The National Autistic Society

Autism is a life-long development disability which affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Asperger syndrome is a condition at the more able end of the spectrum. There are over 500,000 people in the UK with autism. 

Facts about Autism:
  • Whilst autism, as a term, was only defined 50 years ago, it has probably been part of the human condition throughout history.
  • Autism is prevalent in four times as many males as females (in Asperger syndrome the ratio appears to be around 9:1).
  • Autism is still a relatively unknown disability. A recent survey found that 65% of parents see three or more health professionals before getting a diagnosis for their child – and 40% wait more than three years for a diagnosis.
  • Autism is a spectrum disorder – comprising of individuals with profound learning difficulties through to people with average or above average IQ.
  • Many adults with autistic spectrum disorders are intellectually able, but less than 25% are employed.
The National Autistic Society is the UK’s foremost organisation for people with autism and those who care for them, spearheading national and international initiatives and providing a strong voice for autism. The organisation works in many areas to help people with autism live with as much independence as possible.

The National Autistic Society:
  • Owns and runs 22 education and adult centres directly providing services to over 600 people with autism.
  • Operates an outreach team of Development and Project Officers working in conjunction with Local Authorities to improve services locally for people with autism.
  • Runs the Autism Helpline; a free telephone help service which acts as a first point of contact for many families.
  • Provides a diagnostic and assessment service run and managed by leading experts in the field of autism.
  • Distributes the latest information on research findings into the causes of autism.
  • Where possible, encourages research into the causes of autism.

To find out more about us and autism, or ways in which you can support us, please visit our website at www.oneworld.org/autism_uk/