What are the challenges associated with Autism?

Children and young people on the autism spectrum are reported to have difficulties in two main areas. Firstly, they face continuous difficulties with communication and social interaction in general. It is hard for them to carry on a conversation or understand how far to stand from someone else. Secondly, they have restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities. Examples include developing an overwhelming interest in something, following inflexible routines or rituals, making repetitive body movements, repeating words or phrases (echolalia), or being hypersensitive to certain sounds.Apart from this, many of them might have co-occurring conditions and syndromes which complicate the general problems associated with autism. These conditions and syndromes may include cognitive problems, development/neurological conditions, mental health problems, genetic conditions and learning disabilities.