Springwatch presenter Chris Packham has urged people to speak more openly about autism after filming a documentary about his own struggle with the condition.
The TV nature expert was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome 12 years ago at the age of 44, and as well as the documentary, Me And My Asperger’s, he wrote a book about his experiences last year.
Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society, says: “Almost everyone has heard of autism now, but a much smaller number of people understand what it actually means to be autistic, the difficulties autistic people can face – and their strengths.
“Some of the biggest leaps forward in understanding of autism have happened because of TV shows, books and documentaries, and we’re confident Chris Packham will give an honest and informative account of autism in his upcoming documentary.”
And while most people have heard of autism and Asperger’s, many don’t understand the differences.Here’s what you need to know:
1. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.
2. More than one in 100 people are on the autism spectrum, including an estimated 700,000 people in the UK.
3. Asperger’s Syndrome is one of several previously separate subtypes of autism, including the classic most common and severe type autistic disorder, and Rett syndrome, that are now grouped into the single diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Read more at: http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/health/health-concerns/whats-the-difference-between-aspergers-and-autism-11364197046118
