Autism is a spectrum disorder which means autistic people can have varying support needs. One third of autistic people also have a learning disability. The autism spectrum isn't linear and many people talk about the 'spikey profile.' This means an autistic person could be a leading expert on nuclear physics but unable to remember to brush their teeth or clean their clothes.
Some autistic people will have high support needs, which may mean that they require full time care and support. Some people may need a bit of support with day to day activities, while others live fully independent lives.
With the right support in place, all autistic people should be able to live the life they choose.
Learning disabilities
Autistic people can have different 'degrees' of learning disability, which can affect all aspects of their life, from studying in school to learning how to wash themselves or make a meal. Some people will be able to live fairly independently - although they may need a degree of support to achieve this - while others may require lifelong, specialist support. Some autistic people do not have accompanying learning disabilities, but may still have specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia.
Non-verbal communication
Some autistic people are non-verbal, or selectively mute, meaning that they do not speak. Although a person may not use spoken word, there are plenty of other ways to communicate.
For instance:
