Sam gets anxious when things change unexpectedly.

Sam needs an interest to motivate him to play with others.

Sam needs a visual communication system to express himself.

Lisa can get confused in conversations; she tends to think literally and needs time to process what has been said.

Lisa can be overwhelmed at social gatherings; she is more comfortable interacting with people one at a time.

Lisa finds it challenging to imagine what tomorrow might look like.

The visual prompt helps Ruby realise the objects are associated with meal time.

Ruby has an amazing eye for detail and accepts nothing less than perfection.

Ruby can get overloaded with sensory information. This can make being in the community really challenging.

Matt is great at his job, it is the social expectations that are difficult.

Matt uses his interest and expertise in photography to make friends.

Matt was diagnosed with autism as an adult – it has helped him make sense of his life.

BACK TO TOP

Did you know that 1 in 100
people are diagnosed with Autism?

Surprised?
click to discover

Autism is a lifelong, developmental condition that affects the way a person communicates, interacts and processes information. People with autism may also have a learning disability but it can also affect people of average to high intellectual ability.

Some people will have more subtle difficulties where others will have complex needs requiring more intensive support. Whilst autism can result in a whole range of challenges, people on the spectrum also have potential, skills, abilities and talents.

Autism impacts on a number of key areas: social communication and interaction, information and sensory processing and the ability to adapt thinking and behaviour depending on the context.

SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONAutism impacts on verbal and non verbal communication. It can affect the ability to understand, process and use language.

SOCIAL INTERACTIONAutism can affect the ability to form and sustain relationships and to understand the feelings and intentions of others.

SOCIAL IMAGINATION
AND FLEXIBLE THINKINGAutism impacts on thinking, learning and information processing. It can affect the
ability to adjust to change
and to manage new and unfamiliar situations.

And for each individual the picture
can be very different and change
throughout their life.

SAM

Aged 5

LISA

Aged 13

RUBY

Aged 32

MATT

Aged 50

select a character to continue

A day in the life of Sam.

Sam is 5.
He has autism and
a learning disability.

I am helping Sam to manage when things in his environment change. Most people wouldn't mind the new tablecloth but Sam does.

We use Sam's love of trains to encourage him to take turns with Molly.

It is a relief that Sam can use his symbol card to tell me he wants to go home.

A day in the life of Lisa.

Lisa is 13.
She has autism and attends
a mainstream school.

I can't wait for the school dance.

What are you wearing Lisa?

I'm wearing my school uniform.

Lisa has now learned a great strategy for when things get too much, thank goodness for technology and Doctor Who!

We sometimes have to check Lisa's timetable several times at bedtime to reassure her about the next day.

A day in the life of Ruby.

Ruby is 32.
She has autism and a
severe learning disability.

Ruby needs support to make connections between what she's doing now and what will happen next.

Ruby uses art as a way to relax. She sometimes throws work away. We're not exactly sure why yet, but we are working on it.

Ruby can struggle with the bright lights and noises of the supermarket. The headphones and sunglasses help.

A day in the life of Matt.

Matt is 50.
He was diagnosed
with autism just a
few years ago.

It's Friday so we're all heading off early.

I don't finish work until 5pm.

Did you know...

Also, did you...

Matt has taught me so much about photography. He recently told us that he had autism - I had no idea.

What was the...

How did the...

Even before my diagnosis, Sue just understood me.

Oh it was...

Great, actually...

I love Matt and his unique view of the world.

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Around 1 in 100 people are living with autism

They are our colleagues, friends, classmates
and neighbours

Take some time to understand

FIND OUT MORE AT

scottishautism.org

or select a character to continue

DAVID

Hi, I’m David.

I am 18 years old and have a form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome. I created the line drawings for all the furniture and characters that were then coloured and animated to make this site.

I’m going to university next year to study games and design, I’m spending a year at college at the moment.

I really enjoy art and drawing - if you would like to see any of my work please email me streetsofblack@hotmail.co.uk

Hi, I'm David, the illustrator