Autism is described by The National Autistic Society as 'a lifelong, developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them'.
Autism is a spectrum condition, meaning that no two people with autism will be affected in the same way, despite sharing many of the same difficulties. Some people with autism will have associated learning disabilities or mental health issues.
The main thing that all people with autism do share (to different degrees) is difficulties with the following: