The holder of this card has autism
This card tells you what to expect when you meet a person
who has autism.
Autism is a spectrum condition which means that, while
all people who have autism share certain difficulties, their
condition will affect them in very different ways.
The main areas of difficulty are interacting and
communicating, feeling overwhelmed in situations that don’t
seem overwhelming to most people, lack of understanding of
the unwritten rules of society, and over-sensitivity and undersensitivity to sound, touch, tastes, smells, light, colours,
balance and movement.
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism.
Interaction
A person who has autism may:
>appear to be insensitive because they have not recognised
how you are feeling
>behave inappropriately or ‘strangely’ as it is not always easy
for them to express feelings, emotions or needs
>not understand ‘social rules’. They may stand too close
to you, for example, or start an inappropriate subject of
conversation
>avoid eye contact when worried or under pressure
>dislike physical contact.
Communication
A person who has autism may find it difficult to use or
understand:
>tone of voice, gestures or facial expressions
>jokes and sarcasm
>similes and metaphors, which they may take literally.
Some people who have autism may not speak, or have fairly
limited, sometimes stilted, speech. Others will have good
language but may find it hard to understand the give-and-take
nature of conversation. You might find that a person repeats what
you have said.
Because of difficulties with social communication, some people
who have autism may seem argumentative, stubborn or angry and
can be honest to the point of bluntness or rudeness. They may
also be over-compliant and agree to anything, even if not true.
A person who has autism may also:
>find it difficult to understand and interpret others’ thoughts,
feelings and actions, and to predict what will or could
happen next
>not forsee the consequences of their actions or understand
the concept of danger
>be very worried by changes in routine or by unexpected
events
>find it difficult to cope in new or unfamiliar situations or
when set rules are broken
>have intense special interests.
Not to be reproduced without permission. The National Autistic Society, a charity registered
in England and Wales (269425) and in Scotland (SC039427)
© The National Autistic Society 2013.
1011 130213
For more information about this card, including versions of this
sheet in other languages, please go to www.autism.org.uk/card
The National Autistic Society
393 City Road
London EC1V 1NG
Switchboard: 0808 800 1050
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.autism.org.uk
How you can help a person who has autism
People who have autism may speak clearly and properly but
can lack full understanding. Their apparent independence can
mask their isolation and social disability.
>Explain what you are going to do and make sure the person
understands.
>Be calm, patient and tolerant.
>Speak in a clear, consistent way and allow the person time
to process what you have said.
>Ask specific, unambiguous questions.
>Avoid irony, sarcasm, similes and metaphors.
>Remember that if the person is avoiding eye contact, this
does not imply shiftiness or disrespectfulness.
>Avoid physical contact.
Important notes for legal and criminal justice
professionals
A person who has autism is vulnerable, whether as a victim,
witness or suspect. Their actions and behaviour can be
misinterpreted. An Appropriate Adult should be called upon to
look after their welfare.
Autism and Asperger syndrome are identified as mental
and behavioural disorders in the World Health Organisation
International Classification of Diseases (ICD10). Anyone who
has a diagnosis on the autism spectrum is defined vulnerable
in law under the terms of the Mental Health Act 1983.
If you think your detainee, client or defendant has autism, a
report from a special psychiatric service dealing with autism or
Asperger syndrome may be in their interest and that of justice.
The National Autistic Society’s Autism Helpline has a list
of specialists who are expert in this area of work
(0808 800 4104, open 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday).
Please also see the section of our website for criminal justice
professionals: www.autism.org.uk/cjp.
The National Autistic Society is the UK’s
leading charity for people affected by autism.