Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the name given to a family of disorders which share certain characteristics in three areas:

• Communication (verbal and non-verbal)
• Social Interaction
• Flexible Thinking / Imagination

Often people with ASD may have some difficulty acquiring and using skills in these three areas.

Some people may not fully understand language spoken to them and they may feel unable to communicate successfully with other people:

• they may not understand those unwritten social rules that tell us how to behave and what to do
• they may not be able to work out what people are going to do next

This means that for some people with ASD the world can become a confusing and frightening place. Understandably then, many people with ASD may appear to prefer their ‘own world’.

Some people may have only mild difficulties while for others the difficulties may be more severe.  However, all people with ASD have the ability to learn and with specific teaching and with the right support, many people with ASD are able to learn skills and strategies, enabling them to lead happy and fulfilled lives.

The way in which an individual is affected by the characteristics of autism is unique. This uniqueness must be acknowledged in the approaches that are used to support each person. Using specialist, innovative, creative and person centred approaches, Autism Initiatives UK offers people with ASD the opportunity to be fully included, participating members of their community.

Autism Initiatives UK is committed to working in partnership with people with ASD, their families and carers to develop communication, independence and self esteem and to facilitate access to life long learning.