Understanding your autism
Let’s start with some fun questions…
- Would you rather have to do homework next to a pile of stinky socks, or while wearing a scratchy jumper?
- Would you rather live at the North Pole or in a desert?
- Would you rather be able to speak any language in the world, or speak to any animal?
If you asked these questions to everyone on your street, they would have lots of different answers! Why? Because everyone’s brain works in its own special way.
What is neurodiversity?
Your brain gets information from the world around you – like sounds, smells, and feelings – and then decides what to do.
Neurodiversity means that everyone’s brain works a bit differently. Some people’s brains work in similar ways, and some work in ways that are really unique.
- “Neuro” = about your brains
- “Diversity” = differences
When we talk about neurodiversity, we’re talking about all these different ways of thinking, learning, and seeing the world.
Different ways of doing things
Knowing about neurodiversity can help us understand why everyone processes and experiences things differently – and there is no “right” way.
Look at these two stories:
Alex and Rosie have a test in their maths class today. They both want to concentrate and do their best. Alex is quiet and still, so all his attention is on the questions. Rosie listens to music and uses a fidget toy to help her focus. They both ace their tests, using completely different strategies.
Jamal and Rachel each went shopping to get the ingredients to bake a cake, but forgot their shopping lists. Jamal tried to remember which ingredients were needed but found it hard to hold the recipe in his mind. He decided to take his time walking down every aisle, looking at all the groceries. He could not remember the list, but he could recognize what he needed when he saw it. Rachel also felt stuck without her list. For her, the sounds, lights, and smells of the supermarket made her feel very anxious. She decided to go outside and sit quietly, remembering the shopping list in her head. When she was ready, she went back in and did her shopping as fast as possible. They both bought the ingredients for a delicious cake, but they solved the “no shopping list” problem using very different strategies. Jamal’s memory was not so helpful, but he was able to relax, take his time, and recognise what he needed. The sensory environment caused Rachel some initial difficulty, but she used her memory and got her shopping done quickly, before the sounds and lights got overwhelming.”
These stories show how people can find different ways to solve problems, depending on how their brains work.
Autism and the world around us
Being autistic is part of being neurodivergent. Even though there are some challenges, it doesn’t mean you don’t have lots of strengths! But sometimes, the world isn’t set up to help neurodivergent people. For example:
- In school, teachers might expect everyone to sit still and be quiet during a test. But you might need to listen to music or move around a bit.
- Some rules or routines might not work for how you think or learn.
Sometimes, the world has to change a bit (or a lot) so that everyone can do their best.
Let’s bust some myths about autism
Misconceptions like the ones mentioned below can be hurtful to autistic individuals and their loved ones. They oversimplify the complex realities of living with autism and perpetuate misunderstandings that hinder acceptance, accommodation, and inclusion.
Myth
Autism only happens in children.
Fact
Autistic kids grow into autistic adults – it’s a part of who you are your whole life.
Myth
You’re either “high-functioning” or “low-functioning.”
Fact
Autism is a spectrum, which means there’s a lot of different ways it can look. Everyone has their own mix of things they’re good at and things they might need help with.
Myth
Autism is a learning disability.
Fact
Autism is not a learning disability, but some autistic people learn in their own way or might also have a learning disability.
Myth
You can tell if someone is autistic just by looking at them.
Fact
Autism doesn’t have a “look.” Autistic people can be anyone!.
Myth
Vaccines or parenting styles cause autism.
Fact
Autism is something you’re born with—it’s not caused by anything someone does or doesn’t do.
Myth
All autistic people have a super special skill.
Fact
Some autistic people have special interests, but not everyone has a super skill!
Myth
Autistic people don’t have empathy.
Fact
Autistic people can care very deeply, but they might show it in different ways.
What does autism look like?
As we’ve learnt, every autistic child is different and entirely unique, however we do know that there are some common things which most do experience. Some you may have noticed include:
-
- Lack of social exchanges such as pointing or showing you things
-
- Reacting to other people in an unusual way
-
- Often prefers to be alone
-
- Delayed speech or repeating specific words over and over
-
- Avoids maintaining eye contact
-
- Excessively following routines and displaying distress at changes
-
- Repetitive movements, such as flapping hands, rocking or spinning
-
- Strongly reacting to sensory input, such as loud sounds or at crowded places
-
- Narrow range of interests, such as only playing with certain toys
-
- Challenges with toilet training
-
- Trouble understanding body language and social cues
-
- Following instructions very strictly
-
- Difficulty making friends
-
- Narrow range of interests, such as only talking about certain topics
-
- Sensory challenges such as a heightened or reduced sense of touch, sound or vision
Your strengths and superpowers
Even though there can be challenges, that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you’re really good at, too. Everyone is different, and lots of autistic people have amazing strengths and talents in all sorts of things.
- Emphasis on accuracy
- Creativity and innovation
- Technical and design strengths
- Unique approach to problem-solving
- High levels of concentration and accuracy
- Strong recall of detailed facts and information
- Reliability
- Attention to detail and/or the ability to hyperfocus
- Memory ability
- Innovative thinking and detailed observation
- Ability to excel in repetitive or routine tasks
- Specialized individual skills in art, music, reading, and/or computation
How does autism make you unique?
Take a look at the below, and think of the different ways you experience autism, some people may notice more symptoms, some people may notice fewer symptoms, remember, everyone is different.
Challenges in using and understanding language, sarcasm, humour and body language (e.g. lack of eye contact, limited/animated facial expressions)
Sensory aversive (e.g. noise sensitivity) or sensory seeking behaviours (touching and feeling things)
A need for routine and struggle with changes
Repetitive body movements such as stimming, rocking or finger flicking
Lack of theory of mind – cannot understand peoples’ perspectives
Difficulty participating in tasks with no clear ending such as open writing tasks
Fixation/intense interests – might change over time
Inability to initiate or maintain friendships
Failure to seek pleasure from social interactions
Needing things in a specific manner – non-functional rituals and compulsions
Next session
Our next session will look at ways in which you can help manage your difficulties and will be developing a tool kit for you to use in times of difficulty.