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Autism is a life-long brain disorder that is normally diagnosed in early childhood.
People with autism have difficulties communicating, forming relationships with others and find it hard to make sense of the world around them.
Autism is a spectrum disorder varying in severity and impact from individual to individual, ranging from those with no speech and severe learning disabilities to people with IQs in the average range who are able to hold down a job or start a family. People with autism may also have unusual patterns of language development, narrow interests and engage in repetitive and sometimes challenging behaviours.
Asperger's Syndrome is a form of autism in which speech development and IQ are normal, but in which social disability can be compounded by depression and mental health problems.
Some people with autism demonstrate significantly challenging behaviours; most need specialist support and care.
First identified more than 50 years ago, autism affects half a million people in the UK – tens of millions worldwide - and is one of the most common developmental disorders.
Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.
Autism affects people of all racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.