What is autism?
Autism — also called autism spectrum condition (ASC) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) — is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, relates to others and experiences the world around them. It is associated with differences in social communication, repetitive behaviours or routines, focused interests, and sensory sensitivities.
Autism is a spectrum. This means it presents very differently from person to person — in type, severity and combination of traits. Some autistic people have significant support needs; others are highly independent. Many have remarkable strengths alongside their challenges. Autism is not a disease to be cured — it is a different way of experiencing the world.
Autism begins early in life — differences are present from birth, though they may not become apparent until social demands increase, often at school age or even adolescence.
Autism is not caused by vaccines
This has been studied extensively and the evidence is clear and consistent — there is no link between vaccines and autism. This myth originated from a fraudulent study that was retracted and its author struck off. Vaccines are safe and do not cause autism.
How does autism present?
Autism affects three main areas, though every autistic person is unique in how these present:
Social communication & interaction
- Difficulty with back-and-forth conversation
- Reduced sharing of interests or emotions
- Difficulty initiating social interaction
- Differences in eye contact, gestures or body language
- Challenges making or maintaining friendships
- Difficulty with imaginative or pretend play
Restricted & repetitive behaviours
- Repetitive movements or speech (stimming)
- Insistence on sameness and routines
- Distress at unexpected changes
- Highly focused, intense interests
- Sensory sensitivities — to sound, light, texture, taste
- Unusual sensory-seeking behaviours
Autism in girls — a note on masking
Girls are significantly under-diagnosed with autism. This is partly because girls often present differently — with more subtle social difficulties and stronger social motivation — and partly because they become adept at "masking": copying the social behaviour of peers to fit in.
Masking is exhausting and has real consequences for mental health. Many girls are not diagnosed until their teens or adulthood, by which point anxiety, low self-esteem and burnout are often already present. If you have a daughter who seems to "hold it together" at school but falls apart at home, or who has always found social situations draining even if she appears to manage them, it is always worth seeking an assessment.
Sensory sensitivities — often missed but very important
Sensory differences are a core feature of autism. A child who is distressed by clothing labels, loud environments, certain food textures or bright lights is not being difficult — their brain is genuinely processing sensory information differently. Understanding and accommodating sensory needs makes a significant difference to daily life and wellbeing.
What causes autism?
Autism is strongly genetic. Research has identified over 100 genes associated with autism, and if a child has a first-degree relative with autism, their own risk of being autistic is around 20%. Identical twins have a much higher concordance rate than non-identical twins, confirming the genetic basis.
Some environmental factors are associated with a slightly higher likelihood of autism — including premature birth, advanced parental age and neonatal complications — but these interact with underlying genetic vulnerability and do not "cause" autism on their own.
Brain imaging and EEG studies show some differences in brain structure and connectivity in autistic individuals, though the underlying neuroscience is still being actively researched.
How is autism diagnosed?
Autism is a clinical diagnosis, made by a specialist following a thorough assessment. There is no blood test or brain scan that confirms autism — the diagnosis is based on careful observation, interview and clinical judgement.
A gold-standard autism assessment includes:
- ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) — a detailed structured interview with parents covering development from early childhood
- ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) — a semi-structured observation of the child's interaction and communication with the clinician
- A full clinical and mental health interview and examination
- Information from school — ideally including teacher observations
- Review of developmental history and any relevant reports
Why gold-standard assessment matters
Not all autism assessments are equal. Some services use questionnaires alone or very brief observations. Every assessment follows the gold standard — ADI-R plus ADOS-2 plus full clinical interview — because we believe families deserve the most thorough and reliable assessment available. The report you receive will be credible with schools, local authorities and EHCP panels.
When should I seek an assessment?
You should consider seeking an autism assessment if your child:
- Struggles significantly with social interaction or making friends
- Has strong, focused interests that dominate their thinking
- Finds unexpected change very distressing
- Has significant sensory sensitivities
- Communicates differently — very literally, or with a very formal or unusual style
- Has always seemed to find social situations more effortful than peers
- Has a sibling or parent who is autistic
How are autistic children supported?
There is no "cure" for autism — and most autistic people do not want one. Support is about helping autistic children thrive, develop their strengths, manage their challenges and feel understood.
Early intervention
Earlier diagnosis and support leads to better outcomes. For younger children, behavioural approaches delivered by parents or therapists — focused on joint engagement, communication and reducing challenging behaviour — are well-evidenced. Parent-mediated interventions are particularly effective.
School-age support
For school-age children and adolescents, a good autism assessment report opens doors to the right support — including Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), specialist teaching input and school-based interventions. CBT adapted for autism is effective for anxiety, which is extremely common in autistic young people.
Managing co-occurring conditions
Autism rarely occurs alone. Many autistic children also have ADHD, anxiety, OCD, sleep difficulties or low mood. These co-occurring conditions often respond very well to treatment — and treating them can make a dramatic difference to daily life even when the autism itself remains unchanged.
Common co-occurring conditions in autism
- ADHD — very common, affects a significant proportion of autistic children
- Anxiety — one of the most frequent and impactful co-occurring conditions
- OCD — more common in autistic young people than in the general population
- Sleep difficulties — affect the majority of autistic children
- Depression — particularly in adolescence
- Eating difficulties — sensory sensitivities frequently affect diet
Psychoeducation for the whole family
Understanding autism — truly understanding it — is transformative for families. When parents understand why their child thinks and behaves the way they do, their relationship with their child changes. Psychoeducation is a central part of every assessment at Dr Shimrit Ziv.
A word from clinical practice
"Parents often come to me exhausted, confused, and sometimes relieved that someone is finally taking their concerns seriously. What I tell them is this: a diagnosis is not a label that limits your child — it is a key that unlocks understanding. When a child knows why they find certain things hard, and when their family and school understand it too, everything changes. The diagnosis doesn't change who your child is. It changes how the world responds to them."
— Dr Shimrit Ziv, Dr Shimrit Ziv
What should I do if I'm concerned about my child?
If you recognise your child in what you've read, the most important thing is to seek a proper assessment from a specialist. NHS waiting lists for autism assessment in the UK are often two to four years or longer. A private assessment provides the same clinical rigour — usually within a few weeks — with a comprehensive report that will be taken seriously by schools, local authorities and professionals.
Every enquiry is reviewed personally by Dr Ziv. Get in touch to discuss whether an assessment is the right step for your child and family.