Autism is a neurotype that affects how someone experiences the world around them. It's something a person is born with, and very much a part of who they are even though some people believe it’s a disability. The reality is that a big portion of what makes it a disability is how people perceive and treat the person. An autistic person may think, sense, feel, process, cope, socialize, and communicate in a different way than you might - and it can vary in different environments. Every autistic person has a different way of navigating everyday life, just like everyone else – and each experience and response is unique to that person.

 

Autism shapes, not only how someone experiences the world around them, but also how they: 

 

Think – Autistic people have strong interests that others might not. All autistic individuals have different skill sets: some have great attention to details, some are problem solvers, some love planets, some have skills that are different than their same-aged peers that sets them apart; some their skill set is noticing beautiful things (value of creativity and beauty). Autistic people can also struggle with how to start or finish a task, move from one task to another or from one activity/room to another for a variety of reasons. 

 

Sense – Some autistic people might want/need different sensory input or output to navigate life or different situations and environments. This could look like loving to climb up high, jump off of things, spin in circles, burrow under a pile of blankets or pillows, like having the lights off or dimmed – because sometimes lights are too bright or they make a noise that others might not hear. Some like to listen to music to help cut out other unpleasant noises that others might not hear or be aware of, some love different smells while others are sensitive to them. Because of a variety of factors sometimes it’s hard for an autistic person to recognize feelings of hunger, thirst, exhaustion, or increased/decreased body temperature. And when those senses aren’t satisfied or there’s too much going on in an environment, feelings of being overwhelmed take root which can interfere with a person’s ability to control their body and emotions.

 

Feel – Emotions are hard to label for some autistic individuals at times; recognizing your own emotions as well as the emotions of others isn’t always easy in the best of times. And since everyone has a different way of showing, expressing, and coping with different emotions, this can be confusing for a person who is already struggling with other things that are going on. Add in difficulties of not knowing how to express their emotions and this is why you will sometimes see emotions expressed in ways that are not commonly expressed by others. For example, people cry when they’re sad, or happy, or mad – which makes it hard to tell the difference without someone being clear about how they’re feeling.

they’re sad, or happy, or mad – which makes it hard to tell the difference without someone being clear about how they’re feeling.

 

Process – Autistic people might process things differently. Visual cues might be helpful in remembering how to do something or interact with others. For some, breaking tasks or activities down into smaller steps helps keep them from getting overwhelmed and keeps them moving.

 

Cope – They might have a different way of coping with intense emotions, and sometimes it might be hard to even control their body when they can’t cope or other’s don’t know what they need or want. Some ways that can help someone cope look different from others – They might do the same movement over and over again like flap their hands, jump up and down, repeat a phrase they heard from a movie/TV show/someone else in their life. They might rock back and forth, They might need to pace, They might clap my hands, hum, or get really loud, or they might not be able to speak at all. But these are all things that help an autistic person navigate their everyday life. 

 

Socialize – Some social rules aren’t easy to follow – there are different ones everywhere you go. Autistic people might be blunter, they might only answer with a yes or no or in short statements, They might not make eye contact because that can physically painful or cause feelings of anxiety and overwhelm; but that doesn’t mean they’re not listening to or hearing you. 

 

Communicate – The way autistic people communicate depends on what works best for them. They might repeat what you say, they might need an Augmentative Communication device like an iPad or something else that helps them tell others what they want and need. Or they might communicate by pointing or pulling you towards something. The way they act can also be how they communicate with others. They may cry, yell, run away, or throw themselves down on the ground – but it’s still a way of communicating to those around them. And sometimes, they might not be able to communicate at all – but what they feel and have to say is still important and that doesn’t mean they don’t understand you or what you’re saying.

 

All of these things, and more, might look different than what you know or have experienced. This world has rules and norms that not everyone benefits from, one that wasn’t created with the differences of others in mind. But you can help change that! You can help advocate for this community and accept who they are by remembering that everyone might be dealing with something that you can’t see or understand. You can provide a world of acceptance by telling those around you about how others see and experience things differently, but the any way that they do is okay. Every person’s journey through this life is different, and every person’s experience is valid and important. Let’s make this world a place that has room for everyone in it; one that doesn’t judge people based on a passing moment or what society says is the right way to behave, learn, communicate, or socialize. Let’s change the world for the better, together.