Autistic people see, hear and feel the world in a different way from other people. If you are autistic, you are autistic for life – autism is not an 'illness' and cannot be 'cured'. Often people feel being autistic as a fundamental aspect of their identity.

You might hear people say that autism is a spectrum condition. This means that, while all autistic people share certain difficulties, being autistic will affect them in different ways. Some autistic people also have learning disabilities and other conditions. As a result, people need different levels of support. Autistic people may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.

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.
Autism includes a spectrum of conditions, which means that while all people share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.

Asperger syndrome is part of the autism spectrum. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech, but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language. They may also have difficulties understanding some of the rules governing social interaction.

Autism is often defined by its difficulties, but many report it can also bring benefits. The cognitive strengths of some individuals may mean that they can focus on tasks without breaks in concentration, and individuals on the autism spectrum report the enjoyment they get from their unique way of thinking and perspective of the world.