not experience them at all.

More about Issues and challenges facing children and young people on the autism spectrum

Interventions

There are a number of interventions - treatments and therapies - that are designed to improve the quality of life for autistic children and young people. There are also some interventions that are designed to improve the quality of life of parents and carers.

However there is no one-size fits all solution. Each child or young person is a unique individual, with unique needs and abilities. The most effective interventions are personalised to meet the unique characteristics of each individual.

More about Interventions for children and young people on the autism spectrum

Rights

As the parent or carer of an autistic person living in the UK you have some legal rights, especially if your child has a formal diagnosis of autism. This is because the government considers autism to be a disability.

More about Rights for children and young people on the autism spectrum

Services

Many countries provide services to help autistic children and young people, although the range and qualify of those services varies enormously between countries and may even vary within the same country.

Some services - such as some specialist schools - are specifically designed to help autistic children. Other services are designed to help a range of people, irrespective of their age or disability

More about Services for children and young people on the autism spectrum

Publications

Autism diagnosis in children and young people: Recognition, referral and diagnosis of children and young people on the autism spectrum. (2011). London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Read Full Item (website page)
What you need to know about children and young people on the autism spectrum. (2016). London: Research Autism. Read Full Item (PDF document)
Jackson L. (2002). Freaks, geeks and Asperger syndrome. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
National autism plan for children (NAPC): Plan for the identification, assessment, diagnosis and access to early interventions for pre-school and primary school aged children with autism spectrum disorders. (2003). London: National Autistic Society.
The management and support of children and young people on the autism spectrum. (2013). London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Read Full Item (website page)
Therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders. (2012). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Rockville, MD. Read Full Item (PDF document)
What is good practice in autism education? (2011). London: Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), Department of Psychology and Human Development, Institute of Education, University of London.

More Publications on children and young people on the autism spectrum

Organisations

Autism Education Trust (Open in New Window) UK charity which aims to coordinate, support and promote effective education practice for all children and young people on the autism spectrum.
Autism NI (Open in New Window) Parent led partnership organisation having been formed to promote positive collaboration between parents, professionals and individuals with autism to address the need for appropriate services
Irish Society for Autism (Open in New Window) National charity for people with autism in Ireland
National Autistic Society (Open in New Window) The leading UK charity for people with autism and their families. We provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism
Scottish Autism (Open in New Window) Charity that exists to help those diagnosed with autism to lead full and enriched lives and become valuable members of the community they live in.

More Organisations and websites about children and young people on the autism spectrum

Forums for Parents/Carers

ASD-Friendly - UK discussion forum which describes itself as "a support network of parents with Autistic and Aspergers children, who discuss life as we know it" (Open in New Window)
Autism And Aspergers In The Family Living with Autistic Spectrum Disorder Support forum for parents/carers and professionals associated with ASD run by shell, who has autism and is also a parent of children with autism (Open in New Window)

More Autism forums

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) is a UK agency which provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.

NICE has produced a range of clinical guidance on the topic of children and young people on the autism spectrum

More about NICE: Guidance on Children and Young People with Autism