I’m often asked about my condition and how it affects me, by mostly well-intentioned NT’s, so I thought I would put a little thing together. A little post with videos and information to try and answer any questions. If you have any other questions or just want to get in touch, please email me at: AspergersPoet@gmail.com
What is Asperger syndrome?
Like other autism profiles, Asperger syndrome is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.
People with Asperger syndrome see, hear and feel the world differently to other people. If you have Asperger syndrome, you have it for life – it is not an illness or disease and cannot be ‘cured’. Often people feel that Asperger syndrome is a fundamental aspect of their identity.
Autism is a spectrum condition. All autistic people share certain difficulties, but being autistic will affect them in different ways. Some people with Asperger syndrome also have mental health conditions or other conditions, meaning people need different levels and types of support.
People with Asperger syndrome are of average or above average intelligence. They do not usually have the learning disabilities that many autistic people have, but they may have specific learning difficulties. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.
What is Autism by the National Autism Society
Sensory differences
Many people on the autism spectrum have difficulty processing everyday sensory information. Any of the senses may be over- or under-sensitive, or both, at different times. These sensory differences can affect behaviour, and can have a profound effect on a person’s life.
Too much information
Sometimes an autistic person may behave in a way that you wouldn’t immediately link to sensory sensitivities. A person who struggles to deal with everyday sensory information can experience sensory overload, or information overload. Too much information can cause stress, anxiety, and possibly physical pain. This can result in withdrawal, challenging behaviour, or meltdown.
How does autism affect children, adults and their families?
Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition. Without the right support, it can have a profound – sometimes devastating – effect on individuals and families.
Autism is much more common than many people think. There are around 700,000 people in the UK living with autism – that’s more than 1 in 1001. If you include their families, autism touches the lives of 2.8 million people every day.
Autism doesn’t just affect children. Autistic children grow up to be autistic adults.
Autism is a hidden disability – you can’t always tell if someone has it.
While autism is incurable, the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference to people’s lives.
34% of children on the autism spectrum say that the worst thing about being at school is being picked on.
63% of children on the autism spectrum are not in the kind of school their parents believe would best support them.
17% of autistic children have been suspended from school; 48% of these had been suspended three or more times; 4% had been expelled from one or more schools.
Seventy per cent of autistic adults say that they are not getting the help they need from social services. Seventy per cent of autistic adults also told us that with more support they would feel less isolated.
At least one in three autistic adults are experiencing severe mental health difficulties due to a lack of support.
Only 15% of autistic adults in the UK are in full-time paid employment.
Only 10% of autistic adults receive employment support but 53% say they want it.
Figures from The National Autism Society, videos from you tube. I hope this was of help to people. If I can educate or explain this struggle to just one person then I can feel I have achieved something.
Stay Safe X
The Ramblings of Bob Christian 