什么是自闭症？

没有孤独症的经验。

The clearest definition is that autism. Clinically referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – Autism is a different way of thinking, a neurological developmental difference that changes the way you relate to the environment and people around you.

Autism influences the way that you see, experience and understand the world.

The ‘spectrum’ of autism

You might have heard people referring to autism as a ‘spectrum’. This is used to emphasise that there is an infinite number of ways that autism can be experienced.

While people on the autism spectrum share a range of similar characteristics, there are an equal number of differences between individuals, so the experience of autism varies greatly from person to person.

纽约阿德菲大学特殊教育的自闭症教授斯蒂芬·肖尔博士说：

"如果你遇到一个孤独症患者，你遇到一个孤独症患者。

The support needs of autistic individuals can range vastly from person to person. Some individuals may want or need ongoing support in daily living, community participation, communication, while other individuals may desire little or no support in these or other areas.

While every individual has strengths and challenges, some of the key strengths of autistic people can include:

• 以细节为导向;
• 识别违规行为;
• 是一个逻辑思考者;
• absorb and retain facts;
• tenacity and resilience;
• visual learners;
• in-depth knowledge in specific areas;
• honest, loyal and committed;
• maintaining high focus on a task; and
• 从不同的角度来看待事物。

It is important to remember that these are generalised strengths, and that many autistic individuals do not have a strength in these areas and may in fact find some of these areas challenging.

Many autistic individuals can find enjoyment in routine and predictability, or engaging in a particular passion, activity or hobby. This can mean that people on the spectrum may be highly successful in their chosen careers or hobbies, especially when they follow their passions.

Just like there are some common strengths associated with the autism spectrum, there are a range of some common challenges that people on the autism spectrum may face. Some of these challenges can include:

• communicating wants, and needs;
• social interaction and interpreting other people’s behaviour or feeling that others do not understand their behaviours;
• processing sensory input;
• 处理认知信息。

Autistic people may develop skills in a way that is different from those that are not autistic. This can include the order in which skills are developed, the extent to which skills develop, and how skills develop. Skill development again, will vary significantly from individual to individual.

What are the characteristics of autism?

The characteristics of autism can vary widely in nature and presentation from person to person, and can also develop, and change over time.

Age, and cognitive ability can also influence how the characteristics of autism present themselves in different people, which is something that should also be considered.

While much of the diagnostic process is related to behavioural attributes, it can be difficult to diagnose autism until they are between 18-20 months. For some, autism characteristics may not become apparent until school years, or adult years when demands exceeds capacity.

In recent years, autistic adults have reported feeling misunderstood and have reported that obtaining a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder is helpful in validating their experience of the world, helping them to find like minded people and support developing their self-identity. Many autistic adults report getting diagnosed as an adult helps to facilitate self-understanding and self-kindness.

然而，如果你觉得你，你的孩子，或你爱的人是自闭症谱系，你可能想要开始诊断过程。

As autism is a varied spectrum of characteristics it can be difficult to identify if a person is autistic. To help you better understand the characteristics here is a summary of what to look out for, according to the latest diagnostic guidelines, the DSM-5.

发育期的迹象

• In order to be diagnosed as autistic, characteristics must have been present in the early developmental period of a person’s life. It can be difficult to pick up on characteristics of autism for many parents, as raising a child in something that is very new to most people. For parents that already have a child diagnosed, they may be more aware of the early charateristics of autism so they pick up on these earlier.Or for other parents that have an older child that is not autistic, they also may pick up on the early characteristics of autism earlier as their children are developing differently. See our characteristics of autism in children checklist page for more information.
• For many adults, they many only become aware of the characteristics of autism in relation to their own behaviours later in life. When they then think back over their life they may start to identify how autism may have impacted their life at different moments such as realising that others seemed to know what others were thinking when they found it difficult to read people’s emotions. Many autistic adults have learnt strategies to support them throughout their lifetime. It is therefore important to think about what characteristics were present at a young age when seeking a diagnosis as an adult. See our characteristics of autism in adults checklist page for more information.

To be diagnosed as autistic an individual does not need to experience challenges in all areas but rather must meet a specific combination of criteria across two domains. It is important to keep in mind that this is just a short summary, and that only trained, accredited professionals can make a formal autism diagnosis.

领域A：社会交往与社会互动

当前或历史上，与语言、社会交流以及不同环境的社会互动有关的差异或挑战。这些困难或差异包括：

• 社会情感沟通和个人交流。
• 用于社会交往的非语言交际行为。
• 发展、维持和理解关系。

领域 B：重复或受限的行为、兴趣或活动

至少在以下两项中限制、重复的行为、兴趣或活动模式：

• 重复的运动、物体的使用或言语。
• Insistence on things being the same, strong preference for routine, or ritualised patterns of verbal or non-verbal behaviour.
• Engage in passions, activities or hobbies with a great focus and which can bring intense enjoyment; and
• Unexpected reactions, to sensory input, or an unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment.

Impact of autism on daily life

For some people autism can impact all areas of life significantly, while for others it can impact certain aspects of life to a lesser degree. Because of this, autism is referred to as a “spectrum” and diagnosed based on both characteristics and the impact that these differences may have on a person’s life over time.

If the characteristics shown by a person are causing significant challenges in social, personal, family, occupational or other important areas of a person’s life then it is likely that the person will be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

If the characteristics are not having a negative impact on a person’s life or relationships, and they are able to engage in all social and interpersonal settings, it’s unlikely that autism will be diagnosed.

No single behaviour confirms or rules out an autism diagnosis. The most important factor is the pattern of behaviours across these areas. These behaviours and difficulties usually appear early in a child’s development.  

Autistic people can show a wide range of behaviours and abilities. At the time of assessment, a “level” of support is assigned (Level 1, 2, or 3). This is meant to show how much support a person might need to keep regulated, calm, and happy, and refers to where the support originates.  

• Level 1- support refers to ‘Support being required’. These supports generally come from the individual themselves. They may have a very individual approach to social communication or sensory inputs and benefit from external supports in specific areas.    
• Level 2 -support refers to ‘High and Sustained Support’, and this might sometimes come from external sources, and sometimes from the individual themselves. 
• Level 3 -support is ‘Very High and Sustained Support’. Support is required all the time, and most of the support comes external from the individual (e.g. from parents, carers or support workers).  

However, this isn’t always accurate as support needs change depending on the environment, the activity, energy levels, who you’re with, and what else is going on in life. Support needs also change over time as the person grows, learns new skills, or faces new challenges. As such, a fixed level doesn’t always reflect the level of support accurately and only indicates how much support is needed at the time of assessment.

While Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) are no longer diagnosed as a separate disorder under the current diagnostic criteria (DSM-5), a person with a pre-existing diagnosis under the previous diagnostic criteria (DSM 4) can continue to use their pre-existing diagnosis.

什么是阿斯伯格综合症？

In 1994 Asperger’s Syndrome appeared as a separate presentation of a pervasive developmental disorder in standard diagnostic manuals.

阿斯伯格综合征在当时发现的主要特征是：

• 社会交往和社会交往的困难
• 受限和重复行为
• 无智力残疾
• 言语发展无延迟

2013 年 5 月，随着最新诊断手册 （DSM 5） 的发布，自闭症诊断标准发生了变化。

Since then “Autistic Disorder” and “Asperger’s syndrome” are no longer differentiated as separate presentation of pervasive developmental disorders, but are now included under the single diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or referred to as autism.

积极的自我认同和自尊

Autistic people can have strengths, skills and passions and often achieve great things, for themselves, their community and our world.

For some people an autism diagnosis can enhance their self-identity and further develop their awareness of their strengths and different way of experiencing the world – autism becomes a positive part of their identity.

Many successful people in our community are autistic, some significant discoveries, developments and achievements have been made by autistic people, and without this neurodiversity in our society we certainly would not have achieved some of our greatest leaps in understanding about our culture, societies, communities and our world.

神经多样性运动

Neurodiversity was first coined in the mid-1900s by the Australian Sociologist, Judy Singer who recognised that “neurologically diverse (people) needed a movement of their own”, and that voicing “differences in neurology should be recognised and respected.”

The neurodiversity movement is a social and advocacy initiative that recognises and values this, based on the preference that neurological differences as natural variations in the human brain. Originating from the autistic rights movement, it now encompasses a range of neurological differences such as ADHD, dyslexia, and Tourette’s Syndrome. This movement is celebrated and important for several reasons.

The movement acknowledges neurological diversity as an essential and natural aspect of human diversity, similar to gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. The movement challenges the traditional view that treats neurological differences as disorders or deficiencies, the movement promotes a more accepting approach which is why it is so celebrated.

The movement also advocates for inclusivity and acceptance in society, urging changes in education, employment, and social policies to cater to diverse neurological needs to benefit all.

The movement empowers neurodivergent individuals, encouraging self-determination and the right to advocate for oneself and highlights the unique strengths and abilities of neurodivergent individuals, instead of focusing solely on challenges and limitations.

With its introduction and gaining of momentum, the neurodiversity movement’s significance in Australia and globally lies in its ability to foster a more inclusive society that respects and supports all forms of human variation, enabling individuals with neurological differences to live respected and fulfilling lives.

孤独症的流行程度如何？

在澳大利亚和国际上，自闭症的确切流行程度不得而知。

However, international prevalence research indicates that around 1% of the international population have an autism diagnosis of sorts. While some countries report higher rates, such as the USA (around 1:45), other countries report much lower prevalence rates.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2022 Disability, Aging and Carers, Australian: Summary of Findings shows that:

• the number of Australian diagnosed as autistic has increased over the past decade, from 164,00 in 2015, 205,200 in 2018 and 290,900 in 2022
• around nine out of ten people diagnosed as autistic are under the age of 25.
• 1 out of 2.2 Australian diagnosed as on the autism spectrum are female
• Around 73% of Autistic people had a profound or severe disability.  

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is due to release more updated data on the autism prevalence in Australia in mid 2024.

虽然世界各地报告的孤独症患病率各不相同，但近年来在自闭症谱系上被诊断的人数明显增加，但这并不意味着世界上的自闭症患者比那里多。是十或二十年前。

有证据表明，这一增加是一些文化和临床因素的结果，包括社会影响，促使人们对自闭症的认识提高，以及诊断程序的改善和诊断标准的变化，使更多的人能够获得诊断。

According to Professor Whitehouse, from Australia’s Autism CRC, research shows the majority of the increase in autism prevalence over this period was due to an increase in diagnosing children with less complex behaviours.

"我们现在认识到，这种情况是沿着谱的呈现的。至关重要的是，我们都知道全方位的演示，以及频谱中的个人为我们的社区带来的相当大的优势，"怀特豪斯教授说。

澳大利亚的自闭症

Autism is a neurological difference, a different way of thinking. The word ‘spectrum’ reflects the diversity of autistic people and how characteristics present. There is not one single cause of autism. The following is an overview of autism in Australia at the time of publication.

Sources:
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022). Disability, Ageing, and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings. [https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/autism-australia-2022.]
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (2018). Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings [https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latestrelease#
autism-in-australia]
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (2015). Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of
Findings, 2015 [https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/4430.0Main%20
Features762015?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4430.0&issue=2015&num=&view=]
• Clark, T., Jung, J. Y., Roberts, J., Robinson, A., & Howlin, P. (2023). The identification of exceptional skills in school age autistic children: Prevalence, misconceptions and the alignment of informant perspectives. Journal of Applied
Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 36(5), 1034–1045. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.13113
• Whitehouse AJO, Evans K, Eapen V, Wray J. A national guideline for the assessment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders in Australia. Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism, Brisbane, 2018.

孤独症的历史是什么？

The understanding of autism has developed over a number of decades. While the term ‘autism’ was defined by Kanner, there is varying evidence that other professionals, including Grunya Efimovna Sukhareva and Paul Bleuler, had recognised the unique presentation of characteristics much earlier than this. Since the 1940’s the diagnostic criteria has evolved and shifted as we learn more but now autism is widely understood as a spectrum of conditions with wide-ranging degrees of presentation.

1943

美国马里兰州巴尔的摩的约翰霍普金斯大学医学院的儿童精神病学家利奥·坎纳（Leo Kanner）写了一篇开创性的文章，其中描述了他诊所的11名儿童，没有向他人倾斜的社会本能。他形容这些孩子主要关注，甚至痴迷于物体，需要同性，以及"对意外变化的抵抗"。为了给这种新的精神疾病起个名字，坎纳用"婴儿孤独症"这个词来命名。孤独症这个词来自希腊语单词"汽车"，意思是"自我"。

1944

A year later, Hans Asperger, a paediatrician at the University of Vienna in Austria wrote an article about children he had observed who shared similar characteristics of those in Kanner’s clinic but on a wider spectrum.

However, it has been suggested that Asperger and colleagues in Vienna had in fact been analysing and describing autism since the 1930s and that colleagues of Asperger actually played a key role in Kanner’s work in the 1940s.

Part of Asperger’s approach was to create a school that was centred around these children’s cognitive strengths rather than any perceived difficulties they faced.

What was notable was the diversity of the characteristics displayed by the children in Asperger’s clinic – an aspect of autism about which we have begun to have a greater understanding in recent years.

As Asperger’s research work was undertaken during the years in which Austria was under control of Nazis, his article was not translated into English for nearly forty years. So that, his findings did not become widely accessible until 1981.

1981

伦敦英国精神病学研究所的儿童精神病学家洛娜·温（Lorna Wing）发表了一篇文章（首次用英语）将自闭症称为包括阿斯伯格综合症的连续体，以表彰汉斯·阿斯伯格的工作。

1989

阿斯伯格综合征首先由自闭症SA在南澳大利亚的儿童中诊断。

1994

阿斯伯格症首次包含在由美国精神病学协会（APA）出版的DSM-4（精神障碍诊断和统计手册，第4版）中。在普遍发育障碍保护伞下的其他诊断包括自闭症，PDD-NOS，儿童分裂障碍和阿斯伯格紊乱。

1996

Lorna Wing coined the phrase Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to describe a range of neurodevelopmental differences, including autism and Asperger syndrome. Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder needed to have met criteria for difficulties in communication, social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, interests or activities. A complete diagnosis relied on these characteristics being experienced from early childhood and at a level which limited or impacted daily living.

2013

更新的 DSM-5 manual redefined the Autism Spectrum Disorder to encompass the previous diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). The new definition no longer includes communication as a separate criterion but incorporates it in the other two domains. Diagnosis is made on the person meeting the required criteria in two areas: social communication and social interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviour. If a person has been diagnosed previously with Asperger syndrome, this generally is maintained.

什么导致孤独症？

A significant amount of research into the causes of autism has been undertaken since the diagnosis was first defined. Autism is highly heterogeneous meaning it is more accurate to think of autisms rather than a single condition, as there are many presentations and multiple contributing factors. While the causes of autism are varied, the strongest contributions come from genetic differences. The bulk of available evidence shows that autism begins prenatally, with early differences in brain development—meaning autistic people are born autistic. 

Emerging research also suggests that an individual’s support needs, and the way their autism presents, can change across their lifetime. Factors such as IQ, adaptive functioning, environment, lived experiences, and access to appropriate supports can all influence how a person’s strengths and challenges are expressed over time. 

遗传学

Autism is a polygenic condition, meaning that many different genetic alterations can contribute to a diagnosis. The MIND Institute (2025) reports that the heritability of autism is estimated to be around 83%, indicating that genetic factors explain most of the likelihood of developing autism, while shared environmental factors contribute minimally. 

Genetic variations associated with autism can include: 

• Rare genetic variants with strong effect 

• Rare genetic variants with moderate effect 

• Common genetic variants 

• Environmental risk factors 

While common genetic variations are believed to account for the largest proportion of autism likelihood (approximately 49%), de novo genetic variations—new changes that are not inherited from parents—are associated with a smaller percentage of cases (around 3%) but can contribute to more profound or complex presentations of autism. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25038753/) 

Research into family genetics and the prevalence of autism has supported this finding. Research has shown that if there is one person in the family diagnosed as autistic, it can increase the likelihood that others in the family will also be on the autism spectrum, at the following rates:

• 姨妈，叔叔，堂兄妹（2-3%）
• 兄弟姐妹和非同卵双胞胎（10%）
• 同卵双胞胎 80% 如果被诊断

For some groups of autistic individuals, it appears that the genes are passed on from a parent directly, for others, genes from both parents are combined, meaning that they are likely to cause neurological differences resulting in autism, while for other individuals there may be genetic differences that have not been passed on, but have arisen during fetal development.

For a number of autistic people there are clear genetic variations that have shown to be the cause of their neurological difference, while for many other people diagnosed there appears to be no significant genetic differences.

Ultimately this means that while genetics seems to be the clear cause for some types of autism, either through de novo or genetic variations, at this stage they do not explain the cause of everyone’s autism.

目前正在研究的其他可能促成因素，因为它们能够影响神经发育，包括：

• Increased Extra Axia Fluid
• White matter development 
  
• Altered production and/or circulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) 
• 低出生体重和早产
• Advanced paternal age at time of conception

Research has identified that every individual on the autism spectrum has different neurology to each other, further supporting the notion that autism is a spectrum of conditions. While there have been a range of research studies into these areas, more research is needed.

There has been significant research into what does not cause autism. It is clear that autism is not caused by vaccines, bad parenting or the food we eat.

关于自闭症和常见误解的事实

你是否发现那些善意的家人和朋友、媒体评论员甚至一些卫生专业人员都让你对你自己或你的孩子的自闭症或疑似自闭症更加关心和困惑？

错误信息和混合信息可能导致内疚感和孤立感，并可能不利于主动诊断和支持计划。虽然全球对孤独症的理解在不断演变，但这里有一些普遍了解的事实，帮助你把一些关于自闭症的误解付诸实践。

孤独症的病因是什么？

It’s natural to want to know what causes autism, however it is likely that there is not one single cause. While genetic differences are known to cause some types of autism (84%), the causes of autism are largely unknown.

We do know that autism is a neurobiological difference, meaning that the brain processes information differently for autistic people, than it does for people who are not autistic.

我们还知道，养育方式不会导致孩子患上自闭症。

孤独症不是由怀孕期间或怀孕前的疫苗接种引起的，麻疹-腮腺炎-风疹（MMR）免疫和自闭症之间的虚假报告联系已被从论文中收回，并且完全被研究抹黑，科学和医学界。

有关目前对自闭症原因进行的研究的更多信息，请访问我们的孤独症原因部分。

如何诊断自闭症？

Fortunately, the way autism is assessed has changed and improved over the last 80 years.

We now recognise a wider range of characteristics as forming part of the autism spectrum.

As awareness increases, parents and professionals are getting better at identifying early characteristics of autism and are more likely to seek an autism assessment.

This contributes to the explanation as to why people think autism is more prevalent today than it was ten or twenty years ago.

有关诊断的更多信息，请访问我们的"如何获取自闭症诊断"页面。

Do autistic people all look and act the same?

Autistic people are part of the diversity that is humanity, where no-one person is the same as another.

早在20世纪40年代完成的研究表明，孤独症是一系列的行为和技能。

有关自闭症行为的更多信息，请访问我们的符号和特征页面。

Are autistic people physically or intellectually disabled?

Autistic people do not look different to other people and are usually physically healthy.

Autism is not an intellectual disability although some autistic people may also be diagnosed with an intellectual disability.

Do autistic people communicate?

Everyone communicates. Many autistic people communicate using speech. For some people the way speech sounds may be unique including using a mono tone, very formal language for the context in which it is used or use an accent. For others, verbal speech might be delayed or many not develop.  It is important to develop ways that a person can communicate their needs to those around them.

有些人使用替代的通信系统，如手语、图片交换系统或辅助技术来与周围的人进行交流。

Do autistic people have emotions?

Autistic people feel the same emotions as their parents, family or friends. People on the autism spectrum may express and feel emotions in a way that is different to people that are not autistic. They may have difficulties in expressing their emotions in a way that non-autistic people understand or recognise- this can cause frustration.

Some autistic people may shout or hit out when distressed but this is usually a reaction or last resort when there is a difficulty in communicating.

It is common for autistic people to have difficulty recognising and interpreting the emotions of others- know as alexithymia-, but many individuals develop strong bonds with important people in their lives such as parents and siblings like everyone else.

For some people, common means of showing affection can be more difficult, such as maintaining eye gaze and physical contact.

有关自闭症行为的更多信息，请访问我们的符号和特征页面。

Do autistic people make friends?

Most autistic people often do want to have friends, but have difficulty engaging socially with others or knowing how to recognise and respond to the intentions and emotions of others, particularly towards non-autistic people. This is known as the double empathy theory.

Understanding how people interact and engage with others is complex and is generally required to form friendships. Many autistic people report that they find this difficult to understand and navigate and often seek supports and services to support their ability to make and maintain relationships, including romantic relationships, relationships at work and social relationship. Planned activities around shared interests are often the key to supporting the development and maintenance of friendships.

有关自闭症行为的更多信息，请访问我们的符号和特征页面。

孤独症能治愈吗？

孤独症不能比眼睛的颜色，声音的音调，你的身高或你的脚的形状更"治愈"。

Early diagnosis and support can help individuals to develop skills necessary for a full, productive and satisfying life.

People who say they or their children were ‘cured’ may have been particularly successful in acquiring skills which enable them to become more effective through their everyday life.

Many people who have a diagnosis of autism are concerned about the concept of “curing” autism, as they feel it is their autism that makes them, them. Many people contribute their successes to being able to think in a totally different way.

这种由自闭症谱系的人领导的孤独症的庆祝性感知被称为神经多样性运动。

讨论孤独症的主题

With an increased awareness of autism in our society you may start to recognise the characteristics of people you know or love as “on the spectrum” or “autistic”.

While it’s exciting that people are becoming more aware of the full spectrum of autism, it’s important for people to also be sensitive about the language they use surrounding it, and when approaching autistic people.

在与可能患有自闭症的人（或他们的家庭）讨论自闭症问题之前，请务必考虑以下事项：

• 为什么你认为向某人提出这个问题很重要？
• 潜在的积极成果是什么，例如支持和理解，或自我意识和身份的提高？
• What are the potential negatives e.g. denial, confusion.
• 您可能需要准备接受负面回应，并提供支持和非判断性。
• 谁可能是提出这个问题的最佳人选——例如，最好来自家庭成员或可信赖的朋友。
• 你会用什么语气？当然，你需要尊重和敏感。
• 避免给出具体建议
• 了解在进行对话之前可能有用的支持服务。
• Remember that you are NOT likely to be in a position to diagnose, unless you are trained to do so. You can raise the topic and suggest the person or family member seeks more information on autism from a recognised and qualified professional.

要了解有关自闭症谱系的更多信息，请参阅我们的体征和特征页面。