Autism Awareness Month: what should the world know about autism? In pictures

Standing alone by Luke Dicker. “If you don’t fit in and you don’t know how to be part of a team, it is the loneliest place in the world. I want to be accepted but I still want to be me at the same time.”
Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

My thinking place by Josie Ryan. The photo was taken on the way home from Josie's weekly boarding school on a Friday afternoon.
Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

Looking at the outside world from the inside by David Nicholson. “I often sometimes feel isolated from how the wider world works and operates. Often I feel as though I'm in a little bubble in my own completely disconnected from the outside world.”
Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

Off the ground by Luke Dicker. “I’m always full of energy. I’m very glad I’m hyperactive in some ways because everything you do you have to think about ... It can be extremely tiring. But it’s also good, because it makes me curious about everything.” Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

ASD by Josie Ryan. The picture was taken to show that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are more common than people think. "I bet most people miss this on their keyboards and don't see it, a bit like ASD in our communities."
Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

Cian Binchy as Basil in Fawlty Towers at the Christmas show. He said: "I am proud of this picture, and I want people to understand that my having autism does not limit my achievements." Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

Fun with fish by Genevieve Fletcher. She says: “This composition of a solitary figure absorbed in the pursuit of a single goal is perhaps reminiscent of the autistic individual." Photograph: Ambitious About Autism

Akintade and Maggie. Akintade's teacher says: "He used to be really nervous around dogs, but you would never guess that when you see him now with Maggie." Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

Puzzled by Cerys Evans whose identity is made up of many roles. Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

Akintade Adebayo is able to follow a pattern of coloured stickers and press the correct notes on his keyboard. He played We Wish You a Merry Christmas at a recital in front of his class, and is working on being more independent with his playing. Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

A passion for politics reading by David Nicholson. He says: “I am immensely passionate about politics and reading and find that I can learn a lot through reading politics on my own in my flat” Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

Cian took this photo of his brother, Conor, 17, after he had been chased by a dog. He says: "Conor is on the lower end of the autistic spectrum from me. He used to like dogs, but one time he had a bad experience with one, and he's been scared ever since." Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

Needful implement by Genevieve Fletcher. “Behaviour patterns specific to autistic people may be incomprehensible to those attempting to initiate change or eradicate those behaviours. Gloves are not only coping mechanisms, reducing contact that many autistic individuals are extremely sensitive to, but also protection in an increasingly unhygienic environment."
Photograph: Ambitious about Autism

A family Christmas by Cerys Evans. "A traditional get together on a special event makes the whole world seem warmer." Photograph: Cerys Evans/Ambitious about Autism