Autism, also known as autism spectrum condition (ASC) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people perceive, experience and interact with the world. It is not an illness or a disorder to be fixed, it is a different way of thinking, processing and being.

Autism is a spectrum, which means it presents very differently from person to person. Some autistic people are highly independent and may not have received a diagnosis until adulthood. Others may need more significant support in daily life. The spectrum is not a linear scale from “a little autistic” to “very autistic”, it is a complex profile of strengths and challenges that is unique to every individual.

Autism is significantly underdiagnosed, particularly in women, girls, and people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Many autistic people, especially those who have spent years masking their traits to fit in, reach adulthood without ever receiving a diagnosis.