What is Autism, Really?

Let's skip the clinical definition. Let's talk about what autism actually feels like from the inside.

"Autism isn't something I have. It's something I am. It shapes how I see, think, feel, and experience every moment of existence." — Autistic advocate

The TL;DR Version

Autism means your brain is wired differently. Not wrongly—differently.

This affects:

• 🎧 How you experience the world (sensory stuff—sound, light, touch, everything)
• 🧩 How you process information (details first, patterns everywhere)
• 💬 How you communicate (often more direct and literal)
• 🎯 What you focus on (deep dives, not shallow skimming)
• 🔋 What drains and charges your batteries

Forget What You Think You Know

Autism isn't:

• A childhood disorder (you don't "grow out of it")
• A male condition (women are massively underdiagnosed)
• A lack of empathy (many autistic people feel TOO much)
• Rare (about 1 in 31 people—you definitely know autistic people)

What It Actually Looks Like

👁️ You See Details First

While others see the forest, you see each individual tree. This is called bottom-up processing. (More in Cognitive Processing)

🎧 Your Senses Are Turned Up (Or Down)

That background music in the coffee shop? To you, it might feel like someone's playing drums inside your skull. (See Sensory Processing)

🎯 You Focus Like a Laser

When something grabs you, you can go deeper than most people ever will. The downside? Switching focus can feel like ripping yourself away. (See Cognitive Processing)

The Spectrum Isn't a Line

It's more like a mixing board—with different sliders for different traits. Someone might have high sensory sensitivity + low support needs for daily tasks. Everyone's mix is unique.

The Neurodiversity Perspective

Old View	Neurodiversity View
Autism is a disorder	Autism is a neurotype
Goal: make them "normal"	Goal: help them thrive as themselves
Focus on deficits	Acknowledge challenges AND strengths
Experts know best	Autistic people are the experts

This Doesn't Mean...

...that challenges aren't real. Sensory pain is real. Executive dysfunction is real. Burnout is real. The neurodiversity perspective just says: support people as they are.

The Strengths

• Pattern recognition that catches what others miss
• Deep expertise in areas of interest
• Direct, honest communication
• Systematic thinking and attention to detail

The Real Challenges

• Sensory overload in environments not designed for you
• Energy drain from navigating a neurotypical world
• Masking exhaustion from pretending to be someone you're not
• Executive dysfunction making "simple" tasks feel impossible

Common Co-Occurring Conditions

Condition	More Info
ADHD	ADHD Connection
Anxiety/Depression	Related Conditions
Sleep issues	Sleep
GI problems	GI Issues
Hypermobility/EDS	EDS

Where to Go From Here

🧠 Want the Brain Science?

The Autistic Brain & Genetics — The neuroscience, explained for humans

🔥 Struggling Right Now?

Masking & Burnout — If you're running on empty

🆕 Just Diagnosed?

Late Diagnosis Guide — Processing what this means

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The question isn't "what's wrong with you?" It's "what do you need to thrive?"