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Issues faced by people with autism

People with autism spectrum disorders and their relatives and carers face many issues, and some problems, on a day to day basis.

This section identifies some of the most common issues and problems. However it is important to remember that each person with autism is a unique individual, with unique needs and abilities. Because of this, he or she will experience those issues in a unique way or may not experience them at all.

It is just as important to remember that some individuals with autism don’t think of autism as an issue at all, it’s just the way they are.

Autism is not a problem

‘ People need to get over the idea that the neuro-typical way is ‘right’ and any other way is ‘wrong’. The AS way is just as valid – in fact better in some respect. We should be accepted in our own right and the emphasis should be on educating NTs not to be so discriminatory and to get over the absurd and offensive idea that they are better then anyone else. People with AS don’t need to be ‘cured’ or trained as to how to ‘pretend’ to be normal – it is the ‘normal’ people who need to learn that, contrary to what they think, they are not the pinnacle of God’s creation and that there is in fact a lot they could learn from Aspies. They need to be taught not to be prejudiced and discriminatory and to accept and accommodate us for who we are.’

(Quoted in Beardon, L and Edmonds, G. (2007). ASPECT Consultancy Report. A national report on the needs of adults with Asperger syndrome. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University.)

Triad of impairments

People on the autism spectrum are reported to have difficulties with three main activities, sometimes known as the triad of impairments.

Social difficulties. For example, they may take longer to learn to speak, or find it hard to begin or carry on a conversation.
Communication difficulties . For example, they may not understand facial expressions or body language, or not be able to share things or feelings with other people.
Imagination difficulties. For example, they may be extremely good at learning facts and figures but find it hard to discuss religion or politics.

They also demonstrate a narrow, repetitive range of activities. For example, they may develop an overwhelming interest in something, follow inflexible routines or rituals, or make repetitive body movements.

Secondary issues

Many people with autism spectrum disorders are reported to have secondary difficulties i.e. issues not symptomatic of autism but very common in people with autism. For example, many people with autism appear to have

challenging behavioural problems, such as aggression and self-injury
mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression
sleep disorders, such as insomnia
sensory issues, such as hyper or hypo sensitivity
gastro-intestinal problems, such as diarrhoea

Other conditions and syndromes

Most people on the autistic spectrum are reported to have additional conditions and syndromes which bring their own problems and which complicate the issues caused by autism. For example

A significant minority of people with autism spectrum disorders also develop epilepsy
About a third of individuals with autism have some other learning disability
A significant minority of people with autism have some form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Integrating into society

Most people on the autism spectrum find it hard to integrate into society. For example, they may struggle to

find or keep a job
run a home by themselves
begin or maintain a relationship

Relatives and carers

Relatives and carers of people with autism spectrum disorders also face issues and problems. For example they may

carry the the worry and exhaustion of looking after someone with autism
face the frustration of trying to cope with other people’s ignorance and prejudice – a problem also faced by people with autism themselves
become frustrated by the lack of high quality information about interventions that can help
become frustrated by the poor quality of the services designed to help them

Practical solutions to the issues and problems

As Temple Grandin, a woman with autism says, there is no ‘one-size fits all’ solution to the issues faced by people with autism. What works for one person may not work for another.

‘People are always looking for the single magic bullet that will totally change everything. There is no single magic bullet.’ (Temple Grandin)

This website aims to provide information about some of the interventions used to help overcome some of these issues.

You may also find it useful to look at the Useful resources section of this website. Here you will find organisations and other resources that may help you tackle some of the issues.

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