Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.

General signs

There are many signs of ASD; here are some general signs that could indicate your child / young person has ASD traits:

• Struggles with verbal and non-verbal communication
• Difficulty making eye contact
• Difficulty recognising emotions and showing emotions
• Taking turns in conversations
• Gauging personal space is a struggle
• Feeling overwhelmed in social situations
• Repetitive behaviour - strict routines
• Narrow or extreme interest.

Diagnosis

When looking at ASD if you decide to explore a diagnosis by the health authority, this process can take approximately 29 months once the referral has been accepted.

You don't need to wait for a diagnosis to get support. Have a look at the further information to find out what is available from your child's school and other organisations.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) support

This guide aims to support parents and carers of children and young people who you think may be autistic or who are awaiting an assessment, or who have a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder.