What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person experiences the world, communicates, and relates to others. It is lifelong and can influence social interaction, thinking patterns, sensory experiences, and behaviour.

Autism is linked to differences in how the brain develops and processes information. These differences are present from early development and affect how people understand and respond to their environment.

Autism is not a mental health illness or caused by parenting. It is a natural variation in neurodevelopment and how people think, sense, and relate.

Core Areas of Difference

Autism is currently understood through two main domains:

Social Communication and Interaction

- Difficulty with back-and-forth conversation

- Trouble understanding social cues like tone, facial expressions, or body language

- Challenges forming or maintaining social relationships

Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours or Interests

- Strong preference for predicatbility, routines or sameness

- Intense focus on specific interests

- Repetitive movements or speech (e.g. flapping, lining up, echolalia)

- Sensory differences (e.g. strong reactions to sound, light, touch, or textures)

How Autism Presents Differently

Autism does not look the same in every person. Some people experience obvious challenges in everyday life, while others may be more subtle or internal.

Traits can also change over time. A person might cope well in early childhood but struggle more in adolescence or adulthood when life becomes more complex and socially demanding.

Some autistic people may also have learning difficulties or use limited or non-verbal communication. Others may have strong spoken language skills and very high levels of intelligence.

Autism is not defined by ability or appearance. Whether someone needs daily support or appears to be coping outwardly, their experience is equally valid.

Everyone's profile is different—and all are equally important and deserving of understanding and support.

What Might Autism Look Like?

In Children:

- Difficulty playing with peers or understanding pretend play

- Strong attachment to routines or rituals

- Repetitive behaviours or movement

- Delayed or unusual speech and communication

- Intense interest in specific topics or objects

- Strong reactions to noise, textures, or changes

In Teenagers:

- Struggles with social nuance, friendships, or group situations

- Difficulty managing emotions or sudden changes

- Overwhelmed by sensory input

- Withdrawal or shutdown in busy environments

- May appear anxious, oppositional, or misunderstood

In Adults:

- Feeling socially exhausted or misunderstood

- Difficulty reading between the lines or navigating unspoken rules

- Preference for routines, structure, or specific interests

- Challenges with multitasking, change, or unstructured environments

- May appear successful externally but feel overwhelmed or disconnected internally.

It’s Not Always Obvious

Many autistic people learn to "mask" or hide their traits to fit in with others. They may force eye contact, copy social behaviours, or suppress stimming.

This is common in:

- Women and girls

- Adults diagnosed later in life

- People also experiencing anxiety or ADHD

Masking can help someone appear to cope but may lead to burnout, anxiety, or a loss of identity.

Why Consider an Assessment?

An autism assessment can:

- Help you understand your strengths and challenges

- Explain long-standing difficulties or patterns

- Open the door to specific adjustments at work, school, or university

- Provide clarity and validation of your experience

- Guide strategies, support, and self-advocacy

You do not have to struggle alone or meet every trait in a textbook way. If you feel your experience aligns with autism, an assessment can help you understand yourself better and find support that fits.