Knowledge Base
This page contains various articles about autism and other related articles to provide you with upto date information. This page is updated on a regular basis.
What's it like to have Autism or Asperger Syndrome?
Autism: a spectrum of conditions
Before finding out what it's like to have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it's important to understand that all these terms carry a very wide variety of meanings, so it's hard to generalise about the experience of living with it day to day. This page is intended as a rough guide for 'neurotypicals' (people who don't have autism or Asperger syndrome).
MMR & Autism
Is there any evidence that the MMR vaccine causes autism?
The NAS has consistently recommended that parents discuss issues and concerns relating to vaccination with the relevant health professionals. The NAS believes continued efforts are required on the part of the Chief Medical Officer, supported by further authoritative research, to put these matters beyond doubt and so allay any remaining public concern.
Recent Research on Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Causes & Associated Features
Introduction
Causes of ASD have increasingly been attributed to genetic, or prenatal factors. These have affected underlying neuro-anatomical parts of the brain. Substances ingested through the diet have also been blamed for ASD. This has led to problems with language, memory, ability to learn, as well as social development and motor co-ordination as well as rigidity of behaviour.
Autism Bill launched in Westminster
On 7 October, we launched the Autism Bill (Draft) in Parliament, in partnership with Angela Browning MP and with wide support from the autism community. The Bill has been developed to challenge the exclusion from services that too many people with autism experience: we highlighted this exclusion in our I Exist campaign. The Bill builds on two 'ten-minute rule Bills' introduced by MPs Lee Scott and Angela Browning, as well as the Department of Health's recent commitment to produce a national adult autism strategy.
Asperger Syndrome: what is it?
As soon as we meet a person we make judgements about them. From their facial expression, tone of voice and body language we can usually tell whether they are happy, angry or sad and respond accordingly.
People with Asperger syndrome can find it harder to read the signals that most of us take for granted. This means they find it more difficult to communicate and interact with others which can lead to high levels of anxiety and confusion.