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Autism is a lifelong condition that affects how a person communicates with other people, and how they see the world around them. It’s the name given to a group of conditions that affect a person’s social interaction and behaviour, according to the NHS.

It’s much more common than people think, with around 700,000 patients in the UK.

Patients are born with autism, and it’s usually diagnosed in children.

But every autistic patient has varying degrees of symptoms, and some may need little or no support for everyday life.

People with autism may find it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling.

Difficulty with communication or emotional connections are a common sign of autism, according to the NHS.

Some patients may also find it hard to make friends, or simply prefer to be by themselves.

Meanwhile it’s common for people with autism to take colloquial sayings very literally.

For example, they may be confused by phrases such as ‘break a leg’.

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“Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease,” it said.

“It means your brain works in a different way from other people.

“It’s something you’re born with or first appears when you’re very young.

“Being autistic does not mean you can never make friends, have relationships or get a job. But you might need extra help with these things.”

But the symptoms are different for every autistic patient, including whether you’re male or female.

It’s more common for autistic women to be quieter than men, and they may hide their emotions.

Similarly, women appear to cope better with being in social situations.

But that subsequently means that it can be significantly more difficult for women to tell if they’re autistic.

There’s currently no cure for the condition, but there are ways to improve communication skills and help social development.

More than one in every 100 people in the UK have autism.

Men are more likely to have ASD than women.

Speak to a doctor if you’re worried about the signs or symptoms of autism.

To find out more about autism or the National Autistic Society, visit www.autism.org.uk.

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