What is Autism? Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates with, and relates to other people. Most (but not all) people with autism also have a learning disability. Autism is most likely to be a group of disorders that varies with degrees of severity. Therefore, the term ‘Autistic Spectrum Disorders’ is commonly used instead of ‘Autism’. At the upper end of this spectrum of abilities is the condition known as Asperger’s Syndrome. People in this category are often highly intelligent, with a real desire to be a part of ‘normal’ social activities, yet lack the skills and understanding to do so easily. To others they may appear eccentric, socially inept, and at times arrogant and unfeeling. Children and young people with Asperger’s syndrome may also show signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Dyspraxia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

	What is Dyspraxia? Dyspraxia is a disorder of voluntary movement. People with dyspraxia have an inability to perform command or imitate a familiar action even though they understand the action that they have been asked to do.

	What is Aspergers Syndrome? At the upper end of the Autism spectrum of abilities is the condition known as Asperger’s Syndrome. People in this category are often highly intelligent, with a real desire to be a part of ‘normal’ social activities, yet lack the skills and understanding to do so easily. They sometimes suffer from additional problems of depression, resulting from their insight into their situation. To others they may appear eccentric, socially inept, and at times arrogant and unfeeling. Children and young people with Asperger’s syndrome may also show signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Dyspraxia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

	What is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a condition which often goes hand in hand with dyslexia. It is sometimes associated with hyperactivity; these are children who, left unguarded wreak havoc in the classroom. But ADHD can also occur without hyperactivity; these people may have difficulty concentrating but are not overtly hyperactive.

	What is OCD? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder that causes problems in information processing. Obsessions are thoughts, images and impulses that occur over and over again and feel out of your control. People with OCD may worry excessively about dirt and germs and are obsessed with the idea they are contaminated or will contaminate others. They try and make their obsessions go away by performing compulsions. Compulsions are acts people perform over and over again, often according to certain ‘rules’. People with an obsession with contamination may wash their hands over and over again.