What is Autism ?
Autism is a devastating and complex developmental disability that affects a child’s ability to interact with others, to communicate and to use their imagination. Autism enters the lives of families uninvited and unannounced.
There are no signs at birth and no warning to alert parents to what lies ahead.
Children with autism are affected with varying degrees of severity and the condition affects four times as many boys as girls. Sadly there is no cure but there is evidence that early diagnosis, appropriate support and specialist care, especially in the early years, can help children live with dignity and as independently as possible.
Children with autism find the world a very difficult and, often, distressing place. They shun social contact and retreat into a world of their own where they feel safe. They find language hard to understand and facial expressions and gestures are confusing. Frustration and fear make children lash out and their challenging behaviour makes both the children and their families increasingly isolated. But autism not only affects the child, it also has a profound affect on parents and siblings, putting family life under extreme pressure.
Living with Autism: Here is a short (13 minute wmv movie) from the group Autism Speaks: www.autismspeaks.org.uk