Understanding autism

Understanding autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that is present from birth, although autistic traits can be recognised at any age.

Autism represents a spectrum of differences, which means that autistic people all have different strengths and can face different challenges. However, there are some common signs of autism and particular traits which are recognised during the diagnosis process.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC) are the medical terms used to describe autism. The term Asperger syndrome was historically used to describe a particular form of autism – usually in people who do not have significant language developmental delay or a learning disability – but it is no longer given as a distinct diagnosis, and is now considered to be part of the different autism profiles that exist within the overarching diagnosis of ASC. The name Asperger syndrome is also avoided by many now due to what is known about Hans Asperger’s history (read more about the term Asperger syndrome on the National Autistic Society website).

It is estimated that at least 1 in 100 people are autistic, although more recent studies indicate that autism may be much more common than this.

Autism support

Autistic traits

Diagnosis of autism

“People say that I don’t look autistic – but there isn’t a look to autism”

Kit, Poole

Autism support

A range of support is available for autistic children, young people and adults. This includes local specialist organisations, peer support groups, autism charities, advocacy services, emotional health support services and more. Help is also available for family members who need it, with a range of peer-led groups and organisations available in the Dorset community.

Find out more about local and national support for autism using the buttons below.

Autistic traits

Autism is a spectrum condition that affects people in different ways. It is not linear, and the strengths and challenges that exist as part of someone’s autism can change over their lifetime.

To learn more about the signs of autism in children, young people and adults visit Signs of autism (NHS) or What is autism? (National Autistic Society).

Signs of autism

Autistic people may:

  • face social communication and interaction challenges
  • have differences in sensory processing, such as being over-sensitive or under-sensitive to certain stimuli such as sound, light, touch or taste
  • find it hard to always understand what others are thinking or feeling, and find it hard to say how they feel
  • take things very literally
  • prefer the same routines every day
  • have strong attention to detail
  • have a keen interest in certain subjects or activities.

Other autistic characteristics can include:

  • not understanding social rules
  • avoiding eye contact (though many autistic people are comfortable making eye contact with others)
  • above average creative or technical skills
  • getting too close to other people or getting upset if someone touches or gets too close to you
  • repetitive behaviour such as hand flapping, rocking or twirling a pen, sometimes called ‘stimming’ (short for self-stimulating behaviour)
  • noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds
  • liking to plan very carefully.

Signs of autism

Every autistic person is unique but there are some common traits that people may experience to differing degrees.

Autistic people may:

  • face social communication and interaction challenges
  • have differences in sensory processing, such as being over-sensitive or under-sensitive to certain stimuli such as sound, light, touch or taste
  • find it hard to always understand what others are thinking or feeling, and find it hard to say how they feel
  • take things very literally
  • prefer the same routines every day
  • have strong attention to detail
  • have a keen interest in certain subjects or activities.

Other autistic characteristics can include:

  • not understanding social rules
  • avoiding eye contact (though many autistic people are comfortable making eye contact with others)
  • above average creative or technical skills
  • getting too close to other people or getting upset if someone touches or gets too close to you
  • repetitive behaviour such as hand flapping, rocking or twirling a pen, sometimes called ‘stimming’ (short for self-stimulating behaviour)
  • noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds
  • liking to plan very carefully.

Signs of autism in young children

Signs of autism in young children can include:

  • not responding to their name
  • avoiding eye contact
  • not smiling when you smile at them
  • getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or sound
  • repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their body
  • not talking as much as other children
  • not doing as much pretend play
  • repeating the same phrases

Signs of autism can be different in boys and girls. Girls may show fewer signs of repetitive behaviour and seem to cope better in social situations, but withdraw from situations they find difficult. Read more about autism in women and girls in the National Autistic Society’s guide to autism in women and girls.

Signs of autism in young children

Signs of autism in young children can vary significantly and there are often differences between how autism presents in boys and girls.

Signs of autism in young children can include:

  • not responding to their name
  • avoiding eye contact
  • not smiling when you smile at them
  • getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or sound
  • repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their body
  • not talking as much as other children
  • not doing as much pretend play
  • repeating the same phrases

Signs of autism can be different in boys and girls. Girls may show fewer signs of repetitive behaviour and seem to cope better in social situations, but withdraw from situations they find difficult. Read more about autism in women and girls in the National Autistic Society’s guide to autism in women and girls.

How is autism diagnosed?

The formal diagnostic criteria for autism look at two key sets of behaviours (to include social, emotional, cognitive and sensory behaviours):

  • Cluster A – Differences in social communication, social motivation and social interaction (which can create challenges)
  • Cluster B – Repetitive and restrictive patterns of behaviours or interests (which include sensory experiences).

If you believe that you or your child are displaying signs of autism and you want to find out more, you can learn more about autistic traits on this page. If you would like to talk to someone about it, you can also speak to the following professionals:

  • Your health visitor for children under five
  • The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) for children in school – if you don’t know who that is, the school’s office will be able to help
  • Your GP or another healthcare professional.

They may suggest an autism assessment.

Some people may recognise signs of autism in themselves but choose not to pursue a diagnosis. If you feel you may be autistic but don’t want a diagnosis, there is plenty of autism support still available should you need it. Read more about autism support in the support and advice section of this website.

The Community Adult Aspergers Service (CAAS) oversees the diagnosis process for adults. Find out more about CAAS services on the Dorset HealthCare website.

If you are under the care of the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) a diagnosis will be overseen by a professional within that team.

About autism assessments

An autism assessment will be carried out by autism specialists. You may need to wait several months for an appointment, and it can take some time for the assessment to be completed, as a range of professionals need to be involved.

If you need support whilst you’re waiting for an appointment, or for an assessment to be completed, you can talk to a healthcare professional about accessing support, or find out more about help available in Dorset in the support and advice section of this website.

All autism assessments are carried out using a set of criteria for autism, found in diagnostic manuals called the ICD-10 and the DSM-5. You can read more about these in the National Autistic Society’s guide to diagnostic criteria.

Find out what might happen during an autism assessment on the NHS website guide to autism assessments.

Autism assessments in Dorset

When a child or young person requires a diagnosis of autism, they will access the ‘Development and Behaviour pathway’. A ‘pathway’ is a term used in healthcare to describe a process that is followed in the diagnosis or treatment of a particular condition.

The Development and Behaviour pathway is the route to specialist services and diagnostic assessment for autism. There are pathway teams at the hospitals in Poole and Dorchester, each with their own way of navigating the pathway and criteria to assessment.

Children and young people who are under the care of the Children and Adult Mental Health Services (CAMHS) may also be assessed through that service. Please speak to your lead professional in CAMHS if this is relevant to you or your child. Assessments for autism through CAMHS take place through the Dorset HealthCare Neurodevelopmental Assessment Centre.

You can learn more about the development and behaviour pathways on the NHS Dorset website.

The following diagrams also explain more about pathways for different ages:

Children in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole postcodes will usually be assessed through University Hospitals Dorset’s Child Development Centre (CDC). You can learn more about the assessment journey and the people you will meet on the CDC website.

Children in the Dorset Council area will usually be assessed through Dorset County Hospital. You can learn more about the assessment process on the Dorset County Hospital website.

What happens after an assessment for a child or young person?

Once an assessment is complete, parents and carers are given information about support available at home and at school.

A number of children who come in for an autism assessment will not receive a diagnosis of autism. If this is the case, the team will discuss your child’s strengths and difficulties and make recommendations about further sources of support your child should receive.

Many of the children that are referred for autism assessments have other difficulties in addition to or instead of autism that may need further assessment. If this is the case children will be referred on to onto the relevant services

Assessments for adults

The referral route for adult assessments is via your GP. Other healthcare professionals and trusted professionals can also provide you with guidance and help you to access support, but your GP will usually be the person who refers you to begin the diagnosis process. Your GP may be able to suggest some support options for you instead of or as well as referring you for an assessment.

Autism assessments in Dorset

Autism assessments in Dorset take place through different routes, depending on the age and circumstances of the individual.

When a child or young person requires a diagnosis of autism, they will access the ‘Development and Behaviour pathway’. A ‘pathway’ is a term used in healthcare to describe a process that is followed in the diagnosis or treatment of a particular condition.

The Development and Behaviour pathway is the route to specialist services and diagnostic assessment for autism. There are pathway teams at the hospitals in Poole and Dorchester, each with their own way of navigating the pathway and criteria to assessment.

Children and young people who are under the care of the Children and Adult Mental Health Services (CAMHS) may also be assessed through that service. Please speak to your lead professional in CAMHS if this is relevant to you or your child. Assessments for autism through CAMHS take place through the Dorset HealthCare Neurodevelopmental Assessment Centre.

You can learn more about the development and behaviour pathways on the NHS Dorset website.

The following diagrams also explain more about pathways for different ages:

Children in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole postcodes will usually be assessed through University Hospitals Dorset’s Child Development Centre (CDC). You can learn more about the assessment journey and the people you will meet on the CDC website.

Children in the Dorset Council area will usually be assessed through Dorset County Hospital. You can learn more about the assessment process on the Dorset County Hospital website.

What happens after an assessment for a child or young person?

Once an assessment is complete, parents and carers are given information about support available at home and at school.

A number of children who come in for an autism assessment will not receive a diagnosis of autism. If this is the case, the team will discuss your child’s strengths and difficulties and make recommendations about further sources of support your child should receive.

Many of the children that are referred for autism assessments have other difficulties in addition to or instead of autism that may need further assessment. If this is the case children will be referred on to onto the relevant services

Assessments for adults

The referral route for adult assessments is via your GP. Other healthcare professionals and trusted professionals can also provide you with guidance and help you to access support, but your GP will usually be the person who refers you to begin the diagnosis process. Your GP may be able to suggest some support options for you instead of or as well as referring you for an assessment.

“I’ve proved that with the right support, we can all have hope”

Arsenal, Bournemouth