An autism diagnosis can make a huge difference to someone. Suddenly they have an explanation for long-term difficulties and experiences. It can also help explain to others the need for support and the form it should take.
Dr Dina Gazizova - MBBS, MRCPsych
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by difficulties in communication, social interactions, and restricted or stereotyped behaviours and interests.
Like many other developmental disorders, autism symptoms can change with age as the person matures, learns compensatory techniques or adopts lifestyle choices that make it easier to manage the impairments that autism can cause. However, some of the symptoms of autism may only become obvious with the social and functional demands of adulthood, for example, needing to work in teams or in romantic relationships.
An autism diagnosis can make a big difference to your quality of life. Not only will you gain an understanding of the areas you struggle with, but it may help with work and relationships while ensuring you receive the right support.
Read more about our autism assessments.
Who does autism affect?
Until the early 1990s, the prevalence of autism was uniformly low in the region of 3–4 per 10,000. Since then, the rate has been increasing, such that the most recent estimates are between one in 88 and one in 100 children. This rate increase is probably due to:
- Changing diagnostic criteria
- A broadening of the autism concept
- Improved services
- Increased awareness of the condition
Studies also show that an autism diagnosis is about three times more common for males than females. Diagnosing autism in women can be more challenging; it's thought that women can better mask some of the social interaction problems often experienced with autism and hence ‘slip under the radar’ at school or later in life.