Understanding Autism
4 Things to know when understanding Autism
As society continues to grow in its understanding of Autism, there is still much to learn—especially when it comes to appreciating the experiences of Autistic individuals. Autism can influence how a person responds to various situations, often in ways that differ from neurotypical responses. For example, Autistic people experience challenges with emotional regulation, so they may have a stronger reaction to stressful situations that a neurotypical individual may be able to handle.
This list of four points can help deepen your understanding of how Autistic people function and express themselves. Whether you’re on the Autism spectrum or supporting someone who is, these insights are a step toward greater awareness and acceptance.
1. What Helps Autistic People Function?
Every Autistic person is different, and so are the ways they manage their daily lives. A common strategy many use is stimming—a form of self-regulation involving repetitive actions like hand-flapping, finger-flicking, or rocking. These behaviours can help manage sensory input or emotions.
Other individuals might rely on tools like noise-cancelling headphones to reduce sensory overload. It's important to explore and identify what helps each individual feel calm and regulated. Everyone deserves to find what works best for them.
2. Masking
Masking is when someone alters their behaviour to conform to social expectations or avoid judgment. For Autistic individuals, this can lead to stress, burnout, and emotional dysregulation.
Masking may be done consciously or subconsciously and often stems from the desire to fit in or avoid negative attention. It’s crucial to recognise that your feelings and experiences are valid and it is ok to be authentically you. In safe, supportive environments, allowing yourself to unmask can be empowering and healing.
3. Communication Differences
A way a person communicates is often one of the first things people notice in individual with Autism. Some Autistic people communicate more through body language alone, while others may be very direct verbally when conveying their point of view. Some Autistic people may be monotone in their way of communicating, whilst others may communicate freely however are unable to maintain consistent eye contact. This can sometimes be interpreted as blunt, or event rude. This often shows the difference in communication styles between neurodiverse individuals and neurotypical individuals. The importance here is emphasising the difference in communication styles with different neurotypes, rather than one being right and the other being wrong.
If you are Autistic, explaining your communication style to others can help bridge that gap and reduce misunderstandings.
4. Language Matters
Language is personal—and this includes how someone prefers to talk about Autism. Some people prefer identity-first language ("Autistic person"), while others use person-first language ("person with Autism"). There is no one-size-fits-all answer. It is simply personal preference.
What matters most is respecting how someone chooses to identify, and ensure you are engaging with them in a neuroaffirming way. It is important for Autistic individuals to feel empowered to explore the language that feels most authentic for them.
If you have more questions about Autism or if you've recently been diagnosed and want to understand more, we are here to help. Contact our friendly reception team on 0477 798 932 to book an appointment.
James Grgetic is a self-disclosed neurospicy Provisional Psychologist at Progressive Psychology.