Autism - My Story - Rosalind | NHS

What is autism?

Autism is a difference in how some people's brains work. It can affect how they see the world, talk to others, and learn new things.

People with autism might like things to be the same every day. They might not like loud noises or bright lights.

Everyone with autism is different. Some people might need more help, and others might need less.

If you want to know more, you can ask a teacher, family member, or use a computer to find information. Tools like pictures or videos can also help you understand better.

How do doctors know if someone has autism?

Doctors look for signs and talk to you and your family. They ask questions about how you talk, play, and learn. Doctors may watch you play and do activities with you. They check to see if you do things like other kids your age.

If you find this hard to understand, you can ask someone you trust to explain. You could also use pictures and videos to help you learn.

What Are the Signs of Autism?

Here are some signs that someone might have autism:

• It can be hard for them to talk to other people.
• They might not look at people’s faces when talking.
• They might not like loud noises or bright lights.
• They might want to do the same thing every day.
• They might really like one topic or subject.
• It can be hard for them to understand how other people feel.

If you think you or someone you know might have autism, it is a good idea to talk to a doctor. They can help.

Pictures, storyboards, and apps can help make things clearer. Ask a grown-up if you need help.

Can autism be cured?

Autism is something that stays with a person for their whole life. There is no cure for autism.

But people with autism can get help to make their lives better.

Some things that help are:

• Special teaching to learn new skills.
• Therapies like talking to someone about feelings.
• Support from family and friends.

Everyone with autism is different, so what helps one person might be different for another.

What causes autism?

Autism is something that affects the brain. It makes people see and understand the world in different ways.

Scientists are not sure exactly what causes autism, but they think it has to do with:

• The genes you get from your parents. Genes are like instructions that decide how your body works.
• Things that happen to you before you are born or when you are a baby, like if your mom got sick when she was pregnant.
• The world around us, like air quality or other things in the environment.

To learn more about autism, you can:

• Talk with a doctor or a teacher.
• Explore kid-friendly websites together with an adult.

Can doctors find out if grown-ups have autism?

Yes, doctors can find out if grown-ups have autism. Autism is something you are born with, but not everyone is told they have it when they are kids.

Some grown-ups might wonder if they have autism. They can go to a doctor to check. The doctor will ask questions and talk to them to see if they have autism.

If you think you might have autism, you can:

• Talk to your doctor.
• Find a specialist who knows about autism.
• Ask for help from someone you trust.

There are also tools that can help, like:

• Online quizzes to check for autism signs.
• Support groups to talk to other people.

Help for People with Autism in the UK

There is help for people with autism in the UK. Here are some things that can help:

• Support Groups: Join a group to meet other people with autism.
• Therapists: Talk to someone who knows how to help with autism.
• Special Schools: Go to a school that knows how to teach kids with autism.
• Job Help: Get help to find and keep a job.
• Advisors: Speak to people who can give advice about autism.

These tools can also help:

• Use a calendar to remember important dates.
• Write lists to remember what to do each day.
• Use pictures to show how you feel.

There are many people ready to help you. You are not alone!

Do more boys have autism than girls?

Are there any medicines for autism?

Some people with autism take medicines. These medicines can help with feelings and behaviors.

Talk to a doctor before taking any medicines. They can say if the medicine is right for you.

It helps to use tools like picture cards or schedules. These can help make daily tasks easier.

Can autistic people live on their own?

Some autistic people can live on their own. Some need help with daily tasks. Everyone is different.

Tools that can help include schedules, reminders, or apps. Friends and family can also give support.

What helps kids with autism learn at school?

Some kids have autism. They may learn in a different way.

Here are some things that can help them:

• Special teachers: These teachers know how to help kids with autism.
• Extra time: Kids with autism might need more time for tests or homework.
• Quiet spaces: A calm place can help kids focus better.
• Technology: Tools like tablets or computers can make learning easier.
• Visual aids: Pictures or charts can help explain things.

These supports can help kids with autism do their best in school.

How can I help a friend or family member with autism?

Do you have a friend or family member with autism? Here are some ways you can help:

• Listen: Pay attention when they talk. It shows you care.
• Be patient: Sometimes they need more time to do things or explain how they feel.
• Ask how you can help: Everyone is different, so it's good to ask what they need.
• Learn about autism: Find out more so you understand better.
• Use pictures or simple words: This can make talking easier.
• Give them space: Sometimes they might want to be alone, and that's okay.

Remember, being kind and understanding helps a lot!

What does sensory sensitivity mean for people with autism?

Some people with autism have something called sensory sensitivity. This means their senses, like hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and touching, can be stronger. Things might feel too loud, too bright, or too much for them.

Here are some ways to help:

• Use noise-canceling headphones to make sounds quieter.
• Wear sunglasses to keep out bright lights.
• Choose clothes that feel soft and comfortable.
• Find quiet and calm places to relax.
• Practice deep breathing to feel calm.

How can jobs help people with autism?

Here is how jobs can help:

• Make quiet spaces: Create calm areas for people to work.
• Use clear words: Talk in simple words that are easy to understand.
• Give written plans: Write down tasks so people know what to do.
• Be patient: Give people time to think and answer.
• Offer headphones: Let people use headphones to block noise.
• Suggest tools: Use pictures or apps to help people learn.

These ideas can help people with autism do well at work.

What is a place that is good for people with autism?

What is autism?

Autism is a difference in how some people's brains work. It can affect how they see the world, talk to others, and learn new things.

People with autism might like things to be the same every day. They might not like loud noises or bright lights.

Everyone with autism is different. Some people might need more help, and others might need less.

If you want to know more, you can ask a teacher, family member, or use a computer to find information. Tools like pictures or videos can also help you understand better.

How do doctors know if someone has autism?

Doctors look for signs and talk to you and your family. They ask questions about how you talk, play, and learn. Doctors may watch you play and do activities with you. They check to see if you do things like other kids your age.

If you find this hard to understand, you can ask someone you trust to explain. You could also use pictures and videos to help you learn.

What Are the Signs of Autism?

Here are some signs that someone might have autism:

• It can be hard for them to talk to other people.
• They might not look at people’s faces when talking.
• They might not like loud noises or bright lights.
• They might want to do the same thing every day.
• They might really like one topic or subject.
• It can be hard for them to understand how other people feel.

If you think you or someone you know might have autism, it is a good idea to talk to a doctor. They can help.

Pictures, storyboards, and apps can help make things clearer. Ask a grown-up if you need help.

Can autism be cured?

Autism is something that stays with a person for their whole life. There is no cure for autism.

But people with autism can get help to make their lives better.

Some things that help are:

• Special teaching to learn new skills.
• Therapies like talking to someone about feelings.
• Support from family and friends.

Everyone with autism is different, so what helps one person might be different for another.

What causes autism?

Autism is something that affects the brain. It makes people see and understand the world in different ways.

Scientists are not sure exactly what causes autism, but they think it has to do with:

• The genes you get from your parents. Genes are like instructions that decide how your body works.
• Things that happen to you before you are born or when you are a baby, like if your mom got sick when she was pregnant.
• The world around us, like air quality or other things in the environment.

To learn more about autism, you can:

• Talk with a doctor or a teacher.
• Explore kid-friendly websites together with an adult.

Can doctors find out if grown-ups have autism?

Yes, doctors can find out if grown-ups have autism. Autism is something you are born with, but not everyone is told they have it when they are kids.

Some grown-ups might wonder if they have autism. They can go to a doctor to check. The doctor will ask questions and talk to them to see if they have autism.

If you think you might have autism, you can:

• Talk to your doctor.
• Find a specialist who knows about autism.
• Ask for help from someone you trust.

There are also tools that can help, like:

• Online quizzes to check for autism signs.
• Support groups to talk to other people.

Help for People with Autism in the UK

There is help for people with autism in the UK. Here are some things that can help:

• Support Groups: Join a group to meet other people with autism.
• Therapists: Talk to someone who knows how to help with autism.
• Special Schools: Go to a school that knows how to teach kids with autism.
• Job Help: Get help to find and keep a job.
• Advisors: Speak to people who can give advice about autism.

These tools can also help:

• Use a calendar to remember important dates.
• Write lists to remember what to do each day.
• Use pictures to show how you feel.

There are many people ready to help you. You are not alone!

Do more boys have autism than girls?

Are there any medicines for autism?

Some people with autism take medicines. These medicines can help with feelings and behaviors.

Talk to a doctor before taking any medicines. They can say if the medicine is right for you.

It helps to use tools like picture cards or schedules. These can help make daily tasks easier.

Can autistic people live on their own?

Some autistic people can live on their own. Some need help with daily tasks. Everyone is different.

Tools that can help include schedules, reminders, or apps. Friends and family can also give support.

What helps kids with autism learn at school?

Some kids have autism. They may learn in a different way.

Here are some things that can help them:

• Special teachers: These teachers know how to help kids with autism.
• Extra time: Kids with autism might need more time for tests or homework.
• Quiet spaces: A calm place can help kids focus better.
• Technology: Tools like tablets or computers can make learning easier.
• Visual aids: Pictures or charts can help explain things.

These supports can help kids with autism do their best in school.

How can I help a friend or family member with autism?

Do you have a friend or family member with autism? Here are some ways you can help:

• Listen: Pay attention when they talk. It shows you care.
• Be patient: Sometimes they need more time to do things or explain how they feel.
• Ask how you can help: Everyone is different, so it's good to ask what they need.
• Learn about autism: Find out more so you understand better.
• Use pictures or simple words: This can make talking easier.
• Give them space: Sometimes they might want to be alone, and that's okay.

Remember, being kind and understanding helps a lot!

What does sensory sensitivity mean for people with autism?

Some people with autism have something called sensory sensitivity. This means their senses, like hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and touching, can be stronger. Things might feel too loud, too bright, or too much for them.

Here are some ways to help:

• Use noise-canceling headphones to make sounds quieter.
• Wear sunglasses to keep out bright lights.
• Choose clothes that feel soft and comfortable.
• Find quiet and calm places to relax.
• Practice deep breathing to feel calm.

How can jobs help people with autism?

Here is how jobs can help:

• Make quiet spaces: Create calm areas for people to work.
• Use clear words: Talk in simple words that are easy to understand.
• Give written plans: Write down tasks so people know what to do.
• Be patient: Give people time to think and answer.
• Offer headphones: Let people use headphones to block noise.
• Suggest tools: Use pictures or apps to help people learn.

These ideas can help people with autism do well at work.

What is a place that is good for people with autism?