A life less ordinary: People with autism

Adrian Fradd & Iona Joy

September 2007, 96 pages

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Priors Court Autism is a complex condition, with no clear cause or treatment. Around one person in every hundred is thought to have autism, ranging from prisoners to PhD students.

NPC's report, A life less ordinary, explores the issues surrounding autism and how it affects people’s lives.

Did you know?

4 out of 10 children with autism have no friends.
Only 6% of adults with autism are in full-time employment.

The report highlights areas where donors can make the biggest difference, including:

Research into what causes autism, and ways to improve the lives of people with the condition
Helping children learn skills to make the transition from school to adulthood easier
Supporting adults with normal and high IQs, who often have trouble fitting into normal services, but are rarely eligible for specialist help, and
Giving parents and people with autism practical support and advice to help them fight for the services they are entitled to.

'One autism helpine told us about a call where the telephone operator could hear a wailing in the background, like a fire alarm. The caller told them "That’s my son, he’s been making that noise for 72 hours. I didn’t know who else to call".'
Adrian Fradd, Research analyst

Charity insight

“Only 6% of adults with autism are in full-time employment.''

autism west midlands run ASpire, an employment programme that helps people with autism find, and keep, a job.