The Autistic Experience
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Autism is complex neurodevelopmental difference. Autistic individuals have a hyper-connected brain which leads to a fundamentally different experience of reality. This whole process is invisible. It is how our brains function and not something you can see by looking at a person.
Historically, people have been diagnosed as Autistic based on how other individuals perceive and experience them and their potentially disruptive behaviors. The difference in what autism actually is - an invisible difference in the brain- versus what the diagnostic criteria have been - based on visible differences perceived by others - has led to the particular situation we are in now.
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Many Autistic people have gone their whole lives knowing they were different and never finding an answer or a reason that could explain why. With advanced science and research into genetics, neuroscience and the causes of autism, combined with the help of the internet to share this information and our experiences, we are finding each other.
Some Autistic people were diagnosed as children. Others diagnosed as adults. Another portion still of Autistic adults are self-diagnosed rather than formally diagnosed. There remains a high level of stigma in the general population towards both the word autism and towards Autistic individuals for being visibly different.
We certainly are an odd bunch. All of us different from the general population, and different from each other, even. Each of us has a uniquely human experience. People carry multiple identities; we are women, we are men, sometimes we are both or neither, we are white, black and brown, we are queer, we are immigrants, we are all those things, and sometimes we are also Autistic.
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As Autistic people, we have many common experiences in the world that are not shared by non-autistic people. Of course, neurotypicals will experience some of these things some of the time. But they will do so at a different rate and intensity than we do.​
The following is an explanation of some of the most common parts of the Autistic experience.​
Communication Style
Autistic people prefer conversations that follow an information sharing style where the leading purpose is to share information and facts about the world. We like to be direct, literal, accurate and compassionate with our words, and expect others to do the same.
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Autistic Masking
Masking is the process of hiding and suppressing one's internal experience in order to project a socially acceptable external experience. Many Autistic people feel rejected by society for being different and learn to mask their Autistic traits. This process can come at a personal cost of exhaustion and burnout. That said, many mid-and high-support-needs Autistic individuals have a reduced or total inability to mask, increasing visibility and vulnerability.
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Pattern Recognition
Many Autistic people have an elevated ability to recognize patterns and solve puzzles. Many enjoy sorting, collecting and categorizing stuff and information, and problem solving.
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Special Interests
Autistic people often have one or more special interest. These are preferred topics or activities that are characterized by intense passion and focus that bring them deep joy. While Autistic people can often possess an impressively detailed level of knowledge about these subjects, the core element is the intensity of the interest and the comfort it provides them.
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Routines
Many Autistic people find it helpful to do some things the same way every time because it is familiar and reduces uncertainty. This helps us have more energy overall to deal with the things that we cannot control.
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Sensory Challenges
Because of the way our brains are wired, we can experience certain physical sensations, sounds, smells, and feelings very intensely, sometimes to the point where they become overwhelming. Sometimes, the opposite might be true. For example, many Autistics also have ADHD which might contribute to undersentivity and sensory seeking (a need for increased input). Similarly, having alexithimya can contribute to a lower awareness of one's own emotions, or having low proprioception can cause someone to have a lower awareness of their body's position in space and lead to clumsiness.
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Stimming
Stimming is a self-regulatory behaviour involving repetitive physical movements, vocalizations, or interaction with sensory input. These behaviors are used to manage overwhelming input, can be calming, or can assist with focusing on a task.
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ADHD and Other Co-Occurring Conditions
A significant portion of Autistic people also have ADHD. There are also genetic links and frequent diagnoses for a long list of other co-occurring conditions in the Autistic community. This includes but is not limited to Epilepsy, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, sleep disorders, IBS and gastrointestinal issues, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Muscle disorders, etc.
