What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact. More than one in 100 people are on the autism spectrum and there are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK. It is not a disease or illness, but a difference in the way a person’s mind works.
We use the term Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) or autism. You may also hear the term ‘autism spectrum disorder’, which is the formal label used in professional manuals and textbooks but, increasingly, the word ‘neurodivergent’ is used to describe people with conditions linked to differences in brain development, such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia.
There are no medical tests that can diagnose ASC. Professionals will make a diagnosis by gathering information from lots of sources about how a child behaves and communicates. ASC can affect children’s development in these ways:
- Communication
- Understanding other people, social rules and emotions
- Imagination and flexibility, including play skills
- Sensory processing e.g. light, sound, texture
The words ‘spectrum condition’ are used as there can be a wide variety of strengths and differences.
Our service is an assessment one only and children and young people can access therapy services, support in nursery/school as well as the voluntary sector with or without a diagnosis.
Please see the Haringey Local Offer for up-to-date information on available support.
Last updated22 May 2024