advice needed!!

I heard someone say, "If you know one person with Autism...you know one person with Autism". Just like the rest of the population, no two people are alike.  

The fact that this is given a "spectrum" means that there's a broad range of severity to this condition. On one end, there are those who are called "High-Functioning" and seem mildly affected or possibly don't seem affected at all. A developmental paediatrician said, "you know - smart and nerdy" to explain in terms that many would understand.  On the other end, there are those who can not speak, may or may not communicate in other ways, are cognitively impaired and can not function independently even as adults.  And, there's everything in between, always with some deficit in (pragmatic) language and often with poor motor planning/skills, social skills and behavior management. 

Because we can't "test" for this like with conditions such as Down's Syndrome, and because there are so many variables, I think it's also quite likely that the reason people with autism present in their own ways is that they don't all have autism.  In the next generation or two, I hope we'll be able to put a finer point on it.  The catchall term of "Autism" where a child suffers multiple seizures from infancy and can never take care of herself is far different from a child who has larger strengths/weaknesses from her peers and takes longer to adapt socially but becomes a successful engineer.  I know Asperger's is sometimes considered Autism, sometimes not.  There could be other sydromes, conditions, etc. that look like autism but aren't.

Are you asking this for research like for a class paper, or for someone you know personally...? 

The Autism spectrum is exceptionally wide, and this is why it is advisable to seek the knowledge-base of a specialist.

Even General Practitioners hesitate to get involved in this subject for fear of making an error.

If you feel that your child might have any one of the many types associated with this group then might I suggest that you ask your GP for a specialist referral.

If your question has it's root in the particular way that a child is behaving, might I suggest that a referral to a child behavioural Psychologist would be a good start.

Hi Bossey

As both archemedes and Aveline have said the Autistic Spectrum is quite wide and while there are some shared traits from case to case eash person with ASD is as unique as the next. What sort of age is the person your talking about? 

If it's a child, as archemedes said a referral to a child behavioural Psychologist would be best. You should be able to get a referral through your GP.

If it's an adult there are farely accurate, what are called AQ (Autism Spectrum Quotient) test you can take online. If you goole "AQ Test" then 2nd on the list is apergerstest and it's a good source of information too. They aren't meant for formal diagnosis obviously but the result they provide are a good indicator to take it further.

I recently got a diagnosis to confirm i am on the spectrum. It's known now as ASD(Autism Spectrum Disorder) but more commonly reffered to as Aspergers Syndrome. I'm 34 now and went nearly all my life not really knowing, just assumed I was a bit odd. It was shared traits seen in me as a child recognised in my nephew who was diagnosed early on in his life that tipped us off so I took an AQ test, scored in the low 40's area and took it from there.

Hi bossy I have a grandson aged 4 , when you are used to having children around you tend to notice things are different, he would line his toys up same order every time , he would stand and spin himself around , would not make eye contact and would not copy things you try to show him , he was diagnosed 2 years ago with low functioning autism,which is classed the most severe he is none verbal ,they told us he may never talk , but just recently he is saying little words and singing , he is also starting to do creative play , but it is true no 2 autistic child or adult are the same

I have a five year old girl with severe Autism. Although Autism is a big part of who she is, she still has personality. She is amazing. She has all the fundamental traits of Autism such as ritualistic behavior, difficulty adjusting to change, and self injury. She is still my amazing girl. I remember when we were first reading the symptoms of Autism it was very upsetting to me that a lot of who my girl was was on a symptom list. I do not want Autism to define her. I have seen other kids with a Autism and they are different than my girl. Some things the same, but they are all still their own special people.