.png)
What is autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people experience the world — including how they communicate, process information, and connect with others.
It’s not a mental illness.
It’s not caused by parenting.
And it’s not a one-size-fits-all experience.
Scroll down to learn what autism really is — and isn’t.
.png)
A neurodevelopmental condition - not a behaviour problem
Autism affects brain development and how someone interacts with the world. It’s part of a group of conditions known as neurodevelopmental conditions, which also includes ADHD, dyslexia, and others.
People are born autistic — it’s not something caused by trauma, vaccines, or parenting. It’s simply a different way of thinking, sensing, and experiencing life.
You may have seen the autism spectrum shown as a line — from “mild” to “severe.” But that’s not accurate. Autism isn’t about how autistic you are — it’s about how autism affects you in different areas of life.
Think of the spectrum more like a colour wheel or spider chart. Each person has a unique profile based on traits like:
-
Communication
-
Sensory processing
-
Emotional regulation
-
Motor skills
-
Executive functioning
These traits can vary from day to day depending on mood, environment, and energy. When these changes happen, a person can have a very different set of needs, so it's important to be flexible and get to know an autistic person before deciding what will and won't help them.
Autistic person's profile on a good day
Autistic person's profile on a tired day
Please note: these diagrams are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the full range of autistic traits.
Autism is | Autism is not |
|---|---|
Neurodevelopmental
Lifelong
A different way of thinking and experiencing the world
A disease
Bad behaviour
Caused by vaccines
How is autism diagnosed?
To be diagnosed as autistic, a person must show:
-
Persistent differences in social communication and interaction, and
-
Restricted, repetitive behaviours, interests, or routines
Many also experience sensory sensitivities — being either overwhelmed or under-responsive to things like noise, light, textures, or smells.
Diagnosis is made by specialists using criteria from tools like the DSM-5 or ICD-11.
Remember:
✅ Language and cognitive abilities vary widely
❌ You don’t have to be non-speaking to be autistic
❌ Having a language delay doesn’t automatically mean you’re autistic
There's no such thing as "mild" autism
Terms like “high-functioning” and “mild autism” can be misleading. Just because someone appears to be coping doesn’t mean they’re not struggling.
Autism isn’t a measure of how much support someone needs, but a description of how their brain works. Support should always be tailored to the individual.
.png)
If you can’t see the struggle, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. ‘Mild’ can mean ‘good at hiding it’.
Autism is lifelong, not something you "grow out of"
Autism is lifelong. Children with autism grow up to be autistic adults. Their profile may change with age, but the core way they process the world remains the same.
Some autistic people need support throughout life, while others live independently and thrive in their careers. One profile is not “better” than another, they're just different.
Autism often comes with other conditions
It’s common for autistic people to also experience:
-
ADHD
-
Anxiety
-
Sensory Processing Disorder
-
Sleep difficulties
-
Learning differences or disabilities
-
Physical health conditions
That’s why it’s important to look at each person holistically and not assume all challenges are “just autism.”
.png)