Autistic conditions are unusual ways of communicating and relating to the world and other people which are there from early childhood.

Three main areas of behaviour are affected:
- social communication
- interaction, and
- social imagination.

There are various forms and degrees of the disability. These have different names: autism, classic autism, atypical autism, pervasive developmental disorder- not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), Asperger Syndrome (AS), High Functioning Autism (HFA). Together all of these are often called Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Many people prefer the term "Autistic Spectrum Conditions" (ASC) as it doesn't just draw attention to deficits and suggests differences rather than disorder.

There are no cures. There are a variety of approaches and treatments that some people have found to be helpful. It isn't possible to say one is right or better than others. There is no conclusive scientific evidence supporting one treatment or approach for all. The only way to find out is by trial and error with individuals.

Autism is a spectrum disorder (or condition). It helps to think of the autistic spectrum as a continuum or line ranging from very extreme abnormalities in communication and relating to others (classic autism) to much more subtle (but still serious) difficulties as in High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome. The continuum extends on into the wide range of behaviour patterns we think of as "a bit different" or as just variations on "normal".

The subtle difficulties of Asperger Syndrome, for instance, can be hard to spot because the person may have a big vocabulary. This may mask difficulties with social insight and instinctive understanding of other people and situations.

The disability is thought to result from brain-based differences (probably genetic) in relating to and learning from the world and other people. Some researchers are also looking at biochemical factors.

There are no easy tests for it. It is identified by specific kinds of behaviour and patterns of development evident from early childhood.

More than one member of the family can be on the Autistic Spectrum. Moreover, within affected families there can be members who have one or more autistic traits (and these perhaps only really noticeable when they are under stress) without the full syndrome. We have observed in Umbrella that sometimes these people able to provide insightful and relevant understanding for people more severely affected.