This Month, and Every Month: Understanding Autism
What Autistic People Might Want You to Remember
April is often called Autism Awareness Month, but we need more than awareness. We need acceptance—a shift from simply knowing autism exists to truly embracing and supporting autistic people as they are. Autism isn’t a puzzle to be “solved” or a condition to be “fixed” or erased; it’s a different way of experiencing the world, a unique lens that deserves understanding and respect.
Here’s what I want you to remember:
Autism is a spectrum. It doesn’t mean someone has “more” or “less” autism—it’s just expressed differently in each person.
Masking is exhausting. Many autistic people hide their traits to fit in, make others comfortable, and avoid judgment, often at great emotional and mental cost. Sometimes, even they or their families don’t realize they’re autistic because of expert masking.
Co-occurring conditions are common. Many autistic people also have anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, hypermobility, autoimmune diseases, and/or other chronic conditions they’re dealing with, adding layers of complexity to daily life.
Life expectancy disparities exist. Globally, autistic people face reduced life expectancy—averaging 39–58 years—due to health risks like epilepsy and suicide. However, with proper support, many live fulfilling lives closer to the general population's range of 72–77 years1, 2.
How Autism Presents Differently in Girls and Women
For decades, autism research and diagnostic tools have focused on boys and men, leaving many girls and women undiagnosed or misdiagnosed until adulthood—or not diagnosed at all3, 4. Here’s why:
Masking: Girls tend to mimic social behaviors through rehearsing conversations or forcing eye contact to blend in. This can hide their struggles but leads to burnout and mental health challenges like anxiety or depression5, 6.
“Socially Acceptable” Interests: Girls’ intense interests (e.g., animals or celebrities) often align with societal norms, making their autism less noticeable compared to boys with interests like trains or video games4, 7.
Internalized Symptoms: Instead of external behaviors like hyperactivity, girls may internalize their traits and appear shy or perfectionistic, making it harder for teachers or caregivers to identify their challenges3, 8.
Delayed Diagnosis: Girls are diagnosed 2–3 years later than boys, if at all. Many grow up feeling “different” without understanding why, leading to struggles with self-esteem and mental health in adulthood5, 6.
How Autistic People Experience the World
Autism shapes how people think, feel, move, communicate, and interact with others. These experiences can range from subtle differences to significant challenges—but they’re all valid expressions of autism.
We Think Differently
Autistic individuals often have intense interests that bring them joy and help them focus deeply (sometimes called “special interests”).
Problem-solving and noticing details are strengths for many autistic people, but tasks like planning or switching between activities can feel overwhelming.
Processing thoughts deeply might mean it takes longer to respond in conversations—but that doesn’t mean we’re not engaged1, 2.
Routines Matter
Predictability provides comfort; unexpected changes can cause distress or anxiety.
Even small disruptions—like a meeting running late—can lead to feelings of overwhelm that linger long after the event3, 4.
We Sense Differently
Bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, or certain textures might feel unbearable (sensory hypersensitivity). For example, grocery stores can be overwhelming because of fluorescent lights and background noise.
Some autistic people seek sensory input (sensory hyposensitivity), like enjoying tight hugs or spinning in chairs for comfort. Repetitive movements like rocking or tapping fingers (called stimming) help regulate emotions and sensory input6, 7.
We Move Differently
Coordination and motor skills can feel disconnected; fine motor tasks like handwriting might be challenging even for those who excel verbally.
Speech may require extra effort for some autistic people; others may not speak at all but communicate through typing or gestures instead8, 9.
We Communicate in Unique Ways
Some autistic people use echolalia (repeating phrases) as part of how they process language; others rely on assistive devices like letter boards or apps to express themselves.
Even those who speak fluently might struggle with conversational flow—like knowing when it’s their turn to talk—or interpreting sarcasm and idioms5, 6.
We Socialize Differently
Social norms often feel unnatural; eye contact might feel uncomfortable or even painful for some autistic people.
Reading facial expressions or guessing someone’s emotions can be tricky—but this doesn’t mean we don’t care deeply about others! We just need clear communication instead of relying on unspoken cues4, 7.
Daily Life Can Be Exhausting
Navigating a neurotypical world takes energy; sensory overload from busy environments (like malls or offices) can lead to shutdowns where we withdraw completely to recover.
Tasks like cooking dinner after work might feel insurmountable—not because we lack ability but because we’ve used up all our energy managing sensory input and social expectations throughout the day9, 10.
Sexual Assault Rates in Autistic People
The statistics surrounding sexual assault rates in autistic individuals are devastating:
A study found that 88.4% of autistic women reported experiencing sexual victimization during their lifetime11.
Autistic adults overall report sexual violence rates of 56.8%, significantly higher than non-autistic adults12.
Autistic children face sexual abuse rates as high as 16.6%, though this figure may be underreported due to communication barriers and societal stigma.
Autistic individuals are 2–3 times more likely to experience sexual victimization compared to non-autistic people11, 12.
These numbers highlight the urgent need for better education, support systems, and protections for autistic individuals—especially women and children who are disproportionately affected by these risks. It’s critical to understand that autism itself doesn’t cause victimization; rather, societal factors like ableism and lack of awareness create vulnerabilities that predators exploit.
What You Can Do
Be patient—what you see on the outside doesn’t always reflect what’s happening inside someone’s mind.
Educate yourself using resources created by autistic individuals, such as the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). Avoid harmful organizations like Autism Speaks that perpetuate stigma within the autism community.
Advocate for earlier diagnosis and better support systems—especially for girls and women who are often overlooked.
Celebrate neurodiversity! Autistic people bring incredible strengths to the world when given the space to thrive.
Autism isn’t one-size-fits-all—and that’s what makes it beautiful. Let’s work toward a world where autistic individuals feel seen, supported, and valued—not just this month but every single day.
Disclaimer:
I’m a psychology student, not a licensed professional. This content is based on my research, assisted by Perplexity AI. For personalized advice, consult a qualified expert. Please review cited sources for further verification.
Thanks for reading this post! Check out my other recent posts:
Beyond the Stigma: Unraveling the Myths of Mental Health
The Psychology of Mindfulness: A Path to Stress-Relief and Self-Awareness
Pen to Paper: Unleashing the Transformative Power of Journaling
How to Get Sh*t Done: 7 Practical Tips to Boost Productivity and Stay Motivated
Nice work.
Thank you for sharing ☺️