Autism In The Actor World

This page is from a NHS page about Autism.

## What Is Autism?

Firstly, let's run through autism to get an idea of what it means to have it or learn more about it.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is **a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain**. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.

Autistic people may:

* find it hard to communicate and interact with other people
* find it hard to understand how other people think or feel
* find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable
* get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events
* take longer to understand information
* do or think the same things over and over

If you think you or your child may be autistic, get advice about the signs of autism.

### Autism is not an illness

Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It means your brain works in a different way from other people.

It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older.

If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life.

Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a "cure". But some people need support to help them with certain things.

### Autistic people can live a full life

Being autistic does not have to stop you having a good life.

Like everyone, autistic people have things they're good at as well as things they struggle with.

Being autistic does not mean you can never make friends, have relationships or get a job. But you might need extra help with these things.

### Autism is different for everyone

Autism is a spectrum. This means everybody with autism is different.

Some autistic people need little or no support. Others may need help from a parent or carer every day.

### Some people use other names for autism

There are other names for autism used by some people, such as:

* autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the medical name for autism
* Asperger's (or Asperger syndrome) is used by some people to describe autistic people with average or above average intelligence

### It's not clear what causes autism

Nobody knows what causes autism, or if it has a cause.

It can affect people in the same family. So it may sometimes be passed on to a child by their parents.

Autism is not caused by:

* bad parenting
* vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine
* diet
* an infection you can spread to other people

### Autistic people can have any level of intelligence

Some autistic people have average or above average intelligence.

Some autistic people have a learning disability. This means they may find it hard to look after themselves and need help with daily life.

### Autistic people may have other conditions

Autistic people often have other conditions, such as:

* attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
* dyslexia
* anxiety
* depression
* epilepsy

### Different Types Of Autism

* ASD Level 1 – Level 1 ASD is currently the lowest classification. Those on this level will require some support to help with issues like inhibited social interaction and lack of organization and planning skills.
* ASD Level 2 – In the mid-range of ASD is Level 2. In this level, individuals require substantial support and have problems that are more readily obvious to others. These issues may be trouble with verbal communication, having very restricted interests, and exhibiting frequent, repetitive behaviors.
* ASD Level 3 – On the most severe end of the spectrum is Level 3 which requires very substantial support. Signs associated with both Level 1 and Level 2 are still present but are far more severe and accompanied by other complications as well. Individuals at this level will have limited ability to communicate and interact socially with others.

## Cast Members That Have Autism

This is all the *cast members/people relevant to Actor* that have Autism. Using the level list above, we will sort the members in different groups. (Level 1, 2 and 3)

### Level One

* Francisco Santos
* George Mitchell
* Michael Bryan

### Level Two

* Callum Hendricks
* Jack Joseph