What is Autism?

Autism is a natural neurodevelopmental difference. It is not an illness; it is a different way of being. Autistic individuals think, feel, and communicate differently. These differences are part of their identity.

Autism is a “spectrum” because each autistic person is unique. Support needs vary – some need significant daily support, while others may need minimal support. Common strengths include attention to detail, memory, honesty, creativity, and deep focus.

Sensory Processing Differences

Many autistic individuals have sensory processing differences, and may:

Be sensitive to sensory information (over-responsiveness) – find certain sounds, lights, textures, smells, taste, or touch overwhelming or painful and avoid them.
Be slow to notice sensory information (under-responsiveness) – they may appear slow to respond to information in the environment or seek sensory input.
Have both over-responsive and under-responsive sensory needs. For example, an autistic individual may be sensitive to loud, sharp sounds such as an operating hand dryer and vacuum cleaner, but enjoys listening to heavy metal music.
Understanding sensory needs can reduce stress for autistic individual. A sensory diet, an individualized activity plan created by an occupational therapist, can support emotional and sensory regulation.

Communication Differences

Autistic individuals have diverse communication styles. They may use:

Spoken language
Sign language
AAC (e.g., picture/symbol boards, typing, written words)
Echolalia (repeating phrases or songs)

Some may acquire language through gestalt or analytic language processing, or both.

They often prefer direct, factual communication and may take time to respond. These are valid communication styles. Respecting and adapting to a child’s communication style fosters trust and stronger relationships.

Social Interaction Differences

Autistic children and adults may:

Prefer one-on-one or parallel play
Show enjoyment in nontraditional ways (e.g., flapping, jumping)
Find surprises and changes in social responses across different situations challenging, partly due to their need for predictability.
Experience difficulty with back-and-forth social communication (e.g., turn-taking, knowing when to speak).
Find social rules (like eye contact or small talk) confusing or not meaningful.
Enjoy shared activities (like reading or playing games side-by-side) more than direct interaction.
Find social interaction challenging when they also struggle to manage sensory distractions.

These are valid social styles. Many autistic people want connection but express it differently. Respecting their style helps them feel seen and accepted.

Interests & Preferences

Autistic individuals often have deep interests (also called “special interests”). Autistic deep interests are very diverse and not limited to trains, animals, maps, machines, numbers, or specific characters. These interests bring joy, comfort, and learning opportunities. Other preferences may include:

Repetition and routine, which helps them feel safe and in control.
Familiar environments and activities over unfamiliar ones.
Specific sensory input like spinning, rocking, crunching food, or watching patterns.
Solo play, quiet time, or highly structured games.
Certain foods, textures, or sounds and may avoid others.

These preferences are not quirks – they are meaningful ways autistic children engage with the world.

Stimming and Self-Regulation

“Stimming” is short for self-stimulatory behaviour. It refers to repetitive actions that help autistic individuals regulate their emotions, process sensory input, or express joy and excitement. Common stims include:

Hand-flapping
Rocking
Humming or repeating words/sounds
Spinning or watching spinning objects
Sniffing, tapping, or touching objects

Stimming helps with regulation, joy, and stress relief. It’s a meaningful behaviour. Instead of trying to stop autistic individuals from stimming, seek to understand the reasons behind it, respect their regulation style, and support their needs by creating a safer, more inclusive environment.