About Autism
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Children and adults with autism have difficulties with everyday social interaction. Their ability to develop friendships is generally limited as is their capacity to understand other people's emotional expression.
People with autism can often have accompanying learning disabilities but everyone with the condition shares a difficulty in making sense of the world.
There is also a condition called Asperger syndrome, which is a form of autism used to describe people who are usually at the higher functioning end of the autistic spectrum.
"Reality to an autistic person is a confusing, interacting mass of events, people, places, sounds and sights."
Sharing your life with a person with autism can be difficult and lonely. Their behaviour can appear unpredictable and irrational, preventing you from doing everyday things like going to a restaurant, or for a walk in the park.
People with autism are often unable to show affection - imagine not being able to hug your child or comfort them with a smile. What's more, a child with autism becomes an adult with autism, which means their parent's lives will sadly never be the same again.
By taking part in an Active Challenge, you'll be helping people with autism and their families, for who many even the smallest of everyday tasks can present the biggest of challenges.
For more information about autism and the NAS, go to www.autism.org.uk