Autism Diagnostic Service (LADS)
The following four films offer an insight into life with autism, looking at everything from its sensory impact, to the importance of routine and the way autism is portrayed in the media and popular culture.
In the films, we hear from James McGrath, a Doctor and Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, who received his diagnosis from our service.
Please see here for the easy read leaflet for information on what autism is like.
An introduction to autism
This is the first film in a suite of films, about autism in adults. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s communication, social interaction, interests, behaviour and ability to process everyday sensory information.
The sensory world
This is the second film in a suite of films, about autism in adults. his film focuses on the sensory issues associated with autism which are now accepted as part of the diagnostic criteria for autism – “Hyper- or hypo reactivity to sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment” (DSM-5 2013).
Routines and rituals
This is the third film in a suite of films, about autism in adults. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities are part of the diagnostic criteria for autism.
Autism and the media
This is the fourth film in a suite of films, about autism in adults. In this film, James is joined by Professor Stuart Murray, Professor of Contemporary Literature and Film at the School of English at the University of Leeds. This film looks at the media portrayal of autism and the problems these stereotypes may cause clinicians in limiting their clinical viewpoint of the condition.