# What is autism? A plain-English guide for parents

> Autism is a lifelong difference in how a person's brain develops, which affects how they communicate, relate to other people and experience the world. The NHS says it is not an illness, and the National Autistic Society describes it as a neurodivergence and a disability. Every autistic child has their own mix of strengths and support needs. Genes play the biggest part, and autism is not caused by vaccines or parenting.

- Canonical page: https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/what-is-autism
- Publisher: Rocks Make Pebbles (https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk)
- Topic: Signs, assessment and diagnosis
- Applies to: UK
- Last updated: 28 September 2026. Checked against sources: 28 September 2026
- Professional review: Not yet reviewed (waiting for review by a paediatrician or clinical psychologist and autistic adult)
- Drafted with the help of AI tools and checked against the sources listed below. Editorial policy: https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/editorial-policy

## Key points

- Autism is a lifelong difference in how the brain develops. It is not an illness, and it is also a disability.
- The spectrum is a range of different profiles, not a line from mild to severe.
- Genes play the biggest part in autism. Vaccines and parenting do not cause it, and research does not show that screens do.
- UK government advice is that there is no evidence that paracetamol in pregnancy causes autism.
- A UK report may not give a 'level'. That doesn't mean anything is missing.

## What is autism?

Autism is a lifelong difference in how the brain develops. The [NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/) describes it as "a difference in how your brain develops that affects how you see and experience the world", and says it is "often called a type of neurodivergence". It also says autism is "not an illness and there is no treatment or cure, but there are ways of managing it and getting support".

The [National Autistic Society](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism) (NAS) calls autism "a lifelong neurodivergence and disability". It describes three main areas of difference:

- **Communication:** using words, tone of voice, gestures and facial expressions differently. Some autistic people speak very little or not at all and communicate in other ways.
- **Behaviours and interests:** deep [focused interests](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#focused-interests), repeated movements such as [stimming](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#stimming), and a preference for order, predictability or routine.
- **Sensory processing:** being much more, or much less, sensitive than non-autistic people to things like sound, light, touch, taste and smell.

### Is autism a disability?

The NAS calls autism a disability. In law, the [Equality Act 2010](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/6) says a person is disabled if they have "a physical or mental impairment" that has "a substantial and long-term adverse effect" on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Whether a child meets this depends on how autism affects their everyday life. The legal advice charity [IPSEA](https://www.ipsea.org.uk/blog/the-myth-of-needing-a-diagnosis-before-you-can-get-support) points out that the legal definitions of disability and of special educational needs do not require a specific diagnosis.

Autism is not the same as a [learning disability](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#learning-disability), although some children have both. The NHS says some autistic people have a learning disability and some have average or above-average intelligence.

## What do the diagnostic criteria mean in plain English?

UK teams diagnose autism using the World Health Organization's ICD-11 or the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5 ([National Autistic Society](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/diagnosis/assessment-and-diagnosis/criteria-and-tools-used-in-an-autism-assessment)). Both describe two core areas, and both now count sensory differences as part of autism ([CDC summary of DSM-5](https://www.cdc.gov/autism/hcp/diagnosis/index.html); [Greaves-Lord and colleagues, 2022](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9881114/)).

| Area | What the manuals describe | What you might notice in a young child |
|---|---|---|
| Social communication and interaction | Differences in two-way interaction, in gestures, eye contact and facial expression, and in making and understanding relationships | Not pointing to show you things, playing alongside other children rather than with them, talking at length about one topic |
| Repetitive behaviours, routines and interests | Repeated movements, speech or play, a strong need for sameness, and very intense, focused interests | Hand flapping or rocking, repeating phrases, opening and closing doors over and over, great distress when a routine changes |
| Sensory differences (part of the second area) | Being much more or much less sensitive to sounds, lights, textures, smells, tastes or pain | Disliking loud places or bright lights, refusing some clothes or food textures, not seeming to notice pain |

DSM-5 requires differences in all three parts of social communication and at least two of the four kinds of repetitive behaviour and interests, present from early development and affecting everyday life ([CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/autism/hcp/diagnosis/index.html)). ICD-11 notes that some autistic people only show clear difficulties "once societal demands increase", and that autistic people commonly describe hiding their traits as exhausting ([Greaves-Lord and colleagues](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9881114/)).

This is not a checklist. A diagnosis needs a full assessment by a team, and [NICE](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#nice), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, says no single autism tool should be relied on alone ([NICE CG128](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/chapter/Recommendations)). See [what happens at an autism assessment](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/autism-assessment-for-children).

## What does "on the spectrum" mean?

"On the spectrum" means autistic. It is not a line from "a bit autistic" to "very autistic". The [National Autistic Society](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism) says each autistic person has "a unique combination of characteristics", and that their strengths and challenges can change from one situation to another.

Many autistic children have a [spiky profile](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#spiky-profile), with some skills well ahead of their age and others behind. NICE lists an "unusual profile of skills or deficits", such as advanced vocabulary alongside less developed social or coordination skills, as a feature to look for ([NICE CG128 full guideline](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/resources/autism-spectrum-disorder-in-under-19s-recognition-referral-and-diagnosis-pdf-35109456621253)).

> **Myth:** "Autism runs from mild to severe." The National Autistic Society says the spectrum is not a linear scale. A child who talks fluently may find noise or change very hard, and a child who needs a lot of help in one area may be highly skilled in another.

### Why doesn't my child's report give a level?

Levels come from DSM-5: level 1 "requiring support", level 2 "requiring substantial support" and level 3 "requiring very substantial support" ([CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/autism/hcp/diagnosis/index.html)). ICD-11 has no levels. Instead it records whether a person also has a learning disability and how much functional language they use ([Greaves-Lord and colleagues](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9881114/)). NHS England's [national framework for autism assessment](https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/a-national-framework-to-deliver-improved-outcomes-in-all-age-autism-assessment-pathways-guidance-for-integrated-care-boards/) says services should use ICD-11 criteria, and NICE moved its references to ICD-11 in March 2022 ([NICE CG128 update information](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/chapter/Update-information)).

So a report without a level is not missing anything. Some clinicians who work from DSM-5 may still give one. NICE says an assessment should include a profile of your child's "strengths, skills, impairments and needs" ([NICE CG128](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/chapter/Recommendations)).

### What is "profound autism"?

[Profound autism](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#profound-autism) is a proposed description, not a formal diagnosis. The Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism suggested it in 2021 ([Lord and colleagues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34883054/)) for autistic people who need support around the clock and have little or no language, a severe learning disability, or both ([Hughes and colleagues, 2023](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37074176/)). Its authors say it aims to highlight the needs of an underserved group, and that "this is not a mandatory label. No one has to use it" ([The Transmitter](https://www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/your-questions-about-the-lancet-commission-and-profound-autism-answered/)). Autistic-led groups have criticised the term for bringing back labels that rank autistic people and for mixing up autism with learning disability and language differences ([Aucademy](https://aucademy.co.uk/2026/02/19/critical-response-to-lancet-guardian-profound-autism/)).

## How common is autism in the UK?

The long-standing estimate is that more than 1 in 100 people are autistic, with at least 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK ([National Autistic Society](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism)). Newer figures for children are higher but hard to compare, because some count diagnoses in GP records, some count children identified at school, and some estimate everyone who is autistic, diagnosed or not. Our [autism statistics page](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/autism-statistics-uk) has the latest figures.

| Figure | What it counts | Where and when | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| More than 1 in 100 | People who are autistic | UK, long-standing estimate | [NAS](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism) |
| About 1 in 34 (2.94%) | 10 to 14-year-olds with a recorded diagnosis | England, 2018 | [O'Nions and colleagues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37090088/) |
| About 1 in 16 (6.2%) | School-age children identified as autistic | Northern Ireland, 2025/26 | [Department of Health NI](https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/publication-prevalence-autism-including-aspergers-syndrome-school-age-children-northern-ireland-annual-report-2026) |
| 33.5% | Pupils with an EHC plan whose main need is autism | England, January 2026 | [Department for Education](https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-needs-in-england/2025-26) |
| About 1 in 127 | People of all ages | Worldwide, 2021 | [WHO](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders) |
| 1 in 31 | 8-year-olds | 16 areas of the US, 2022 | [Shaw and colleagues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40232988/) |

### Why are more children being diagnosed?

New autism diagnoses recorded in UK GP records each year rose by 787% between 1998 and 2018. The researchers said this was "more likely" due to more reporting and wider use of the diagnosis than to a real rise in autism ([Russell and colleagues, 2022](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34414570/)).

### Boys, girls and masking

Boys are diagnosed more often than girls, but girls are more often missed. A review of 54 studies found the real ratio is "closer to 3:1" than the 4:1 often quoted, suggesting a bias in diagnosis ([Loomes and colleagues, 2017](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28545751/)), and NICE warns that autism "may be under-recognised in girls" ([NICE CG128](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/chapter/Recommendations)).

The [NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/signs/children/) says autistic girls may be more likely to copy other children, stay quiet in difficult situations, seem socially capable and show fewer repetitive behaviours, and that boys can mask too. [Masking](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#masking) means hiding or making up for autistic traits to fit in, which autistic adults describe as exhausting ([Hull and colleagues, 2017](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28527095/)). In young children, notice whether your child seems settled at nursery or school but needs time to recover at home. The [NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/supporting-a-child/) notes that behaviour at school and at home can differ.

## What causes autism?

Genes play the biggest part in autism, although the NHS says its exact causes are not known. The [National Autistic Society](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism) says "most people are autistic because of genes they got from their parents", and the NHS says autism "can sometimes affect people in the same family".

- A Swedish study of more than 2.6 million pairs of brothers and sisters and 37,570 pairs of twins estimated autism's heritability at 83% ([Sandin and colleagues, 2017](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5818813/)).
- A study of about 2 million people in five countries put it at about 80%, with maternal effects, such as conditions in the womb, explaining less than 2% ([Bai and colleagues, 2019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31314057/)).

Heritability describes how much of the difference in autism across a population is linked to genes, not the chance that a particular child inherits it.

The [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders) names other factors linked with autism, such as older parents, diabetes in the mother, air pollution in pregnancy, being born early and complications at birth. NICE lists others, including an autistic brother or sister, birth before 35 weeks, some genetic conditions such as fragile X syndrome, and the epilepsy medicine sodium valproate taken in pregnancy ([NICE CG128](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/chapter/Recommendations)). If you take valproate and could become pregnant, talk to your doctor, and don't stop it without advice. These are patterns across large groups of people, and do not mean a parent caused their child's autism.

NICE says genetic tests are not a routine part of an autism assessment, and should be considered only in particular situations, such as when a child also has a learning disability ([NICE CG128](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/chapter/Recommendations)).

## What does not cause autism?

Vaccines and parenting do not cause autism, research does not show that screens do, and UK government advice is that there is no evidence that paracetamol in pregnancy does.

### Vaccines

> **Myth:** "The MMR jab causes autism." A Danish study of 657,461 children found no increased risk of autism after the MMR vaccine, including in children with an autistic brother or sister ([Hviid and colleagues, 2019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30831578/)). The study that first claimed a link was retracted ([WHO](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders)).

A 2025 Danish study of more than 1.2 million children found that aluminium in childhood vaccines was not linked with any of 50 long-term conditions, including neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism ([Andersson and colleagues, 2025](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40658954/)). The NHS says autism is not caused by vaccines. A US government webpage was changed in November 2025 to question this, and a US autism research charity called the change "misinformation" ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-website-change-vaccines-autism/)).

### Parenting and screens

Parenting does not cause autism: the NHS says autism is "something you're born with". Research does not show that screens cause it either. A 2023 analysis of 46 studies with more than 560,000 participants found that an apparent link became small and not significant once the researchers allowed for positive results being more likely to be published ([Ophir and colleagues, 2023](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/38064216)). A 2026 review of 30 studies reported a link between more screen time in the preschool years and autism, but rated the evidence for it as "very low" ([Yuan and colleagues, 2026](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/39627647)). See [screen time and apps](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/screen-time-and-apps).

### Paracetamol in pregnancy

In September 2025, claims made in the US linked paracetamol (known there as acetaminophen) in pregnancy with autism. The same month, the UK government said: "There is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children." It said paracetamol remains the first-choice painkiller in pregnancy, at the lowest dose for the shortest time, that people should not switch to ibuprofen, and that the medicines regulator, the MHRA, would not change its guidance ([DHSC and MHRA](https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2025/09/23/paracetamol-and-pregnancy-what-you-need-to-know/)). The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said paracetamol "remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed" ([RCOG](https://www.rcog.org.uk/news/the-royal-college-of-obstetricians-and-gynaecologists-issues-advice-for-pregnant-women-and-people-on-the-use-of-paracetamol-to-manage-fever-and-pain/)).

The strongest studies compare brothers and sisters born to the same mother, where she took paracetamol in one pregnancy but not another. This helps rule out shared factors, such as genes. A Swedish study of nearly 2.5 million children found a tiny link across the whole group that disappeared when siblings were compared ([Ahlqvist and colleagues, 2024](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38592388/)). A 2026 Hong Kong study also found no link between siblings, and its ordinary analyses found a similar "link" for paracetamol taken before pregnancy, when it could not have affected the baby, which points to other factors ([Luo and colleagues, 2026](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42371637/)). A November 2025 BMJ review found that existing evidence "does not clearly link" paracetamol in pregnancy with autism or ADHD ([Sheikh and colleagues, 2025](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41207796/)). A January 2026 analysis of 43 studies found no clinically important increase in the likelihood of autism when paracetamol was used as directed ([Pharmaceutical Journal](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/no-evidence-that-paracetamol-use-during-pregnancy-causes-autism-adhd-or-intellectual-disabilities-meta-analysis-finds)).

> **Myth:** "Paracetamol in pregnancy causes autism." UK government advice is that there is no evidence of this, and the best studies found no link. If you are pregnant and have pain or a fever, or are worried about any medicine, speak to your pharmacist, GP or midwife promptly ([RCOG](https://www.rcog.org.uk/news/the-royal-college-of-obstetricians-and-gynaecologists-issues-advice-for-pregnant-women-and-people-on-the-use-of-paracetamol-to-manage-fever-and-pain/)). Don't stop a prescribed medicine without advice.

### Leucovorin

> **Myth:** "Leucovorin is a new autism treatment." In March 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved leucovorin (folinic acid) only for cerebral folate deficiency, which affects fewer than 1 in a million people in the US, not for autism ([PBS NewsHour](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/fda-finds-little-evidence-that-the-generic-drug-leucovorin-can-help-people-with-autism)).

This followed US officials' claims in September 2025 that it could help many autistic children. FDA officials said the evidence only supported its use in people with the rare condition, and one study that had supported its use in autism was retracted in 2026 ([PBS NewsHour](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/fda-finds-little-evidence-that-the-generic-drug-leucovorin-can-help-people-with-autism)). In September 2026, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences found the published trials involved fewer than 300 children in total and had serious weaknesses, and concluded that "current evidence does not support the routine clinical use of leucovorin to treat autism" ([AAHMS](https://aahms.org/media-release/evidence-does-not-support-leucovorin-for-autism/)). In the UK, NICE says autistic people should not be prescribed medicine for the core features of autism ([NICE QS51](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs51/chapter/List-of-quality-statements)). Ask your GP or paediatrician before giving your child any medicine or supplement.

## What other conditions can come with autism?

Some conditions, called [co-occurring conditions](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#co-occurring-conditions), are more common in autistic children. The [NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/) says autistic people are more likely to have epilepsy, anxiety, depression and eating disorders, and that ADHD is more common.

- **ADHD and anxiety:** a review of 96 studies covering all ages found that about 28% of autistic people had [ADHD](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#adhd) and about 20% had an anxiety disorder ([Lai and colleagues, 2019](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/31447415)).
- **Epilepsy:** a review of 74 studies found a typical rate of about 12% ([Lukmanji and colleagues, 2019](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/31398688)).
- **Learning disability:** in US figures for 2022, about 4 in 10 autistic 8-year-olds whose IQ was known also had an intellectual disability ([CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/autism/media/pdfs/2025/04/ADDM-Community-Report-SY2022.pdf)).
- **Tummy problems:** a review of 15 studies found autistic children were several times more likely to have constipation, diarrhoea or tummy pain ([McElhanon and colleagues, 2014](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/24777214)).
- **Sleep:** a review concluded that most autistic children are likely to have sleep difficulties, most often with getting to sleep ([Richdale and Schreck, 2009](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/19398354)). See our [sleep guide](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/sleep).

Pain, constipation and other health problems can show up as changes in behaviour, so NICE asks professionals to look for them when behaviour is a concern ([NICE CG170](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg170/chapter/Recommendations)).

> **Get help now:** Call 999 if your child has a seizure for the first time, or one that lasts longer than 5 minutes ([NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/epilepsy/)). If your child loses words, social skills or movement skills they used to have, see your GP promptly.

## Which words should I use?

Many autistic adults prefer [identity-first language](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#identity-first-language), such as "autistic child", although no single term suits everyone. In a UK survey of 3,470 people, "autistic" was endorsed by many autistic adults and parents, while person-first wording was more popular with professionals ([Kenny and colleagues, 2016](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26134030/)). As your child grows, follow their lead.

- **ASD and ASC:** the NHS says autism spectrum disorder ([ASD](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#asd-and-asc)) is the medical term for a diagnosis. You may also see autism spectrum condition (ASC). The NAS notes that many people find medical words like "disorder" inaccurate and offensive.
- **Asperger syndrome:** no longer used as a diagnostic term, although some assessment tools that refer to it are still used ([National Autistic Society](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/diagnosis/assessment-and-diagnosis/criteria-and-tools-used-in-an-autism-assessment)).
- **Functioning labels:** labels that rank autistic people by how well they "function" are widely criticised by autistic people ([Autistic Self Advocacy Network](https://autisticadvocacy.org/2021/12/functioning-labels-harm-autistic-people/)). Describing your child's strengths and support needs is clearer.
- **Non-speaking:** this site says [non-speaking](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#non-speaking) or minimally speaking for children who use little or no speech. Some families and services still say non-verbal.

## Where can I find reliable information and help?

- The [NHS autism pages](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/) and the [National Autistic Society](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/where-to-get-help#nas) explain autism in depth.
- [Contact](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/where-to-get-help#contact), the charity for families with disabled children, has a free helpline on 0808 808 3555 ([Contact](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/)).
- If you think your child might be autistic, read [signs of autism in young children](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/signs-of-autism-in-children). You don't need a diagnosis to get support at nursery or school ([IPSEA](https://www.ipsea.org.uk/blog/the-myth-of-needing-a-diagnosis-before-you-can-get-support)), so see [what you can do while you wait](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/waiting-for-an-autism-assessment).
- If your child has just been diagnosed, see [your first 12 weeks after a diagnosis](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/after-an-autism-diagnosis).

## Questions parents ask

### Is autism an illness, and can it be cured?

No. The NHS says autism is something you are born with, that it is not an illness and that there is no treatment or cure, but there are ways of managing it and getting support. Good support aims to help your child communicate, feel safe and enjoy life, not to make them less autistic. Be wary of anyone who offers to make autism go away.

### Did I cause my child's autism?

Autism is not caused by parenting or by vaccines. Genes play the biggest part: large studies of twins and families in Sweden and other countries estimate that genes explain about 80% of the differences in autism between people. The National Autistic Society says most people are autistic because of genes they got from their parents. Many parents ask this question, and the evidence points to genes, not to how a child has been raised.

### Does paracetamol in pregnancy cause autism?

UK government advice, which the medicines regulator (MHRA) has not changed, is that there is no evidence that taking paracetamol in pregnancy causes autism. Paracetamol remains the recommended first choice for pain or fever in pregnancy, at the lowest dose for the shortest time. Large studies comparing brothers and sisters, in Sweden in 2024 and Hong Kong in 2026, found no link. If you are pregnant and worried about any medicine, speak to a pharmacist, GP or midwife.

### Do vaccines like the MMR cause autism?

No. A Danish study of 657,461 children found no increased risk of autism after the MMR vaccine, including in children who had an autistic brother or sister. A 2025 Danish study of more than 1.2 million children found no link between aluminium in vaccines and 50 long-term conditions, including autism and related conditions. The NHS says autism is not caused by vaccines. If you have questions about your child's vaccines, ask your GP practice or health visitor.

### What level of autism is my child?

Your child's report may not give a level, and that doesn't mean anything is missing. Levels 1 to 3 come from the American DSM-5 manual and describe how much support someone needs. NHS England's autism assessment framework says services should use the World Health Organization's ICD-11, which has no levels. It records instead whether a child also has a learning disability and how much functional language they use. NICE says the assessment should describe your child's strengths, skills and needs.

### Is autism a disability in the UK?

The National Autistic Society describes autism as a lifelong neurodivergence and disability. Under the Equality Act 2010, a person is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Whether a particular child meets this depends on how autism affects their everyday life, and the legal definition does not require a specific diagnosis.

### Will my child grow out of autism?

No. Autism is lifelong: the NHS says it is something you are born with. But autistic children keep learning and developing, and the National Autistic Society notes that a person's strengths and challenges can change from one situation to another. Support is about finding what helps your child now and adapting it as they grow.

### Is autism a learning disability?

No. Autism and learning disability are different things, but some children have both. The NHS says some autistic people have a learning disability and some have average or above-average intelligence. In US figures for 2022, about 4 in 10 autistic 8-year-olds whose IQ was known also had an intellectual disability, the term used in the US.

## Sources

1. [What is autism?](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/), NHS, 6 May 2026
2. [What is autism](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism), National Autistic Society
3. [Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: recognition, referral and diagnosis (CG128), update information](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/chapter/Update-information), NICE
4. [Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: recognition, referral and diagnosis (CG128), recommendations](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/chapter/Recommendations), NICE, April 2025
5. [Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: recognition, referral and diagnosis (CG128), full guideline PDF](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/resources/autism-spectrum-disorder-in-under-19s-recognition-referral-and-diagnosis-pdf-35109456621253), NICE, 20 December 2017
6. [Equality Act 2010, section 6: Disability](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/6), legislation.gov.uk
7. [The myth of needing a diagnosis before you can get support](https://www.ipsea.org.uk/blog/the-myth-of-needing-a-diagnosis-before-you-can-get-support), IPSEA, 25 April 2025
8. [Criteria and tools used in an autism assessment](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/diagnosis/assessment-and-diagnosis/criteria-and-tools-used-in-an-autism-assessment), National Autistic Society
9. [Clinical testing and diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder (DSM-5 criteria)](https://www.cdc.gov/autism/hcp/diagnosis/index.html), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
10. [Review of autism spectrum disorder in ICD-11 (Greaves-Lord, Skuse and Mandy)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9881114/), Clinical Psychology in Europe, 2022
11. [A national framework to deliver improved outcomes in all-age autism assessment pathways](https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/a-national-framework-to-deliver-improved-outcomes-in-all-age-autism-assessment-pathways-guidance-for-integrated-care-boards/), NHS England, April 2023
12. [The Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism (Lord and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34883054/), The Lancet, 2022
13. [Your questions about the Lancet Commission and 'profound autism', answered](https://www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/your-questions-about-the-lancet-commission-and-profound-autism-answered/), The Transmitter, 10 July 2025
14. [Prevalence and characteristics of children with profound autism (Hughes and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37074176/), Public Health Reports, 2023
15. [Critical response to the Lancet and Guardian on 'profound autism'](https://aucademy.co.uk/2026/02/19/critical-response-to-lancet-guardian-profound-autism/), Aucademy, 19 February 2026
16. [Study of diagnosed and undiagnosed autism in England using primary care records (O'Nions and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37090088/), The Lancet Regional Health Europe, 3 April 2023
17. [Prevalence of autism in school age children in Northern Ireland, annual report 2026](https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/publication-prevalence-autism-including-aspergers-syndrome-school-age-children-northern-ireland-annual-report-2026), Department of Health (Northern Ireland), 14 May 2026
18. [Special educational needs in England, academic year 2025/26](https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-needs-in-england/2025-26), Department for Education, 11 June 2026
19. [Autism fact sheet](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders), World Health Organization, 2025
20. [Prevalence and early identification of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 4 and 8 years, 16 US sites, 2022 (Shaw and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40232988/), MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 17 April 2025
21. [Time trends in autism diagnosis over 20 years: a UK population-based cohort study (Russell and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34414570/), Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2022
22. [What is the male-to-female ratio in autism spectrum disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis (Loomes, Hull and Mandy)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28545751/), Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, June 2017
23. [Signs of autism in children](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/signs/children/), NHS, 6 May 2026
24. ['Putting on my best normal': social camouflaging in adults with autism spectrum conditions (Hull and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28527095/), Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2017
25. [Supporting an autistic child](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/supporting-a-child/), NHS
26. [The heritability of autism spectrum disorder (Sandin and colleagues)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5818813/), JAMA, 26 September 2017
27. [Association of genetic and environmental factors with autism in a 5-country cohort (Bai and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31314057/), JAMA Psychiatry, October 2019
28. [Measles, mumps, rubella vaccination and autism: a nationwide cohort study (Hviid and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30831578/), Annals of Internal Medicine, March 2019
29. [Aluminum-adsorbed vaccines and chronic diseases in childhood: a nationwide cohort study (Andersson and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40658954/), Annals of Internal Medicine, July 2025
30. [News report on the change to the CDC vaccines and autism webpage](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-website-change-vaccines-autism/), CBS News, 21 November 2025
31. [Screen time and autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Ophir and colleagues)](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/38064216), JAMA Network Open, 2023
32. [Systematic review of screen exposure and autism (Yuan and colleagues)](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/39627647), Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2026
33. [Paracetamol and pregnancy: what you need to know](https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2025/09/23/paracetamol-and-pregnancy-what-you-need-to-know/), Department of Health and Social Care and MHRA, 23 September 2025
34. [RCOG advice for pregnant women on the use of paracetamol to manage fever and pain](https://www.rcog.org.uk/news/the-royal-college-of-obstetricians-and-gynaecologists-issues-advice-for-pregnant-women-and-people-on-the-use-of-paracetamol-to-manage-fever-and-pain/), Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 23 September 2025
35. [Acetaminophen use during pregnancy and children's risk of autism, ADHD and intellectual disability (Ahlqvist and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38592388/), JAMA, 9 April 2024
36. [Hong Kong cohort study with sibling comparison of prenatal paracetamol, autism and ADHD (Luo and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42371637/), JAMA Internal Medicine, September 2026
37. [Umbrella review of maternal paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism or ADHD in children (Sheikh and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41207796/), BMJ, 9 November 2025
38. [No evidence that paracetamol use during pregnancy causes autism, ADHD or intellectual disabilities, meta-analysis finds](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/no-evidence-that-paracetamol-use-during-pregnancy-causes-autism-adhd-or-intellectual-disabilities-meta-analysis-finds), The Pharmaceutical Journal, 19 January 2026
39. [FDA finds little evidence that the generic drug leucovorin can help people with autism](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/fda-finds-little-evidence-that-the-generic-drug-leucovorin-can-help-people-with-autism), PBS NewsHour, 10 March 2026
40. [Evidence does not support leucovorin for autism](https://aahms.org/media-release/evidence-does-not-support-leucovorin-for-autism/), Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, 7 September 2026
41. [Autism (QS51): list of quality statements](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs51/chapter/List-of-quality-statements), NICE
42. [Prevalence of co-occurring mental health diagnoses in the autism population (Lai and colleagues)](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/31447415), The Lancet Psychiatry, 2019
43. [The co-occurrence of epilepsy and autism: a systematic review (Lukmanji and colleagues)](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/31398688), Epilepsy and Behavior, 2019
44. [ADDM Network community report on autism, surveillance year 2022](https://www.cdc.gov/autism/media/pdfs/2025/04/ADDM-Community-Report-SY2022.pdf), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 2025
45. [Gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis (McElhanon and colleagues)](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/24777214), Pediatrics, 2014
46. [Sleep problems in autism spectrum disorders (Richdale and Schreck)](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/19398354), Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2009
47. [Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: support and management (CG170), recommendations](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg170/chapter/Recommendations), NICE, 2021
48. [Epilepsy](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/epilepsy/), NHS
49. [Which terms should be used to describe autism? Perspectives from the UK autism community (Kenny and colleagues)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26134030/), Autism, 2016
50. [Functioning labels harm autistic people](https://autisticadvocacy.org/2021/12/functioning-labels-harm-autistic-people/), Autistic Self Advocacy Network, December 2021
51. [Information and advice services](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/), Contact

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General information for families in the UK, not medical, legal or financial advice. If you are worried about your child's health, contact your GP or call NHS 111 (in Northern Ireland, your GP out of hours service). In an emergency, call 999.