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Autistic people may:

  • find it hard to communicate and interact with other people
  • find it hard to understand how other people think or feel
  • find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable
  • get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events
  • take longer to understand information
  • do or think the same things over and over


Signs of autism in children
  • you think your child might be autistic

You could speak to:

  • a GP
  • a health visitor (for children under 5)
  • any other health professional your child sees, such as another doctor or therapist
  • special educational needs (SENCO) staff at your child's school

Getting diagnosed can help your child get any extra support they might need.

I'm concerned about my child's progress

Getting diagnosed

If you or your child have signs of autism, the next step is to talk to someone about it.

You could speak to:

  • a GP
  • a health visitor (for children under 5)
  • any other health professional you or your child see, such as another doctor or therapist
  • special educational needs (SENCO) staff at your child's school

Ask them if they think it's a good idea to refer you for an autism assessment.

An assessment is done by autism specialists. It's the only way to find out if you or your child are autistic.

Getting diagnosed

An autism assessment is where a team of autism specialists check if you or your child are autistic.

An assessment team may:

  • ask about any problems you or your child are having
  • watch how you or your child interact with other people
  • speak to people who know you or your child well, such as family, friends, your GP or your child's teachers

At the end of the assessment, you'll be given a report saying if you or your child are autistic.

Find out about autism assessments

Newly diagnosed

Give yourself time

People react to a diagnosis of autism in different ways.

For some, it's a relief to find out why they or their child think, feel and act the way they do. For others, it can be a shock.

Try to give yourself time to come to terms with the diagnosis.

Remember:

  • help and support is available
  • even if things are hard now, they can get better
  • you or your child are still the same person as before
  • autism is not an illness or disease with treatments or a "cure"
  • autistic people have things they're good at as well as things they need help with


Autism is not an illness

Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It means your brain works in a different way from other people.

It's something you're born with or first appears when you're very young.

If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life.

Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a "cure". But some people need support to help them with certain things.

Autistic people can live a full life

Being autistic does not have to stop you having a good life.

Like everyone, autistic people have things they're good at as well as things they struggle with.

Being autistic does not mean you can never make friends, have relationships or get a job. But you might need extra help with these things.

Autism is different for everyone

Autism is a spectrum. This means everybody with autism is different.

Some autistic people need little or no support. Others may need help from a parent or carer every day.

Some people use other names for autism

There are other names for autism used by some people, such as:

  • autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – the medical name for autism
  • autism spectrum condition (ASC) – used instead of ASD by some people
  • Asperger's (or Asperger syndrome) – used by some people to describe autistic people with average or above average intelligence


Autistic people can have any level of intelligence

Some autistic people have average or above average intelligence.

Some autistic people have a learning disability. This means they may find it hard to look after themselves and need help with daily life.

Where to get support

Telling people close to you about your or your child's autism diagnosis can help them understand what this means.

They may be able to help with:

  • everyday things so you have more time to focus on yourself or your child
  • emotional support


Where to get support

National Autistic Society

For parents of autistic children, young autistic people and autistic adults.

  • Call: 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3pm)
  • Website: www.autism.org.uk

Ambitious about Autism

For autistic children and young people, their parents and carers.


Where to get support

The assessment team that diagnosed you or your child should give you information on local support groups.

You can also search for local groups using:

Where to get support

Important

Comments on social media and forums are often based on personal experience and should not be taken as advice that would help you or your child.

There are many people with experience of autism offering support and sharing their stories on forums and social media.

You do not have to talk to others in online groups, but it can be helpful to look at what they're saying.

A good place to start is the groups run by autism charities. But bear in mind the NHS does not monitor these sites.

Facebook

Twitter

Forums and communities


Find out more about autism

It might help you and your family to find out more about autism.

There can be quite a lot to take in. You do not have to read everything.

You can get trusted information from:


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