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An autistic person’s way of thinking, understanding and relating to other people, and the world around them is different to neurotypical people.

Autism is a lifelong condition and no two people with autism are the same.

Your brain is unique to you. Everyone is different. Just like everyone else, you will have your own unique skills, abilities and needs that make you. Everyone with autism will have different but often similar challenges.

Remember that these differences or challenges aren’t always negative. You might need extra support for certain things to be able to thrive but thrive you can!

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Am I Autistic?

Some common autistic traits include:

  • Difficulty recognising or understanding other people's emotions
  • Difficulty reading body language, understanding sarcasm and facial expressions
  • Difficulty in social situations
  • Overly or underly sensitive to any sense, for example taste, sound, smell, touch, pain or light
  • Finding crowded and noisy places challenging
  • Liking familiar routines
  • Finding unexpected change to your routine challenging
  • Having intense and specific interests in things

You may have some or all of the above traits.

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Visit the National Autistic Society website for more information about autistic traits.

Masking

This is when you subconsciously hide a part of yourself or your traits to fit in better. You don't do this on purpose, in fact you may not realise you are doing it. You may 'mask' as a way of coping.

You may find that you can suppress certain behaviours you find soothing or copy the behaviour of friends to fit in. For example, you may be able to avoid stimming at school.

Masking can be exhausting. It may make you feel anxious or sad.

Girls are often diagnosed with autism later than boys. One reason for this may be that women and girls are often better at masking or camouflaging their difficulties.

Getting a diagnosis

If you think you may be autistic then you can speak to:

  • your GP
  • a teacher you trust at school
  • the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) at your school

You can also get advice about what to do from:

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Autism Assessment in your Area

Each area is different. Your child's school or GP can refer your child for an assessment.

Speak to your GP urgently if your child's development is going backwards and they are losing language or skills.

When should you worry?

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Advice and Guidance

What may happen at an autism assessment?

The video below shows what may happen at an autism assessment.

Work out your strengths

It's important to look for your strengths. These may include:

  • An ability to focus intently on areas of interest
  • An attention to detail
  • Creative thinking
  • Having the ability to recognise patterns
  • Thinking a lot and being conscientious
  • Being kind, honest, and empathetic. Some people may struggle to understand your emotions but we know many autistic young people feel things very deeply
  • Being a good problem solver. Autistic people need to solve problems on a daily basis, for example, 'how can I focus with all that noise?'

Waiting times for assessment

Waiting times for an autsim assessment can be long.

Most services will support you even if you do not have a formal diagnosis.  

Looking After your Mental Health

Autistic young people can have good mental health just like any other young person. Living in a world in which you sometimes feel you do not quite fit can be exhausting. It may affect your mental health.

Visit our mental health pages for more information on what you can do and where to get help.

Further information and support

Visit our Support for neurodivergent children and their families page

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The Ambitious Youth Network is a space for autistic young people between the ages of 16 and 25. You can meet other autistic young people.

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Autism.org.uk

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The Aspie World and Ask an Autistic

Watch Inside Our Autistic Minds by Chris Packham as he explores the lives of autistic people across the country and brings their lived experience to life, through short film.

Self care and Prevention

Video Showcase

Related Conditions

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Further Information

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Acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is when the kidneys stop working over a short period of time – a few days or a few weeks. It is sometimes called acute kidney failure (AKF) or acute renal failure (ARF).

Allergy

Learn the basics about food allergies, their symptoms and how they are diagnosed. And if you have itchy eyes, a sneezy nose, wheezy chest or queasy stomach, you might have an allergy: find out more

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis (pronounced ana-fill-ax-is) is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Learn more about what you can do to avoid having an anaphylactic reaction or what to do if someone else if having a severe allergic reaction.

Arthritis

Arthritis doesn’t just affect the elderly. Find out more about conditions affecting the bones and joints of children and young people; to hear the experiences of a young person with arthritis, click here. The Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology and the Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association provide extremely useful information for young people.

Asthma

Don’t let having asthma stop you living your life. Learn more about asthma and find ways to help you stay well.

Click here for videos on inhaler technique.

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Brain tumour

Brain tumours are quite complex - at present, over 130 different types of 'high grade'(cancerous) or 'low grade' (non-cancerous) brain tumours are known. Find key information about brain tumours in young people including symptoms, diagnosis and treatments, and read advice on living with, or caring someone with, a brain tumour.

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Cancer

7 young people are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK. You don’t have to face cancer alone - find out about cancer types, treatments and living with cancer as a teen or young adult. This information has been written specifically for you and reviewed by other young people with cancer. Hear the stories of other young people with cancer.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that can't be explained by any underlying medical condition. The fatigue may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn't improve with rest.

For more information on CFS and the Specialist Chronic Fatigue (ME) Service for children and young people anywhere in the UK, please click here.

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a lifelong condition. The kidneys gradually stop working as well as they should. This usually happens over many years.

Chronic pain

The Pain Toolkit is for people who live with persistent pain and Healthcare teams who support them. It helps people all over the world self manage persistent pain.

Cleft lip and palate

There are many young people in the UK who are born with a cleft lip or palate. Some of them have shared their stories about everything from school to surgery.

Coeliac Disease

Growing up with coeliac disease, especially in your teenage years, can have its challenges, especially as you eat out more with friends. Don’t be embarrassed about having coeliac disease; it’s part of you and your friends will understand.

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis(CF) is one of the UK's most common life-threatening inherited diseases. Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defective gene. As a result, the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, become clogged with thick sticky mucus resulting in chronic infections and inflammation in the lungs and difficulty digesting food. Find out more…

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Diabetes

Being a teenager is hard enough, without having Type 1 diabetes. Find out more about successfully living with Type 1 diabetes and getting through your teenage years. Listen to the experiences of young people with diabetes by clicking here. Or, to read a diabetes-inspired comic click here

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Eczema

‘Why do I have eczema?’ is a question asked by a lot of the young people with eczema. Find out more about eczema or listen to the experiences of other young people with eczema.

Epilepsy

If you’re a teenager with epilepsy, you probably have all sorts of questions about how epilepsy could affect your life. For example, will you be able to go on holiday with friends, go to concerts and clubs and drink alcohol? Or maybe you have a friend, brother or sister who has epilepsy and you just want to understand more about it. Or you can listen to the experiences of a young person with epilepsy by clicking here. Young epilepsy provides great help and support.

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FSGS and IgM nephropathy

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and IgM nephropathy cause nephrotic syndrome. This causes swelling in the body, especially in their face, legs and feet.

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Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritisis a group of conditions that cause inflammation (swelling) in the kidneys. Children with glomerulonephritis have blood and protein in their urine, and may have swelling in their body, especially in their face and legs. Find out more…

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Haematuria

Haematuriameans there is blood in the urine (wee). If there is a lot of blood, the urine may be red or dark brown. In most children, haematuria is not serious. In some children, it is a sign that there is a problem with their kidney and these children may need special treatment. Find out more…

Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome

In haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), the small blood vessels inside the kidneys are damaged. There are changes in the blood and the kidneys stop working properly.

Haemophilia

By the time you are a teenager, you may already be used to living with a bleeding disorder. However not all people with bleeding disorders are diagnosed earlier on in life, and a bleeding disorder may be entirely new for you. The information here should be able to reassure you about your bleeding disorder, and let you get on with the enjoyment of being a teenager..

Heart conditions

If you have a congenital heart condition, you might feel like you don't want to know every detail because it scares you. In fact you're not alone - many adults feel the same way. Find out more…

Henoch- Schonlein purpura (HSP)

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a condition that affects different parts of the body. Tiny blood vessels in the body become inflamed or swollen.

HIV

It’s difficult being a young person with HIV but you’re not alone. Hear the experiences of other young people living with HIV. Find ways of accessing local support as well as the Body & Soul Beyond Boundaries programme.

Click here to watch a video from the BBC called HIV Positive: Seriously, you can't catch it from kissing.

Hydrocephalus

If you’re a teenager or young adult affected by hydrocephalus, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. You’ll find useful information to help you overcome the different challenges you may face.

Hypertension

Hypertension means that your blood pressure is too high. In some children, hypertension can be a serious condition. It can increase the risk of getting other diseases, especially if the hypertension continues into their adult years. Find out more…

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, affecting more than 300,000 people in the UK. Yet it is largely a hidden disease, and one that causes stigma, fear and isolation – it’s thought that many people with the condition go undiagnosed and suffer in silence. It doesn’t have to be like this. Learn more….

Info about your child's medication

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Medical ID and alert products

Don’t let a medical condition change your life. Change the way you deal with it – by living as best you can with the security of a Medi band or Medic alert medical ID bracelet or wristband.

Metabolic conditios

Climb is the leading patient organisation for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, supporting thousands of families worldwide.

Mitochondrial disease

Mitochondrial Disease is a chronic, genetic disorder that can be inherited in a number of ways. Because there are many forms of mitochondrial disease and therefore Mitochondrial disease presents very differently from individual to individual.

When a person has Mitochondrial Disease the mitochondria in the cells are not producing enough energy. Sometimes they are not very efficient or they do not work at all. Depending on which Mitochondria are affected will depend on which organs are affected.

Activities like running, swimming, cycling or even simple ones likes walking or breathing can be difficult or completely impossible if you are suffering with Mitochondrial Diseases.

For help and for more information, visit the Abel Foundation website by clicking here.

Mitrofanoff

Bladder problems are not a subject that is openly discussed, hence there is a general lack of public knowledge on what it is like to have Mitrofanoff. Mitrofanoff Support offers emotional support and reassurance to anyone who may be about to have, or already has a Mitrofanoff and the people closest to them.

Multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK)

A multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) is a kidney that has not developed normally in the womb. Instead of a working kidney, there is a bundle of cysts, which are like sacs filled with liquid. Find out more

Muscular Dystrophy

Living with a neuromuscular condition can be a steep learning curve, but support is available. Find out more…

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Nephrotic syndrome

In nephrotic syndrome, the kidneys leak too much protein into the urine, leading to a drop in the levels of protein in the blood. This causes swelling in the body, especially in the face, legs and feet. Find out more… About half of children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) have frequent relapses. This means that although the nephrotic syndrome gets better with steroids, it keeps coming back in a short space of time. Learn more about frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome.

Neurofibromatosis

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a condition that causes lumps called neurofibromas to grow on the covering of nerves. Although doctors sometimes call the lumps tumours, they are not cancer. This information sheets offers you some facts and advice to help you.

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Post-infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN)

PIGN causes inflammation (swelling) in the kidneys. Young people with PIGN have blood and protein in their urine, and may have swelling in their body, especially around their face and legs. Find out more…

Primary immunodeficiency

If you are a young person with a primary immunodeficiency, there are probably loads of questions you’d like to know the answers to, things you maybe feel a bit embarrassed to ask about or you simply don’t know who to ask. Learn more here…

Proteinuria

Proteinuria means there is an abnormal amount of protein in the urine (wee). Normally there is very little protein that is lost in the urine. Find out more…

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Renal dysplasia

Renal dysplasia (or kidney dysplasia) means that a kidney does not fully develop in the womb.The affected kidney does not have normal function – which means that it does not work as well as a normal kidney. It is usually smaller than usual, and may have some cysts, which are like sacs filled with liquid. Find out more…

Renal hypoplasia

Renal hypoplasia (or kidney hypoplasia) means that part of a kidney does not fully develop in the womb. The kidney may only be slightly smaller than usual or it may be tiny. Because of its size, it may not work as well as a normal-sized kidney. Find out more…

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Scoliosis

Advice on what you can do if you have scoliosis or if you have just been diagnosed with it. Find out more…

Sickle Cell Disease

Advice for young people living with sickle cell disease. You are not alone. Click here for more information.

Spina bifida

Spina bifida literally means ‘split spine’. A fault in the development of the spinal cord and surrounding bones (vertebrae) leaves a gap or split in the spine. The spinal cord has not formed properly, and may also be damaged. Find out more

Syncope

Syncope (pronounced sin-co-pee) is a medical term for a blackout that is caused by a sudden lack of blood supply to the brain. Reflex syncope is one of the most common forms of syncope. Find out more…

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Thalassaemia

Thalassaemia is a complex condition affecting the blood that requires constant monitoring and treatment. However, it is no longer just a disease of childhood; with our current level of knowledge, of treatment, of support and care there is no reason for a young person with thalassaemia to not reach their full potential.

Tuberous Sclerosis

An estimated 1 million people worldwide have TSC. Some will be diagnosed with TSC very early in life whilst others may not be diagnosed until later childhood, adolescence or adulthood. Find out more…

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Urinary tract infection (UTI)

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection that may cause you pain when you pee. Sometimes it can result in a kidney infection. Find out more…

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Von Willebrand Disease

Von Willebrand disease is the most common type of bleeding disorder: it’s estimated that around 1% of the world population may be affected. It affects the blood’s ability to clot and can cause symptoms such as easy bruising, nosebleeds, and heavy periods. It may also be hard to stop bleeding after injury or surgery. Find out more…