What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong neurodivergence that influences how people experience and interact with the world. More than one in 100 people are autistic, with at least 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK alone.
Understanding Autistic Diversity
Each autistic person is unique, with their own individual combination of characteristics, strengths, and support needs. There’s no single way to be autistic. Like all people, autistic individuals have their own personalities, backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences that shape who they are.
Core Characteristics
The presence and noticeability of these characteristics can vary a lot between autistic people.
To receive an autism diagnosis, specialists look for lifelong differences, in comparison to non-autistic people in:
Social Communication and Interaction: Autistic people might have different communication styles, using words, tone, and body language differently. Some communicate through spoken language in direct or detailed ways. Others use few words, communicate through writing, gestures, pictures, technology, sounds, movement, or behaviour. Some don’t use spoken language but communicate clearly through their chosen methods. Many are developing communication skills at their own pace. Some autistic people “mask” – consciously or unconsciously suppressing their natural responses and adding layers to hide their true selves, often as a response to trauma, invalidation or stigma. This can be exhausting and hide support needs. (Learn more: Kieran Rose – The Autistic Advocate on Autistic Masking) These aren’t deficits – they’re different ways of communicating.
Need for Certainty, Routines, Structure and Interests: This includes focused interests, repeated movements (stimming), and preferences for order, predictability, and routine. These help autistic people feel safe and regulated in an unpredictable world. Many autistic people view these as positive ways to stay calm and manage daily life.
Sensory Differences: Autistic people can be much more or less sensitive to sights, sounds, touch, taste, smell, balance, and internal awareness. This can vary between different senses or even within the same sense – for example, being over-sensitive to one type of sound but under-sensitive to another type of sound. This connects to monotropism – autistic minds tend to focus attention intensely on fewer things at once, creating deep “attention tunnels.” This means difficulty multitasking but incredible depth and expertise in areas of focus. (Learn more: Monotropism – the mind as an interest system)
Here is a link to more information Criteria and tools used in an autism assessment
The Golden Equation and Double Empathy
Autism + Environment = Outcome (Dr. Luke Beardon) (Learn more: Autism + Environment = Outcome. Dr Luke Beardon’s Golden Equation & Stimming — All Things Stim)
That outcome might be positive or negative, but the person who is autistic remains the same, it is the environment that leads to the outcome. So, if you want a successful outcome, and you recognise that an autistic person cannot change their brain, the only thing that you can change is the environment. And that often, but not always means people within that environment. Challenges aren’t just about autism – they’re significantly influenced by how accommodating environments are.
The Double Empathy Problem (Dr. Damian Milton) shows that communication difficulties go both ways. Autistic people communicate effectively with other autistic people, just as non-autistic people do with each other. Problems arise when very different communication styles meet. Currently, autistic people bear the burden of adapting to neurotypical norms with little expectation for others to understand autistic experiences. (Read more: The double empathy problem )
Neurodivergence
Neurodivergence refers to individuals whose brains function significantly differently from the majority, representing natural variation in a minority that diverges from the norm. Neurodiversity is the diversity found across the entire population – recognising that no brain type is more valid than another, whether neurotypical or neurodivergent.
Autism commonly occurs alongside other neurological differences, including ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia/DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder), and Tourette’s syndrome. Around a third of autistic people also have learning disabilities, and mental health challenges like anxiety and depression are more common.
ADHD commonly occurs with autism – many people are both autistic and be ADHD (sometimes called AuDHD). Both involve differences in attention and executive functioning. Having both can create a complex profile where traits might amplify, conflict, or mask each other. For example, ADHD impulsivity might override autistic need for routine, or autism masking might hide ADHD hyperactivity. Understanding both conditions together is important for appropriate support.
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is anxiety-driven resistance to being controlled. Unlike sensory-based demand avoidance, PDA is about autonomy threats rather than task difficulties. Support needs to focus on reducing anxiety, offering choices, and collaboration rather than direction. (More information: PDA Society – Pathological Demand Avoidance)
What is Neuro-Affirmative Language?
Language matters because it shapes how we think about and treat autistic people. Neuro-affirmative language respects autistic people’s experiences and avoids harmful assumptions.
Personal preferences are important. Many autistic people prefer “autistic person” rather than “person with autism” because autism is an integral part of who they are, not something separate they carry. Always respect how individuals choose to describe themselves.
“High functioning” and “low functioning” labels are problematic because they confuse cognitive abilities with autistic characteristics. Someone might have learning differences but find being autistic manageable, while another might be academically gifted but struggle significantly with sensory and social demands. Every person deserves individual understanding of their strengths, challenges, and support needs.
Is Autism a Disability?
Autism does meet the definition of being a disability, but some autistic people don’t like this term and don’t feel it describes their experiences. Sometimes being clear that autism is a disability can help people access support they need. What matters most is respecting each person’s perspective on their own experience.
“Are We All a Little Bit Autistic?”
Many people say this, usually with good intentions, but it can be interpreted as offensive as it devalues autistic people’s experiences. While we all share human characteristics, someone with an autism diagnosis (including self-identification) will have their own unique clustering of characteristics that significantly impact daily life, creating distinct strengths, challenges, and support needs.
Creating Inclusive Environments
Rather than expecting autistic people to adapt alone, we need:
- Mutual understanding of different communication styles
- Environmental adjustments for different sensory needs
- Recognition that communication difficulties are mutual
- Autistic peer support and connections
Learning and Community with AWARE
Understanding autism is an ongoing journey. AWARE supports families of autistic children and young people (diagnosis not required) across Airedale, Wharfedale, Bradford, Craven and beyond.
We believe in valuing each individual, creating belonging, building community through peer support, and providing early help. Join our tribe to connect with others who understand, access support through services, and participate in activities designed with autistic people at the heart.
Join us – Join AWARE now! – AWARE to learn more and become part of our community.
