Autism

Background

Features of autism are usually present in early childhood and are persistent, but may not become apparent until a change in the child or young person's life, such as transition to school. Difficulties can affect personal, social, educational, occupational, or other functioning, and are usually observable in all settings.

NICE defines the term 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' as behaviourally defined, broad and heterogeneous, encompassing autism, Asperger's syndrome, and atypical autism. It is a lifelong condition with a variable prognosis depending on the child/young person's age, developmental level, and associated conditions and difficulties.

The National Autistic Society explains autism as “a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world”. Many autistic advocates embrace the social model of disability and view a range of neurological differences as being part of a natural human variation (neurodiversity).

There is no single cause for autism but a number of different genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors are thought to be involved.

Autism may be co-associated with a range of other difficulties including:

• Neurodevelopmental: including learning disability, severe visual and hearing impairments, motor or co-ordination disorders, tic disorders and Tourette’s syndrome, speech and language disorders, epilepsy, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Mental health: including anxiety, depression and conduct disorder.
• Functional: including sleep, diet and nutrition, and bladder and bowel.
• Autistic people face discrimination and inequalities including: social isolation, exclusion, bullying, child exploitation and maltreatment, and carer stress.
• Pathological Demand avoidance

It should be recognised that the medical model for the diagnosis of Autism is not universally accepted and terms such as “disorder” and “deficit” can be considered ableist.

Guidelines

ASD in adults: diagnosis and management (CG142)

ASD in under 19s: recognition, referral and diagnosis (CG128)

ASD in under 19s: support and management (CG170)

Screening and Assessment Tools

For Screening and Assessment Tools please visit the resources section of this website