First identified over 70 years ago, autism is a lifelong developmental disability affecting how a person communicates with and relates to others, and how they make sense of the world. It is a spectrum condition; all people on the spectrum share certain difficulties, but their condition will affect them in different ways.

Around 700,000 people in the UK are on the spectrum, 1 in every 100 people. There are no blood tests or brain scans that will detect autism – so what exactly are we talking about? Does autism actually exist?

What will you achieve?

• Explain what autism is, and evaluate whether it really exists
• Identify social communication skills and explain what happens if they do not develop as expected
• Summarise knowledge of sensory and repetitive behaviours, and whether such behaviours are advantages or disadvantages
• Explain why many people on the autism spectrum have co-occurring conditions
• Identify the origins of strengths and difficulties experienced by people on the autism spectrum
• Explore and discuss lived experiences of people on the autism spectrum