Resources and Downloads
Autism
Jun 1, 2024
What is Autism? Research and Policy in NI
What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong condition that changes how a person understands the world, communicates, and relates to other people.
Every autistic person is different. Autism is a spectrum, which means people have their own mix of strengths and challenges.
Common Experiences of Autism
- Finding socialising confusing, tiring, or overwhelming
- Feeling stressed in noisy or busy places
- Liking routine, order, or having special interests
- Using repeated actions or movements to feel calm or happy
- Having different ways of communicating – some speak, others use signs, pictures, or devices
Autistic people may also find sights, sounds, smells, or touch more intense than others.
Important to Know
- Autism is not a learning disability or mental health condition, but some autistic people may also have these.
- Autism is lifelong – but with the right understanding and support, autistic people can thrive.
- Every autistic person is unique. It’s important to get to know each person’s strengths and needs, not make assumptions.
- Being autistic is not “less” – it’s just different.
Autism Research in Northern Ireland
What Do We Know?
- 1 in 17 school-aged children in Northern Ireland have an autism diagnosis (2025).
- In total, 35,367 children and adults have been diagnosed with autism (Census 2021).
- Many adults may still be undiagnosed, as diagnosis has become more common only in recent years.
- 5.25% of children aged 0–14 have a diagnosis, but only 0.32% of adults aged 40–64 are recorded – showing how diagnosis in older adults is much lower.
Boys and Girls
- Around 3 males are diagnosed for every 1 female.
- But autism in females can sometimes be harder to spot, so the real number of autistic women and girls is likely higher than the figures show.
Learning Disability and Autism
Around 1 in 4 autistic people (20–25%) also have a learning disability.
Policy and Strategy Development
Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011
The Autism Act requires an autism strategy and updates the Disability Discrimination Act to better support autistic individuals.
Autism (Amendment) Act (NI) 2022:
The Autism Amendment Act made the 2011 law stronger. It says better information must be collected, the Department of Health must lead the autism strategy, and families and carers must get clear support.
Autism Strategy
The Department of Health published this cross-departmental strategy in December 2023, which runs until 2028. It sets out the key commitments and actions needed to enhance and improve support for autistic people and their families. A further delivery plan is due to be developed in 2025.
What Needs to Happen
- Put the Autism Strategy into Action – The Department of Health must lead and make sure all government departments work together to deliver on the commitments in the 2023–2028 Autism Strategy.
- Develop and Deliver the 2025 Plan – A detailed delivery plan is needed in 2025, showing how services and supports will improve in real and practical ways for autistic people and their families.
- Collect and Use Better Data – Accurate information about autism needs to be gathered and shared, so that planning, funding, and services truly meet people’s needs.
- Support Families and Carers – Families and carers must be recognised, involved in decisions, and given clear support as promised in the 2022 Autism Amendment Act.
- Autism
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- What is Autism? – Autism NI
- What is Autism? – National Autistic Society
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – nidirect
- What is Autism? – NHS UK
- What is Autism? (Video) – National Autistic Society
- Easy Reads
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- Autism (Easy Read) – Mencap
- Autism and Me (Easy Read) – Cheshire and Wirral Partnership, NHS
- The Autism Advisory and Intervention Service (Easy Read) – Education Authority
- Autism (Easy Read) – Salford NHS
- An introduction to Autism (Easy Read) – Autism Wales
- Autism Research
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- Autism Statistics – Department of Health
- Statistics – Autism NI
- Autism Prevalence Amongst Northern Ireland School Children Published – NISRA, 2025
- Quarterly autism statistics for NI (January-March 2025) – DoH
- Centre for Behaviour Analysis: Research Projects – QUB
- Research Papers – Autism NI