Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people act across a broad spectrum.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autistic people may have problems with social, emotional and communication skills.
Other people may find bright lights or loud noises overwhelming and stressful, or may exhibit repetitive behaviors.
Autism is not a disease.
How common is it?
It is estimated that around 700,000 people, including adults and children, in the UK have a diagnosis of autism.
According to a Newcastle University study published in 2021, around one in 57 children (1.76%) in the UK are on the spectrum.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 5.4 million adults, or about 2.2 percent of the population, are autistic.
People of all nationalities and cultural, religious and social backgrounds can have autism.
However, rates are up to five times higher in men and children.
The exact reason is still unclear, but some studies suggest that children are at higher risk for the various genetic causes of autism.
Researchers also believe many girls may be “falling through the cracks” because they have difficulty getting a diagnosis, receive it late in life or are misdiagnosed with conditions other than autism.
Are there different types?
Previously, autism was divided into different diagnoses, including Asperger syndrome, autistic disorder, Kanner syndrome, childhood autism, atypical autism, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
Because each diagnosis shared features of autism, they were replaced by autism spectrum disorder, which is now the umbrella term for the group.
However, some people diagnosed with Asperger’s still choose to use the term.
According to the National Autistic Society, people with Asperger’s syndrome do not have the learning disabilities that many autistic people have. The NHS says some people call it “high-functioning autism.”
What causes it?
Despite years of research, scientists do not know what causes autism.
Instead, studies have suggested that it may develop from a combination of genetic and environmental influences.
In the late 1990s, concerns arose about a possible link between MMR vaccines and autism.
But numerous scientific studies have since shown that there is no link between vaccines (or any of their ingredients) and autism.
Bad parenting is not a cause either.