Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterised by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behaviour and difficulties with social communication and interaction. The symptoms are present from early childhood and affect daily functioning.
It is lifelong and affects how people communicate and interact with others and how they perceive the world. Cognitive ability can range from intellectual disability to gifted. Some people have great variations in their abilities with strengths in some areas and challenges in others.
Although all people with ASD share two main areas of difficulty, the condition will affect them in different ways. Dr Stephen Shore’s quote emphasises the diversity within the autism spectrum,
“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.”
