Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
North East Autism Society
Shop Contact us Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • About Autism
    • What is Autism?
    • Being Autistic
    • Diagnosis
      • Child
      • Adult
  • Our Services
    • Education
      • Aycliffe School
      • Thornhill Park School
      • Thornbeck College
      • Mackenzie Thorpe Centre
      • Student Support
    • Services for children
      • Residential care
      • Short breaks
      • Family support
    • Services for adults
      • Day services
      • Residential care
      • Supported living
      • Family support
      • Short breaks
      • Employment support
    • Support for families
    • Make a support enquiry
  • Support our work
    • Make a donation
    • Fundraise for us
      • Our events
      • The Big Smile
      • Fundraising stories
    • Legacy gifts
    • Become a member
    • Autism Acceptance Award
    • Autism Acceptance Month
  • Join the team
    • Why work for us?
    • Job opportunities
    • Volunteer
      • Why volunteer?
      • Volunteering opportunities
    • Team stories
  • Latest
    • News
    • Blogs
  • About Us
    • Our vision
      • What we believe
      • Our approach
      • Our history
    • Our impact
      • How we make a difference
      • Funder acknowledgement
      • Funded project case studies
    • Meet the team
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. About Autism
  2. What is Autism?

What is Autism?

Autism is the word used to describe a lifelong difference in a person’s neurology. It’s very difficult to say exactly what ‘it’ is because it can’t be separated from the person.

Edinburgh university describe it as: "A way of being in the world; it’s a way of processing the things that come into your body (sights and sounds and so on). It affects how you perceive and interact with people. There will also be differences in how you plan and manage activities, and organising that information can translate into different behaviour."

In essence, an autistic person will see, process and understand the world in a different way from someone who isn’t autistic, for all of their life.



Research published by Newcastle University in 2021 suggests that around one in 57 (1.76%) children in the UK will be autistic. In our experience, serving autistic people and their families for 40 years, and from new research trends and beliefs, we estimate this to be much higher.

Statistics also don’t account for the numbers of people who are undiagnosed, waiting to be diagnosed or who have a wrong diagnosis. Neither have they been updated to reflect changing knowledge around the ratios of females to be diagnosed.

Historically the focus on autism has been through the language of ‘impairments’ and deficits, instead of differences or even skills and abilities.

We at the North East Autism Society have had to change the way we think and as a result, the work that we do, with most of this stemming from listening to and working with autistic people, who have been the voices consistently missing from the autism narrative.

Without denying challenge, our aim has been to help the wider world shift to understand and accept those of us who are autistic.

Visit our Family Resources site for more useful information

Published: 29th September, 2015

Updated: 11th May, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • 'Wonderland of opportunities’ for pupils as NEAS reopens Minster cafe

    'Wonderland of opportunities’ for pupils as NEAS reopens Minster cafe

    Pupils from Thornhill Park School will be working at the café when it reopens to the public from June 23.

  • No two days are ever the same

    No two days are ever the same

    Jane Gilbert, who is a Team Leader within our Family Support service, says she can't see herself working anywhere else.

  • I can’t see myself working anywhere else

    I can’t see myself working anywhere else

    Rae Markham found her dream job working within our childcare services after becoming friendly with a young adult in her previous job at Lush.

  • 'An amazing experience from start to finish'

    'An amazing experience from start to finish'

    Father and son duo Jon and Josh Sinclair walked the 86-mile length of Hadrian's Wall during May half term.

Most read

  • 10 things you think you know about autism but actually don’t...

    The North East Autism Society is campaigning for autism acceptance.

  • Recruitment portal

    Recruitment portal

  • What is Autism?

    Autism is the word used to describe a lifelong difference in a person’s neurology. It’s very difficult to say exactly what ‘it’ is because it can’t be separated from the person.

  • Adult Day Services - ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ New Warlands Farm

    Adult Day Services - ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ New Warlands Farm

    Adult Day Services - New Warlands Farm is our purpose built vocational training centre based on the outskirts of Durham in 77 acres of farm and woodland.

  • Makaton

  • Makaton Signs - Health and Wellbeing

  • What are the signs and symptoms of possible autism?

  • What We Believe

    What We Believe

    We provide a wide – and ever growing – range of services for autistic children, young people and adults, and those with other examples of neurodiversity.

  • Volunteering opportunities

    Volunteering opportunities

    Volunteering is all about making a difference to other people's lives. Taking time out to change things for the better can be great fun. Find out about the list of roles available and the benefits volunteering can have.

  • Why work for us?

    Why work for us?

    We recognise that the work we do wouldn’t be possible without our incredible team of dedicated employees. With opportunities within our care, education, employment and family support services, there’s a career for you at the North East Autism Society.

Tag cloud

autism groups autism leisure activities autism respite care Befriending Children's residential care outreach support respite care short breaks Volunteering Volunteering opportunities
Make a donation

Make a donation

Help us to continue making a positive difference to the lives of autistic individuals, and their families, across the region. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 6th November, 2013

Updated: 20th September, 2021

Author:

Latest tweet

Subscribe

* indicates required
Email Format

Please select all the ways you would like to hear from North East Autism Society:

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

North East Autism Society | 15 Lumley Court | Drum Industrial Estate | Chester-le-Street | County Durham | DH2 1AN


Tel: 0191 4109974 or E-mail: [email protected]

Registered Charity No. 1028260   |   Company Limited by Guarantee No. 2859620

All images, text and videos © North East Autism Society


  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Gender Pay Gap
  • Staff Email