• About Autism

About Autism

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world around them. There are an estimated 700,000 adults and children in the UK who have a diagnosis of autism.

Autism is a spectrum condition and no two people with autism will be the same, like everyone else, they will each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Below is a list of characteristics and difficulties which autistic people may share, including the two key difficulties required for diagnosis:-

Bolton Adult Autism Support About Autism

Social Interaction

Many autistic people want to be sociable but have difficulty with initiating and sustaining social relationships, which can make them very anxious. They may:

  • struggle to make and maintain friendships,
  • not understand the unwritten ‘social rules’ that most of us pick up without thinking (eg. they may stand too close to another person, or start an inappropriate topic of conversation),
    find other people unpredictable and confusing,
  • become withdrawn and seem uninterested in other people, appearing almost aloof,
  • behave in what may seem an inappropriate manner.

Social Imagination

Autistic people can be imaginative in the conventional use of the word. (eg. many are accomplished writers, artists, and musicians) but they can have difficulty with social imagination. This can include:

  • imagining alternative outcomes to situations, and finding it hard to predict what will happen next,
  • understanding or interpreting other people’s thoughts, feelings, or actions. The subtle messages that are put across by facial expression and body language are often missed,
  • having a limited range of imaginative activities, which can be pursued rigidly and repetitively (eg. lining up toys, or collecting and organising things related to his or her interest).

Some children/adults may find it difficult to play ‘let’s pretend’ games, or prefer subjects rooted in logic and systems, such as mathematics.

Besides the three main areas of difficulty, other common characteristics are:

  • love of routines,
  • special interests,
  • sensory difficulties.

For more information please visit the National Autistic Society

Watch ‘Amazing Things Happen’ – an animation that gives an uplifting introduction to Autism, for young non-autistic audiences aiming to raise awareness, understanding, and tolerance in future generations.

Take A Test

Autism Quiz >

The AQ Test – Use this quiz to help you determine if you might need to see a mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment of Autism.

Quiz >

To go directly to the test click on I accept. The goal of this test is to check for neurodiverse/neurotypical traits in adults. The neurodiversity classification can be used to give a reliable indication of autism spectrum traits prior to eventual diagnosis.

The Ritvo Autism Diagnostic Scale-Revised >

The professional form for a diagnosis – a score over 65 indicates Autistic Spectrum.

Other Related Conditions

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About Autism

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What BAAS volunteers and clients say…

I first started with BAAS accompanied by a Support Worker.  From the very beginning I was welcomed and have been treated with kindness and respect. Soon after becoming a service beneficiary, I was found a Volunteer Befriender. The whole experience was a positive one and consequently when finishing with my befriender I was eager to help someone else and became a Befriender myself.

I’ve been involved as a BAAS befriender now since March 2023 and find this is a really rewarding experience to me. Watching an autistic adult become more confident in social activities not only beneficial for her, but also helps me to understand how we can offer support in the community. Two hours a week does more than I can expect. I sincerely hope more people could become befriender in BAAS , and working together to build a better inclusive society.

I look forward to seeing my Befriender every week because we can share interests and activities and we are on the same wavelength.

“I contacted BAAS after applying for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) myself and being awarded 0 points. After being turned down at the Mandatory Reconsideration stage I was scared about a tribunal hearing. BAAS helped me to argue my case, submit my evidence in the correct way, and I was awarded the enhanced rate of PIP for both the daily living and mobility components – the very highest level of the award. I couldn’t believe that after twice being found to be ineligible to receive PIP I was now given the highest rate. I couldn’t have done it without BAAS’s help and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

“I had always had a support worker to assist me, but these people weren’t very consistent and often changed over time, or depending who was on shift. Through BAAS I was introduced to my befriender, and we got to know each other over 16 months. For the first time since I could remember I was being supported by someone who I knew wasn’t getting paid for being there for me, and I really felt that they valued my friendship just as much as I valued theirs. I was anxious at first about getting to know them, but they took everything one step at a time in a way that I could manage. My confidence has grown much and so has my independence. I’d really recommend befriending to anyone who feels they may need it.”