Autism is a lifelong difference in how the brain develops that shapes how a person communicates, thinks, and takes in light, sound, smell, taste and touch. In adults it is often recognised late, after years of finding social situations, change or busy places hard. Autism is not an illness, and there is no treatment or cure.
Key points
- Autism is a lifelong difference in how the brain develops, not an illness, and is not treated or cured.
- More than one in 100 people are autistic, and at least 700,000 autistic adults and children live in the UK.
- Diagnosis is made by a specialist autism team after a detailed assessment, usually via a GP referral.
- Waits for assessment commonly run well beyond the 13 weeks NICE recommends.
- Masking hides autistic traits, and many autistic women and other late-diagnosed adults were missed because of it.
Symptoms
- Social communication: finding conversation effortful, reading facial expressions or tone differently, taking language literally.
- Routine and repeated behaviour: fixed ways of doing things and distress when routine changes, repeated movements (stimming), focused interests.
- Sensory differences: being much more, or much less, sensitive to light, sound, smell, taste or texture.
Causes and risk factors
- No single cause and no test that identifies one. Evidence points to genetics, probably many genes rather than one.
- Vaccines, paracetamol and parenting style do not cause autism, despite persistent claims.
- Autism is present from birth, so an adult diagnosis means the characteristics were there in childhood and missed.
Treatment
- Autism itself is not treated; NICE recommends no medication for its core features.
- Social learning programmes, structured leisure programmes, skills training for daily living, supported employment schemes.
- Co-occurring mental health conditions are treated following standard guidance, delivered by staff who understand autism, with therapy adapted (more visual material, explicit rules, plain English).
When to speak to a professional
- You recognise these characteristics in yourself and want an assessment; a GP can refer you to the local autism team.
- Low mood, anxiety or exhaustion has lasted weeks and is affecting work or relationships, or you have lost skills you previously had.
If you need help now: Samaritans, call 116 123, free, 24/7. Shout, text SHOUT to 85258. NHS 111, then choose the mental health option. Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger.