What is Autism?
The neurological development profile of autistic people is primarily characterized by features in these areas:
- Communication,
- social understanding and social interaction,
- interests,
- behavioral patterns,
- and sensory perception.
The latter often comes with sensory and cognitive particularities.
It’s important to understand that autism is neither an illness nor a disorder to be cured, but rather a different way of perceiving and interacting with the world. Every autistic person is unique, with their own strengths and challenges. One is born autistic, and the genetic component usually plays a decisive role.
The understanding of autism has changed repeatedly over the decades. Even currently, there are different views and ongoing considerations. Some people say it’s an illness, disorder, disability, others say it’s a way of being. Some people talk about people with autism, others about autistic people, autists, or people on the spectrum. The terminology also varies with terms like “autistic persons,” “people with autism,” or “people on the autism spectrum.”
Autism is often described as a spectrum because there is a great variety of experiences and manifestations. Some people may need substantial support, while others can be very independent.
On this online platform, we primarily use neuroaffirmative language, meaning terms and statements that value autistic people. At the same time, we take challenges seriously and encourage people to engage with their attitudes and understanding, and to choose the designation that feels right for them and stand by it.
- Prof. Amanda Kirby summarizes in an article (18/12/2024) the development of understanding autism (and ADHD) in the DSM. “DSM” stands for: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The article is quite long, in complex language and in English. However, it can provide precise insight and overview.
- Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett offer valuable courses and articles on their website to engage with the topic of autism and many different aspects. Their content is in English.
- Bill Nason has written books and offers the Facebook page “Autism Discussion Page” where he shares empathetic and helpful information about autism and tips. This resource is also in English.
If English language is a challenge for you, we suggest using the AI online translator deepl.com. There are also many useful resources in French and German. We will continue to fill this platform with these. You can already find more authors in our book recommendations.
Furthermore, talking with autistic people is helpful to better understand autism. This way, in addition to theoretical, general information, you learn about concrete and individual life worlds.
Sensory Perception
Autistic people can have atypical sensory perception, and the nervous system plays a fundamental role in how autistic people perceive their sensory environment. They may exhibit:
- Hypersensitivity to stimuli: Increased sensitivity to noises, light, smells, or textures, for example, which can cause discomfort, anxiety, or pain.
- Hyposensitivity to stimuli: Low response to sensory stimuli, which sometimes leads to seeking intense stimulation (need for movement, increased physical contact).
- Some senses may be more pronounced than others.
- Sensations can be a source of intense joy or considerable stress.
Sensory perception can be very sensitive (hypersensitive) or conversely very little sensitive (hyposensitive). Stimuli (visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, olfactory, proprioceptive, vestibular) can be perceived very intensely or even painfully. Conversely, they might also be barely perceived at all. Thus, some autistic people don’t really feel whether they’re hungry or thirsty, whether they need to use the bathroom, whether they’re cold or warm. Some autistic people are very sensitive to the fabric or labels of their clothing, the consistency of food, the smell of perfume or deodorant, the noise on the bus or in class, or the sounds in the ventilation. Some senses can be “hyposensitive” and others “hypersensitive” in the same person.
Depending on the case, sensory perception can also be a source of great joy. For example, their favorite food, a movement pattern, water, various objects, or sounds can excite autistic people and relax them very much.
Information Processing
Autistic people often perceive the world differently than non-autistic people. Their brain functions in a special way, causing them to perceive the world differently. These differences mainly show up in two areas:
- Monotropism: This means that attention is very strongly focused on a single thing. Imagine a spotlight that brightly illuminates a single point, instead of weakly illuminating an entire area.
- Sensory filtering: The brain has difficulty filtering the information that comes through the senses (sounds, light, touch, etc.). It’s as if all sounds, images, and sensations come in equally strong, which can lead to sensory overload.
The Monotropism Theory explains it this way: Autistic people focus their attention strongly on one thing, while non-autistic people can attend to several things simultaneously.
This shows up, for example, in that:
- Autistic people sometimes need more time to understand social situations
- They often perceive small details very precisely
- It can be harder for them to concentrate on multiple things simultaneously
- They can be particularly good at understanding patterns and systems
This different way of thinking and perceiving is not better or worse – it’s simply different and brings its own strengths and challenges.
Forms of Communication
The communication of autistic people can vary:
- Some have delayed language development, others don’t
- Some are nonverbal (don’t communicate with spoken words)
- Others may have limited access to spoken language in certain situations
- Some communicate through writing, sign language, or pictograms
- Others sometimes have particularities such as using literal language or difficulties understanding implications.
Some autistic people have delayed language development, others don’t. Some are non-verbal, meaning they don’t communicate with spoken words, others are verbal, meaning they use spoken language.
Some non-speaking autistic people communicate in writing, with sign language, or with pictograms (augmentative and alternative communication – AAC). Some speaking autistic people sometimes have reduced or no access to spoken language, which can also be called situational mutism.
Some autistic people speak slowly, conversation pauses are noticeable. Others speak fluently, quickly. This can also alternate.
Feelings
In the past, people thought autistic people felt less than others. This isn’t true – they feel just as strongly. The difference is in how they express their feelings externally.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found that autistic people:
- Can experience feelings very intensely
- Sometimes show how they feel differently than others expect
- Often need more time to understand their feelings
- Find their own ways to express their feelings
So the problem isn’t that autistic people feel less. The difficulty is rather that society often expects everyone to show their feelings in the same way.
Social Interaction
Autistic people often handle social contacts differently than non-autistic people. Researchers at UCLA and Dr. Damian Milton have found that this is mainly because both groups communicate and respond to each other differently.
Important points are:
How communication happens:
- Autistic people often speak more directly and matter-of-factly, instead of giving hidden social cues
- They use and understand body language differently
- They sometimes need more time to process social situations
Energy for social contacts:
- Social situations can be more exhausting for autistic people
- They need breaks and time alone more often
- They often feel more comfortable in small groups or when they’re alone with one person
Source: “The double empathy problem” on autism.org.uk and reframingautism.org.
Friendships and relationships:
- Can be very close and important
- Often develop through shared interests
- Sometimes need different ways to stay in contact
Other sources: https://www.semel.ucla.edu/autism
Overload, Meltdown, Shutdown
These terms explain what can happen when the nervous system of autistic people becomes overwhelmed:
Overload:
- This happens when too many things affect someone simultaneously – for example, too many sounds, lights, or social contacts
- Can be the first step toward a meltdown or shutdown
Meltdown:
- A strong outward reaction when everything becomes too much
- Can manifest through lots of movement, crying, or outbursts of anger
- The person can’t control it – it’s like a valve that opens
Shutdown:
- An inward reaction when everything becomes too much
- The person withdraws and responds less to their environment
- This is a way the nervous system protects itself
These reactions are not “bad behavior,” but normal reactions when the nervous system is overwhelmed.
Partially from: Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) > “About Autism” (autisticadvocacy.org)
Autistic Burnout
Autistic burnout is a state of extreme exhaustion often caused by sustained efforts to adapt to a neurotypical environment. It usually results from
increased sensory sensitivity and a decreased ability to handle social interactions.
- sensory overload,
- constant social pressure, and
- lack of adapted support.
The symptoms include
- intense fatigue,
- cognitive disturbances (difficulty concentrating, memory disorders)
- increased sensory sensitivity and a decreased ability to handle social interactions