Autism: What Is It?

Autism influences the ways in which people experience and interact with the world. It’s a lifelong neurodivergence and disability. Autistic individuals tend to differ from one another, but for a diagnosis, they must share differences from non-autistic people  in the way they think, feel and communicate. 

Being autistic can look different for everybody. It may mean that you feel things differently, you may find socialising confusing and tiring or you may become overwhelmed in loud or crowded spaces. You might have intense interests and hobbies or none at all. You might mask your discomfort to fit in. You might love routine, or maybe you don’t know the meaning of the word schedule - it can affect people in different ways.

Is autism common? 

Studies show that more than one in one hundred individuals are autistic, and there’s estimated to be at least 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK alone. People from all walks of life, all ages, genders and ethnicities can be autistic. However, those from marginalised groups can face more barriers when it comes to getting help and a diagnosis due to the lack of awareness about the diversity of autistic people. 

The spectrum 

Autism is often best understood as a spectrum. In the past, it’s been thought that the spectrum has a straight line between “more” and “less” autistic. This isn’t right. Today, we understand the spectrum to mean each autistic individual has a unique combination of characteristics. 

The presence and visibility of these characteristics can vary a lot between individuals. The characteristics can also change intensity over time due to environmental factors or whether the person has been masking their true feelings. It’s important not to make assumptions about an individual autistic person's skills, abilities or support needs. 

Autism isn’t directly a learning disability, nor a mental health condition - however, around a third of autistic people also have a learning disability, and those with autism can be more likely to experience mental health problems. 

The “Core Characteristics” of Autism

There can be many signs that a child or adult may be autistic, but not always. To get an autism diagnosis, a specialist team must agree that the individual in question showcases the core characteristics of autism. 

Communication

Autistic people may have different ways of communication. They may use words, tone, body language, gestures and facial expressions differently to others. 

Some autistic individuals have intermittent, limited or no speech. These people might communicate through a mix of sign language, writing, gestures, sounds or by using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) such as picture cards or high tech devices. 

Behaviours and Interests

A lot of previous medical and professional literary works refer to these differences as “restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests” (RRBIs). These behaviours must be seen as affecting every day function for a diagnosis to be made. 

On the contrary, many autistic people see these behavioural characteristics as positive and helpful for their mental state. Some describe the behavior as stimming, or self-regulatory; ways to keep their nerves down and keep them happy and occupied. 

These behaviors include having or showing:

• Focused interests - a very strong passion for a hobby, a pop culture figure, movie or an academic interest

  
  

• Repeated movements - this can be seen in variety of ways, but some common movements include shaking a leg when sitting, fidgeting, hair twirling or spinning constantly on an office chair

  
  

• Preference for order or routine - such as wanting to know in-depth plans, rules, meal routines or needed to do activities in a certain order   

  
  

Sensory Processing

Autistic people can be significantly more or less sensitive than non-autistic people to the five main senses, as well as the senses for balance, spatial awareness and awareness of internal bodily states, such as temperature and thirst. 

Individuals can be very sensitive to one type of input, but not necessarily sensitive to another - their reactions can change too depending on the situation, environment and current mindset.  Sensory processing differences are often considered RRBI’s (see above) due to the reaction they may cause, such as avoiding or seeking out specific input. 

For those more impacted on the spectrum, non-verbal or require extra assistance 

With people who are more impacted, they will have more needs in areas such as communication and sensory issues, and will sometimes need more support with daily living. If an individual is non-verbal, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re higher impacted. Don’t presume a person’s intellectual capacity based on them being low-non verbal.

We have some tips that can help when an individual requires some extra assistance: 

• Pause after giving instructions so the person has time to process the verbal information

• Offer written directions or a checklist for routine tasks

• Give choices in a conversations 

• Have an individual repeat important information to confirm their understanding

• Using pictures or drawings to help with communication 

• Visual schedules in which you provide photos or graphics can be helpful 

• If the individual isn’t the biggest talker, build in breaks so help them remain calm and focused

If someone is non-verbal:

• Ask their families or current caregiver about preferred communication methods

• Learn what assistive devices they use - smartphones apps, text to speech etc

• Always look at the individual when talking to them, don’t talk about them like they’re not there

• Pair your verbal communication with gestures 

• Face them when you’re talking to them 

• Always communicate what you’re doing and what your plans are

  
  

Autism Support Work

As a support worker, there are autism specialization paths that you could follow in order to progress your care career. Autism support workers are professionally trained and qualified to provide support for service users with autism across a wide selection of environments. They can work in community settings, support living accommodations and within service users’ own homes.

An autism support worker helps both children and adults learn to live with autism as independently as possible, providing practical help and emotion support. 

If you’re a dedicated, empathetic, hard working individual looking for a support worker role, get in touch today! We’d love to hear from you!