What is Autism?
Last reviewed and updated: 26 August 2026
What is in this guide... (Feel free to read at your own pace and skip sections as you like. Click any topic below to jump to that section).
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Neurodiversity and autism
Everyone's brain is wired differently, which means that people process information in different ways, producing varied ways of thinking that may not always fall within societal expectations. This diversity in the human brain is known as neurodiversity.
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Neurodivergence encompasses a range of neurotypes that fall outside of social norms and expectations, including Autism.
What is Autism?
Autism refers to a neurodevelopmental condition relating to how brains are wired. Autistic people share certain patterns in how they think, feel, communicate and interact with the world around them, which differs from "allistic" experiences - a term for people who aren't autistic.
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While autistic people share certain traits, there's no single way to describe autism or what it means to be autistic. Individual experiences vary widely, shaped further by factors like gender and culture. As a spectrum condition, it means autistic people experience a range of traits, each in their own way.
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Autism is lifelong, and it is neither something caught nor developed over time. It is also not a mental illness. Medically, it's termed Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some autistic people are comfortable with this label, however others may find it offensive, feeling it frames their identity as a "disorder." It's always best to ask an autistic person how they'd like their identity described.
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Importantly, autism isn't something to be cured. It's a natural variation in the human brain.
Common characteristics shared by autistic people:
Autistic people's communication styles differ from those of allistic people. This does not mean wrong or less. A common misconception is that autistic people lack communication skills. It is important to note that there is no one right way of communicating, and that, given our needs and capabilities, there are varied ways of communicating with people - be it verbal or non-verbal.
Communication
Direct language is often associated with autistic communication styles and may be interpreted by others as blunt or rude. In reality, autistic people tend to use words literally, favouring conciseness and honesty in how they communicate. This isn't rudeness - it reflects literal thinking, which means using words precisely rather than relying on indirect meanings.
Literal thinking is a common trait of autistic communication, and it's often reduced to the idea that autistic people just don't get jokes or sarcasm. But this is not the whole picture. Autistic people tend to take meaning directly from the words themselves, rather than searching for implied or hidden messages behind them. This is simply a different and equally valid way of processing language and one that can be seen as direct and honest.
One way non-autistic people can accommodate this trait is to listen closely to the words an autistic person actually uses, rather than assuming that they are just being rude. Directness is not a lack of politeness, rather it's simply a different way of communicating. In fact, when an autistic person speaks directly, it often means they've "unmasked" and feel comfortable enough to do so with that particular person.
Repetitive behaviours and stimming
Autistic people may engage in repetitive behaviours. One form of this is known as stimming, short for self-stimulatory behaviour.
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Stimming involves repeated movements, such as:
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Flapping hands or arms
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​Rocking forwards and backwards
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Tapping fingers or feet
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Twirling hair
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Pacing
Repetitive behaviour can also look like listening to the same songs on repeat, eating the same meals regularly, or taking the same path every time you go for a walk.
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Allistic people might find these behaviours unusual, but they're not pointless and shouldn't be discouraged. For many people, autistic and allistic alike, routine and repetition help regulate emotions during stressful times. These behaviours may simply be more visible, or more necessary, for autistic people - often because their minds are processing so much that routines free up mental space by avoiding decision paralysis and overload.
Sensory Sensitivity
Autistic people may be more sensitive or less sensitive to things like brightness, sounds, textures, or temperatures. This sensitivity varies from person to person, and shifts depending on the environment.
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The same heightened sensitivity that makes a loud, crowded space overwhelming can also create a richer experience of music someone loves or textures they find comforting. What feels distressing in one situation can feel energising or even calming in another. Getting the right sensory input can make a real difference to how an autistic person feels and the right environment can help them feel like themselves.
Special Interests
Autistic people may develop very strong interests, whether in everyday topics or niche ones. They might engage deeply with these interests for a short or long stretch of time, but what sets them apart from hobbies is the time and energy invested in them - often far more than a non-autistic person would put into a hobby, building up a remarkably high level of knowledge and expertise in them.
These "special interests" can be understood through the concept of monotropism: a thinking style in which a person maintains intense focus on a small number of things at a time. This can mean missing things outside that focus, or quickly forgetting things once attention has moved on. This way of thinking resonates with many Autistic people, ADHDers, and AuDHDers, and it shapes how they communicate and approach learning.
Remember that it’s not weird to have a special interest. It’s actually pretty cool to care so deeply about something and become an expert in it, no matter how niche that is.
Coping strategies
We all have different ways of coping with certain situations, and that is okay. The ways we meet those needs can be different too.
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Wearing headphones/ ear plugs to avoid sensory overload
Using fidget toys
Spending time alone rather than in group settings
Finding a quiet space and taking time to recharge during and after social situations
Preferring to connect with others online before going to in-person events
Preparing well ahead before a social situation so you know what to expect - this could be trialling a new route to a place days before you have to actually be there
Having a plan for if things get too overwhelming
Having a person you trust who can be there for support in social situations
​Saying "no" to things that are not right for you and being selective about where you put your energy
Having routines and a sense of repetition in every day life
Setting alarms as reminders to drink, eat, or for daily tasks
Some things that autistic people might find helpful
The problem with "everyone is a little autistic"
A common misconception is that "everyone is a little autistic." This dismisses how differently autistic people experience the world, and overlooks the barriers they face in a society not designed for their ways of thinking. Similarly, "everyone is on the spectrum" is misleading.
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Many non-autistic people relate to traits like enjoying routine or feeling overwhelmed in loud spaces. But experiencing these occasionally is very different from being autistic, for whom such experiences are consistent and shape daily life. Relating to a trait doesn't mean sharing the same lived experience.
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Furthermore, there's no single line that makes someone "more" or "less" autistic. Each autistic person has their own expression of autism, with their own skills, strengths, challenges, and needs. This idea that it is one straight line creates the notion that autism is fixed, when it is not. What feels manageable one day may feel overwhelming the next, depending on so many factors, such as the environment and energy levels. Treating autism as a single fixed spectrum ignores this, and feeds into harmful “functioning” labels, often used to deny autistic people support or undermine their right to make their own decisions.
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The real issue isn't that people need support, but it's that society creates barriers to accessing it, or makes people feel undeserving because they seem to be "coping well enough." Changing this starts with listening to autistic people, and being a little bit more kind and empathetic to get to a more inclusive society.
How non-autistic people can show support
Every autistic person is different - there is no one size fits all. As the saying goes, “when you meet one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism”. While autism shapes lived experiences, especially in a world designed for non-autistic people, we are all still individuals. It is important to remember this, and to get to know people as the unique individuals they are.
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If you are non-autistic, here are some ways you can show support:​
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Communicate clearly, avoid saying things that require people to read between the lines, and give extra time to process what has been said
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Listen and be willing to learn. Let go of neurotypical assumptions and expectations, and accept that there are a myriad ways of being and interacting with the world
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Respect preferences, listen, and show patience. If you’re unsure about something, ask kindly.
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Behavioural communication can go a long way
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Even when you can’t understand someone’s own experiences, accept and respect them to be just as real and true as your own lived experiences