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• >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Sensory disorders, fears, anxieties and advanced skills. >> Sensory disorders, fears, anxieties and advanced skills.

Fears, anxieties and sensory disorders are common with autism. They vary with the severity of the autism and across people’s lives. People with autism may exhibit sensory hypersensitivity, being extremely sensitive to one or all stimuli, e.g. sight, sound, smell, touch or taste. Some parents told us that their children experienced fears, anxieties or sensory sensitivities; here we see that they were also significant in the lives of the adults we talked with.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Sensory disorders, fears, anxieties and advanced skills. >> Sensory disorders, fears, anxieties and advanced skills.

Fears, anxieties and sensory disorders are common with autism. They vary with the severity of the autism and across people’s lives. People with autism may exhibit sensory hypersensitivity, being extremely sensitive to one or all stimuli, e.g. sight, sound, smell, touch or taste. Some parents told us that their children experienced fears, anxieties or sensory sensitivities; here we see that they were also significant in the lives of the adults we talked with.

• Clip
• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Peter - Interview 50 >> Peter recounts an incident when he found his way back to a relative’s house in Toronto.

Peter, aged 33, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome three years ago. He is seeing a psychologist regularly which helps him with depression and he is finding life is getting easier over time.

• >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Self help skills >> Self help skills

Self help skills

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Self help skills >> Self help skills

Self help skills

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Everyday life with autism and organisation skills >> Everyday life with autism and organisation skills

The autism spectrum incorporates a range of ability. Some people may have learning difficulties which can affect all aspects of life, from studying in school, to learning how to wash or make a meal. As with autism, people can have different 'degrees' of learning difficulty, so some will be able to live fairly independently - although they may need some support to achieve this - while others may require lifelong, specialist support. The people we spoke with reflected this range and here we look at how they managed their everyday lives.

 

Some people we talked with lived in residential homes or at home with their parents. Some lived in independent supported living with paid carers while others lead independent lives either in a relationship, with their family, or on their own.

• >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Everyday life with autism and organisation skills >> Everyday life with autism and organisation skills

The autism spectrum incorporates a range of ability. Some people may have learning difficulties which can affect all aspects of life, from studying in school, to learning how to wash or make a meal. As with autism, people can have different 'degrees' of learning difficulty, so some will be able to live fairly independently - although they may need some support to achieve this - while others may require lifelong, specialist support. The people we spoke with reflected this range and here we look at how they managed their everyday lives.

 

Some people we talked with lived in residential homes or at home with their parents. Some lived in independent supported living with paid carers while others lead independent lives either in a relationship, with their family, or on their own.

• >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Housing >> Housing

Housing

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Housing >> Housing

Housing

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Stephen - Interview 32 >> Stephen, who lives with his mother, talks about shopping and cooking.

Stephen was diagnosed with autism at the age of five. He has drawn and painted since childhood and has exhibited his work internationally.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Ian – Interview 13b >> Ian’s mum deals with bills because they aren’t important to him

Ian is 22 and was diagnosed with autism with he was 8 years old. He is currently doing a vocational waiting at table course and is interested in palaeontology and film making.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Every single bill is a new challenge for Sam to deal with.

Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. He is studying for a PhD and lives by himself.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Richard – Interview 12b >> Richard is having independent travel training and likes going out.

Richard, aged 22, was diagnosed with autism when he was just over two years old. He lives in independent supported living accommodation.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Tim and Julie – Interview 09b >> Julie has to give Tim very specific instructions about cleaning the house so he knows exactly what is expected of him.

Tim was diagnosed with autism eight years after a paediatrician suggested that there was a family link between himself and his son. Tim has a very supportive wife and they have two sons who also have autism.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Alex – Interview 04b >> Alex talks about the hazards she may encounter within her home or in her neighbourhood and her current care plan.

Alex was diagnosed with classic autism aged three years old. She lives independently in an adapted house, with some care assistance. A few years ago she was injured in a road accident and, as a result, now has epilepsy.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Alex – Interview 04b >> Alex’s care plan includes a weekly list of microwaveable meals but doesn’t always want to eat.

Alex was diagnosed with classic autism aged three years old. She lives independently in an adapted house, with some care assistance. A few years ago she was injured in a road accident and, as a result, now has epilepsy.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary is very keen to move out from her parent’s home, but does not want to live in a residential home and is a bit worried about practical tasks like

After researching various conditions on the internet, Mary was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome aged 21. She also has OCD and experiences anxieties.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Russell – Interview 07b >> Russell would like specific answers to the questions he has about domestic chores, such as what to use to get a stain off the hob.

Russell was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. His awareness of potential difficulties is increasing as he grows older and more aware. Russell describes himself as being prone to outbursts and is taking anti-depressants.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Russell – Interview 07b >> Russell recalls some of his experiences of living away from home and the support he would like in the future.

Russell was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. His awareness of potential difficulties is increasing as he grows older and more aware. Russell describes himself as being prone to outbursts and is taking anti-depressants.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John - Interview 52 >> John finds organising his home difficult and notices that his thoughts wander around all over the place.

John, 65, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 62. He had a series of jobs and started some university courses over the years but is now unemployed and fills up his days ‘by wasting time’.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary was called “an enigma” at school because the teachers couldn’t understand why she was so good at English and so poor at maths.

After researching various conditions on the internet, Mary was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome aged 21. She also has OCD and experiences anxieties.