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Autism

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Autism is a lifelong developmental condition, which affects the way that a person interacts with, and experiences the world around them. Autistic people can be any age, gender, sexuality or ethnicity and people are born autistic and will be autistic for all their life.  

The medical term for autism is Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). Previously, Asperger syndrome was a separate diagnosis given to certain autistic people. This term is no longer used.

Autism is often referred to as 'the hidden disability' as it is not immediately apparent to others. Some autistic people may also have other conditions such as a learning disability or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and may require different levels of support.

Autism is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways. Autistic people have their own strengths and weaknesses. Read more about the differences autistic people may share. Watch a video to find out more about autism. 

Some of the strengths and difficulties autistic people have are:

  • Strong attention to detail
  • Above average maths, technical or creative skills
  • Differences in sensory processing, including over and under-sensitivity
  • Character strengths such as loyalty
  • Difficulty predicting what is going to happen next
  • Difficulty knowing or understanding what other people think or feel
  • Excel in auditory and visual tasks such as pattern recognition

Autism is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways. Autistic people have their own strengths and weaknesses. Read more about the differences autistic people may share. Watch a video to find out more about autism. 

Some of the strengths and difficulties autistic people have are:

  • Strong attention to detail
  • Above average maths, technical or creative skills
  • Differences in sensory processing, including over and under-sensitivity
  • Character strengths such as loyalty
  • Difficulty predicting what is going to happen next
  • Difficulty knowing or understanding what other people think or feel
  • Excel in auditory and visual tasks such as pattern recognition

A diagnosis is the formal identification of autism. This will be by a health professional such as a paediatrician or psychiatrist. Having a diagnosis is helpful for two reasons:

  • It helps people with autism, and their families, to understand why they may experience certain difficulties and what they can do about them.
  • It enables people to access services and support.

You can find out more about diagnosis on the NHS website. There is also information about your choices within the NHS, giving you greater control of your care. 

Your GP, Community Mental Health Team or Adult Social Care department can refer you to the free Hampshire Autism Service for diagnosis and support:

A diagnosis is the formal identification of autism. This will be by a health professional such as a paediatrician or psychiatrist. Having a diagnosis is helpful for two reasons:

  • It helps people with autism, and their families, to understand why they may experience certain difficulties and what they can do about them.
  • It enables people to access services and support.

You can find out more about diagnosis on the NHS website. There is also information about your choices within the NHS, giving you greater control of your care. 

Your GP, Community Mental Health Team or Adult Social Care department can refer you to the free Hampshire Autism Service for diagnosis and support:

Activities 
For local groups and activities, look in our Community directory. You can search under 'Specific needs' and then 'Autism' for activities specifically for people with autism.

Autism friendly film screenings
Dimensions UK offer autism friendly screenings at over 250 cinemas in partnership with Cineworld, Odeon, Showcase and Vue cinemas. Every month, each participating cinema shows a different film from a selection of new releases and classics including Pixar animations, Disney adventures and many more films suitable for all age ranges.

Mayflower Theatre
The theatre offers a number of 'relaxed performances'.  They have also made a video, developed with Autism Hampshire, about a trip to the theatre.

Shopping
Morrisons has introduced a 'Quieter Hour' in all their stores every Saturday for those who struggle with music and other noise. 

The National Autistic Society offers specific advice on how to make leisure activities more accessible for autistic people.

Activities 
For local groups and activities, look in our Community directory. You can search under 'Specific needs' and then 'Autism' for activities specifically for people with autism.

Autism friendly film screenings
Dimensions UK offer autism friendly screenings at over 250 cinemas in partnership with Cineworld, Odeon, Showcase and Vue cinemas. Every month, each participating cinema shows a different film from a selection of new releases and classics including Pixar animations, Disney adventures and many more films suitable for all age ranges.

Mayflower Theatre
The theatre offers a number of 'relaxed performances'.  They have also made a video, developed with Autism Hampshire, about a trip to the theatre.

Shopping
Morrisons has introduced a 'Quieter Hour' in all their stores every Saturday for those who struggle with music and other noise. 

The National Autistic Society offers specific advice on how to make leisure activities more accessible for autistic people.

Did you know?

The sunflower lanyard was introduced at major UK airports in 2018 in order to allow passengers with hidden disabilities to indicate discreetly to staff that they may need additional support or help. The use of the lanyard has now spread and is now available from a number of transport providers. You can pick up a free lanyard at Tesco.

  • See the information in our Protecting adults at risk section.
  • Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) has a website. This has useful information for people who may experience or be at risk of experiencing abuse, their families and carers.  This includes resources and guidance about staying safe and mate crime.
  • A hate crime is when someone commits a crime against you because of your disability, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, or any other perceived difference. Mate crime is the exploitation, abuse or theft from any vulnerable person by those they consider to be their friends. Those that commit such abuse or theft are often referred to as 'fake friends'. Mate crime is most prevalent when the victim has a mental disability and is especially common when that disability is Autism or Asperger’s.
  • Hampshire police   offer guidance on how to prevent and deal with hate crime or mate crime. You can also   report hate crime or hate incidents to a community organisation   in your area, if you do not feel comfortable contacting the police.
  • Safe Place is a scheme to help people with learning disabilities. You can go to a Safe Place if you get lost, scared or upset when you are out on your own. There are safe places around Hampshire and  Southampton.
  • See the information in our Protecting adults at risk section.
  • Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) has a website. This has useful information for people who may experience or be at risk of experiencing abuse, their families and carers.  This includes resources and guidance about staying safe and mate crime.
  • A hate crime is when someone commits a crime against you because of your disability, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, or any other perceived difference. Mate crime is the exploitation, abuse or theft from any vulnerable person by those they consider to be their friends. Those that commit such abuse or theft are often referred to as 'fake friends'. Mate crime is most prevalent when the victim has a mental disability and is especially common when that disability is Autism or Asperger’s.
  • Hampshire police   offer guidance on how to prevent and deal with hate crime or mate crime. You can also   report hate crime or hate incidents to a community organisation   in your area, if you do not feel comfortable contacting the police.
  • Safe Place is a scheme to help people with learning disabilities. You can go to a Safe Place if you get lost, scared or upset when you are out on your own. There are safe places around Hampshire and  Southampton.

Our Community directory lists local and national support and activities. 

Autism Hampshire
Autism Hampshire   provides a range of services for people with autism and their families. 

  • The Local Autism Directory has local services including support groups, advocacy groups and social and leisure activities.
  • The Autism Alert Programme supports people with autism should they find themselves in any kind of contact with the police or emergency services. It includes a wallet card and a car badge. 

Hampshire Autism Voice 
Hampshire Autism Voice (HAV) is the parent, carers and autistic persons' group established within the Hampshire Autism Partnership Board (HAPB).  The HAPB links closely to the work of the  Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership Board. 

To find out about children's support services please visit the Hampshire Local Offer  website.

National support

The National Autistic Society
Autism Alliance
Autistic UK 

Our Community directory lists local and national support and activities. 

Autism Hampshire
Autism Hampshire   provides a range of services for people with autism and their families. 

  • The Local Autism Directory has local services including support groups, advocacy groups and social and leisure activities.
  • The Autism Alert Programme supports people with autism should they find themselves in any kind of contact with the police or emergency services. It includes a wallet card and a car badge. 

Hampshire Autism Voice 
Hampshire Autism Voice (HAV) is the parent, carers and autistic persons' group established within the Hampshire Autism Partnership Board (HAPB).  The HAPB links closely to the work of the  Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership Board. 

To find out about children's support services please visit the Hampshire Local Offer  website.

National support

The National Autistic Society
Autism Alliance
Autistic UK 

Next Page Learning disabilities

In this section

  1. Autism
  2. Learning disabilities
  3. Dementia
  4. Physical disabilities
  5. Hearing loss and deafness
  6. Sight loss and blindness
  7. Training and employment
  8. Driving and parking
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