Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome

Autism is a disability. It is sometimes called an ‘invisible’ disability because it affects the way a person develops intellectually and emotionally. Autism can be mild, moderate or severe but in each case generally affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them, and their awareness of others. This means that children and adults with autism tend to have problems in making and keeping friends and may not have the ability to understand other people’s moods or emotions.

People with autism do not necessarily have a learning disability. They are not physically disabled either so they look just like anybody else. The invisible nature of autism can make it difficult to understand the condition and the difficulties experienced by people with autism. According to the National Autistic Society, autistic spectrum disorders impact on the lives of more than 500,000 families across the UK. But the numbers might be higher, because there is no central register of people who have autism and many people might be undiagnosed.

Another feature of the invisible nature of autism is that is very difficult to raise awareness and understanding of the needs of people with autism and their carers, because the condition can be very varied and intangible, often explained away as unwanted, rude or anti social  behaviours.

Asperger’s syndrome is the name given to one type of autism. People with Asperger’s syndrome might have noticeable difficulties in developing and keeping relationships, be poor communicators, lack social skills, and imagination.  The disorder can be mild or severe and we might observe that someone with Asperger’s Syndrome follows obsessive routines and have enduring hobbies and interests in one topic or subject.  

One of the ways that a person with Asperger’s Syndrome might stand out is through their inability to read or understand body language or non-verbal cues and what others might consider to be appropriate body space.

Although people with Asperger’s Syndrome are likely to have normal or high IQ’s they are likely to have difficulty getting and holding down a job – about 5% of those with autistic spectrum disorder have paid full time work.

Some of the traits of Aspergers Syndrome might be viewed as ‘strengths’ in certain employment settings e.g. a strong drive for order and clarity, good at routines and procedures, staying power in focused or single topics, a tendency to be literal and unemotional in interpreting language and behaviours. Many people with Asperger’s Syndrome possess exceptional skills and knowledge.