Think Autism: Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives, the strategy for adults with autism in England: an update.

1.1 It is estimated that more than half a million people in England have autism. This is equivalent to more than 1% of the population and similar to the number of people that have dementia.

1.2 Autism is neither a learning disability or a mental health problem, although mental health problems can be more common among people with autism and it is estimated that one in three of adults with a learning disability also have autism
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1.3 Autism affects the way a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. It is a spectrum of different needs – so it is essential to look at the individual.

1.4 Everyday life for people with autism can be confusing, frightening and lack meaning. People with autism can often find understanding and communicating with others particularly difficult, which can leave them feeling isolated. People with autism may also experience some form of hypersensitivity or lack of sensitivity, for example to sound, touch, taste, smell, lights or colours. Autism is a lifelong condition and people may need to use services at any time in their life. Appendix A gives more information on autism and some further sources of information.

1.5 However, every day we hear stories of people with autism who are living successful and rewarding lives: achieving at college, working in fulfilling jobs, and leading training to improve others’ awareness.