The umbrella term of ASC’s or Autism Spectrum Conditions serves as a description for all aspects of the Autism Spectrum. (ASC's are more widely referred to as ASD’s: Autistic/Autism Spectrum Disorders. However there is currently a shift in thinking around the classification of Autism Spectrum Conditions, and the use of the term ‘condition’ is thought to be more positive than 'disorder'. And we like to be positive!!)
The National Autistic Society advise the following: Autism
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability. It is part of the autism spectrum and is sometimes referred to as an autism spectrum disorder, or an ASD. The word 'spectrum' is used because, while all people with autism share three main areas of difficulty, their condition will affect them in very different ways. Some are able to live relatively 'everyday' lives; others will require a lifetime of specialist support.
The three main areas of difficulty which all people with autism share are sometimes known as the 'triad of impairments'. They are:
§ difficulty with social communication
§ difficulty with social interaction
§ difficulty with social imagination.
These are described in more detail below.
It can be hard to create awareness of autism as people with the condition do not 'look' disabled: parents of children with autism often say that other people simply think their child is naughty; while adults find that they are misunderstood.
All people with autism can benefit from a timely diagnosis and access to appropriate services and support.
There is a form of autism called Asperger syndrome.
Asperger Syndrome
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, which is a lifelong disability that affects how a person makes sense of the world, processes information and relates to other people. Autism is often described as a 'spectrum disorder' because the condition affects people in many different ways and to varying degrees. (For more information about autism, please read our leaflet What is autism?)
Asperger syndrome is mostly a 'hidden disability'. This means that you can't tell that someone has the condition from their outward appearance. People with the condition have
difficulties in three main areas. They are:
§ social communication
§ social interaction
§ social imagination.
They are often referred to as 'the triad of impairments' .
While there are similarities with autism, people with Asperger syndrome have fewer problems with speaking and are often of average, or above average, intelligence. They do not usually have the accompanying learning disabilities associated with autism, but they may have specific learning difficulties. These may include dyslexia and dyspraxia or other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy.
With the right support and encouragement, people with Asperger syndrome can lead full and independent lives.
(the infomation above has been retrieved from the National Autistic Society website as cited)
All the information above (and more!) can be found by clicking here
This is a link to OAASIS information on Autism and Asperger Syndrome.
This is a link to Tony Attwood's website primarily regarding Asperger Syndrome
In 'Freeks Geeks and Asperger Syndrome' by Luke Jackson he describes the areas of difficulty, often referred to as the Triad of Imparments, as an equaliser, showing how each individual on the Autism Spectrum experiences each of these areas individually! We thought it was a good description...