18/02/2026
Autism, formally called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition. This means it affects how a person’s brain develops and how they communicate, interact socially, learn, and experience the world. It is described as a “spectrum” because autistic people can have a wide range of strengths, differences, and support needs.
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What is Autism?
Autism typically:
• Appears in early childhood (even if diagnosed later)
• Lasts across the lifespan
• Involves differences in social communication, behaviour, and sensory processing
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Core Traits of Autism
1. Social Communication Differences
Autistic individuals may:
• Find back-and-forth conversations difficult
• Use or understand non-verbal communication (eye contact, facial expressions, gestures) differently
• Take language literally (difficulty with sarcasm, idioms)
• Prefer direct, clear communication
• Struggle to interpret others’ emotions or intentions (this can vary widely)
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2. Social Interaction Differences
They may:
• Prefer alone time or structured social interactions
• Find it hard to initiate or maintain friendships
• Interact differently rather than lacking interest in others
• Feel socially exhausted after interactions
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3. Restricted or Repetitive Behaviours and Interests
This can include:
• Repetitive movements (e.g., hand-flapping, rocking, pacing)
• Strong preference for routines and predictability
• Distress when routines change unexpectedly
• Intense, focused interests in specific topics
• Repeating words, phrases, or sounds (echolalia)
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4. Sensory Processing Differences
Autistic people may be:
• Over-sensitive or under-sensitive to sensory input such as:
• Sounds
• Lights
• Textures
• Smells
• Taste
• Easily overwhelmed in noisy or busy environments
• Comforted by certain sensory experiences (pressure, movement, repetition)
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5. Emotional Regulation and Executive Function Differences
Some individuals may:
• Have difficulty managing emotions
• Experience meltdowns or shutdowns when overwhelmed (not the same as tantrums)
• Find planning, organising, or transitioning between tasks challenging
• Need extra time to process information
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Strengths Often Associated with Autism
Many autistic individuals show strengths such as:
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent memory for specific topics
• Deep focus and persistence
• Honesty and loyalty
• Unique problem-solving perspectives
• Creativity and originality
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Important Points to Remember
• Autism looks different in every person
• Intelligence levels vary widely (from intellectual disability to giftedness)
• Many autistic people mask their traits, especially girls and adults
• Autism is not caused by parenting, trauma, or vacc
