Trying to unravel the mystery of autism
Autism affects as many as one in 100 of the UK's
population. In my first blog as the BBC's disability correspondent, I've been
talking to people affected by the condition.
"The thing with autism is nobody knows why. And there are all sorts of
questions - is it something I ate when I was pregnant? Was it the birth? Is it
genetics?"
It is only when the mother of a child who who has autism hits me with these
relatively basic questions that I realise how little many parents of those with
autism actually know about the condition. But for that matter, little is known
about it, full stop.
We know it affects at least 600,000 people in the UK, but this could be just
the tip of the iceberg. It is believed there could be another half a million
people who are yet to receive a diagnosis. For this reason, many call it an
invisible disability. So what do we know about autism?
It's a condition that affects how the brain develops which can then impact on
how a person interacts, their ability to communicate and to make sense of the
world they live in. It is complex and incredibly varied - from quite mild to so
severe that a person may be unable to communicate. The full name for it is
autistic spectrum disorder - ASD. It is a spectrum disorder because it affects
every individual in a very different way.
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Covid 19 Information
10 Indoor Activities for Autistic Children, Teenagers and Adults
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Understandably, many are now on the hunt for ideal autism activities to pass the days and establish a new routine, which is why, this week, I have created a list of 10 ideal indoor activities for autistic children, teenagers and adults
Autism Sensory Room Ideas: Building a Safe Space for Autistic People
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Regardless of space in your home or budget available, as well as all the additional know-how you need to turn your sensory relief green and start an indoor or outdoor sensory garden.
Care in a time of coronavirus - Using health direct payments to pay family members for care
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This post has been written by Steve with the help of Alice Irving. Alice is a freshly qualified Barrister with a strong interest in public law.
Coronavirus - A Book for Children
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a free information book explaining the coronavirus to children, illustrated by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler
Coronavirus and SEND law - What does my child’s EHCP still provide?
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What does your child’s hard-won EHCP mean now? What can it provide during the Coronavirus Lockdown and social distancing? Special Needs Jungle answer your questions here
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News
The Cavendish School: Governor Recruitment
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We’re looking for someone with experience, knowledge and ideas around interventions and therapies for young people with autism, plus a passion for education and innovation to join The Cavendish School’s governing body from June this year.
Crisis and Suicide Hotline
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Helplines, crisis lines, and suicide hotlines allow you to communicate in your way and in your time. They help you to take charge and offer a channel that can free you to discuss matters that you might find too risky to share face to face.
Find a therapist near you
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TherapyRoute empowers you to find your best fit psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, family therapist, counsellor, or other nearby mental health professional or organisation. We believe everyone should be able to access therapy and other mental health services. Our database is open to private practices, non-profits, and community services.
‘Elish and the Wicker Tale’
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‘Elish and the Wicker Tale’ follows the life of Elish, a young boy who has trouble communicating and coping with the world around him. Elish would rather keep to himself, doing what he loves more than anything, crafting wicker artifacts
Go Beyond Holidays
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Planning, arranging and operating rewarding, exciting, fun and safe holidays for adults and children with learning disabilities, learning difficulties, intellectual disabilities, autism, aspergers and people who need additional support on their holidays.
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Facebook
Autismlinks
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Who to talk to, where to go, lots of helpful advice all in one place
The National Autistic Society
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We are the leading UK charity for people with autism (including Asperger syndrome) and their families. We provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism.
A.S.P.E.C.S. (Autistic and Aspergers Persons of Every Category of (Queer) Sexuality)
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Are you Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or just questioning your sexuality, AND have been diagnosed as having an Autistic or related condition (Aspergers Syndrome, Tourettes Syndrome, Autism, etc.)?
ACE Adult Community Education
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We aim to provide quality education and training opportunities to adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health needs...
Act for Autism
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Act for Autism is a non for profit organisation who provide autism awareness training for Schools, Health care professionals, Universities and Parents. We also create projects that help to give a voice to autistic individuals
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Blogs
ASD Teacher Blog
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The latest blog posts with information, resources and strategies for teaching children with autism. More articles can be found in the top menu bar under 'blog posts'.
Do Sensory Processing Issues Get Better Over Time?
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They may not disappear, but they usually become milder as kids mature, and learn to manage them. Beth Arky
Girl on the Spectrum
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Blog dedicated to advocacy and raising awareness
How to Explain Autism to Typical Kids (and Lots of Others While You're At It)
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Autism awareness and acceptance are good things. The more the average person knows about autism, the better it will be for the community — especially our autistic members.
The Autism Page
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A mum sharing information and resources related to autism. Including posts on picture exchange communication system, education, health and care plans, disability living allowance, attention autism, visual aids and social stories
Youtube
The National Autistic Society
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We are the UK's leading charity for people affected by autism.
Act for Autism
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Act for Autism is a non for profit organisation who provide autism awareness training for Schools, Health care professionals, Universities and Parents. We also create projects that help to give a voice to autistic individuals in order to promote self
Autistic Genius
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Tom is an Autism Advocate who uses social media to raise Autism Understanding for anyone seeking information. He has made over 270 videos all on the subject of Autism on how it can affect my life and others lives.
Beechwood College - A Practical Approach to Autism
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A short animation which was designed and created by Thomas Cotran - A Practical Approach to Autism
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BBC Radio Lincolnshire
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Autism, matron, cycling - Listen in pop-out player Includes your calls with your experiences of living with autism
Positively Autistic Radio Shows
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Each day of the week, we run a radio show, which is based around autism each of different topics, presented to you by different hosts from around the world.
Stepping Stones Across The Airwaves
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Stepping Stones Radio is now broadcast live on ALLFM 96.9 in Levenshulme, Manchester, for a weekly one-hour LIVE radio show!
The A Word
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Family drama with a boy with autism at its heart
This Morning Show - Iris & her cat Thula
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Story of unbreakable bond between an autistic little gilre and her cat Thula.
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