Autism

What is autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.

What causes autism?

The causes of autism are still unknown and are being investigated. There is strong evidence to suggest that autism can be caused by a variety of physical factors, all of which may affect brain development. Autism is not caused by emotional deprivation or by way a person has been brought up. There is evidence to suggest that genetic factors are responsible for some forms of autism.

Estimated prevalence of autism in the UK

The National Autistic Society estimates there are over half a million people living in Britain today with autism, around one in every 100 people, with more males than females affected.*

Autism is often described as being a spectrum of disorders. The word ‘spectrum’ is used because whilst people with autism will share common areas of difficulty autism will impact upon each person differently and in unique ways. No two people with autism are the same.

The autistic spectrum also includes people who have Aspergers Syndrome. Aspergers Syndrome describes children, young people and adults who show characteristics of autism but are of an average or above average intelligence and have good communication skills.

The link between autism and other disabilities

In the UK there are approximately 1.2 million people with learning disabilities, of which there are 210,000 people with severe or profound learning disabilities. Learning disabilities statistics do not necessarily include people with autism.

It is estimated that 1 in 3 people with a learning disability have a sight problem.

Some studies of children born blind have found that nearly a third of blind children ‘regressed’ at ages between 15 months and 27 months, showing similar behavioural characteristics as children with autism.

Many people with learning disabilities and sight loss appear to have similar difficulties in understanding the actions of others as do people with autism. Many people may appear to share difficulties in managing the sensory world, such as coping with noise, touch from and the proximity of others. 

Support within SeeAbility

We are committed to meeting the needs of the high number of people that we support who have a visual impairment and autism. We support people to live individual lifestyles and provide personalised services.

It is crucial that staff working with people with sight loss and autism are able to use effective and individualised strategies.

SeeAbility's support staff are skilled in supporting people with highly complex and often challenging support needs.

We regularly host training and awareness courses to enable staff to have a better understanding about autism and to equip them with the necessary knowledge and tools to support individuals.

Our ‘Autism Best Practice Group’ enables staff to stay up–to-date with initiatives and maintain best practice.

* National Autistic Society websites 2010.