Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It simply means your brain works in a different way from other people.
There are several signs which could indicate that a person may autistic. People with autism may:
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.
It is important to know that autism is not a medical condition. Because of this there is no cure for autism.
Autism is something you’re born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you’re very young, or not until you’re older. If you’re autistic, you’re autistic your whole life.
Noone knows what causes autism, or if it has a cause. Autism is:
It can affect people in the same family. So it may sometimes be passed on to a child by their parents.
If you think you or your child may be autistic, the first step is to contact your GP or health visitor for advice. You can talk to them about the symptoms you or your child is experiencing.
Ask them about referring you or your child 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.
You can also read the NHS autism guide for more information on what to expect and where to get support.
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Your GP practice team has a range of healthcare professionals that can support you. Find out more about how they can help.
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