Frequently Asked (Autism) Questions
"If I had a pound for every time I'd been asked that question..."
There are certain questions I and other Autistic people find ourselves answering day-in and day-out. Whether I'm on social media, or a guest on a podcast or delivering autism training, we're often the same questions.
And whilst I do my very best to answer the question as best I can, due to time restraints and repeatedly saying the same things, I often find that there was more I wanted to say and more I wanted to explain.
So I have created this page which lists the questions I am asked the most often.
Each question has a brief overview and then a link to a more detailed article along with any other relevant content. Nearly everything I link to on the page is my own work and is also free-to-access.
I hope you find it useful and please do keep coming back as I will update this page as often as I can (and it's a good page to bookmark and revisit as you need to).
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All of my online articles on my website are free to read and you don't need to sign up to my mailing in order to access them. If you do join my mailing list you'll be emailed a 10% discount code which you can use on my online, on-demand autism training (and can use multiple times!). There's a sign up form at the bottom of this page.
Kieran, The Autistic Advocate
Autism FAQs
(In no order of importance)
What Is Autism?
Autism is the name of a type of Human Neurology, which includes the Brain and the Nervous System.
Neurology is the process of the human body taking in sensory information, moving it around the body, processing it and then reacting to it.
Autistic people actively process more sensory information than non-Autistic people and that can create big differences in processing speeds, communication styles and how we interpret and interact with the world. There is no negativity or positivity in this, just difference.
Most descriptions of Autism won't tell you this, they're too busy telling you their perception of the negative impacts of Autistic Neurology.
READ A MORE IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION IN MY ARTICLE: What is Autism?
What Is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger’s Syndrome is a Diagnosis with a really complicated and confusing back story and a lot of myth and misunderstanding wrapped up with it. There is also a lot of controversy attached to it for many reasons. It was the diagnosis I received aged 23, although I now choose not to associate with it. I'm Autistic.
Asperger's Syndrome is NOT a subtype of Autism, it IS Autism. There are historical political and clinical reasons for there being two diagnostic labels. The article linked below, as briefly as possible, gives full context to this label, which by 2022 will no longer exist as a new diagnosis.
Please read it in full and try not to get caught up on the smaller, more controversial aspects.
READ MY FULL ARTICLE HERE: Asperger's Syndrome: What's in a Name?
What Is Neurodiversity?
The Neurodiversity paradigm is simply a way of understanding that there are many different people in the world with minds that work a little differently to help make them individuals.
Sub-groups of humanity exist whose Neurological function from conception is markedly different from the rest of Humanity, these are called Neurodivergencies (singular: Neurodivergent) and include people who are Autistic, ADHD, BiPolar, Tourette's and so on.
It is also possible to have acquired Neurodivergence. So for example someone who may have been brain damaged in some way, or developed a Disease like Dementia.
READ MY ARTICLE FOR A MORE DETAILED DISCUSSION: What is Neurodiversity?
What are Learning Disabilities?
Learning Disability, or LD (known as Intellectual Disability in some cases) is an umbrella term for a number of disabilities which impact on someone's ability to learn and interact with the world very much based on their IQ and the world's perception of what is the 'right way' to learn and exist.
Identifiable Learning Disabilities are co-occurring conditions given to between 15-40% of Autistic people (dependant on the research).
Those Autistic people are usually the ones slapped with a problematic 'Low Functioning Autism' label, or worse 'Severe' Autism. (See my FAQ on Functioning Labels)
READ MY FULL ARTICLE HERE: What are Learning Disabilities?
What are Co-Occurring Conditions?
Co-occurring conditions are simply any stand-alone conditions that you have. When you are Autistic it is likely that you have any of a large number of co-occurring conditions which occur regularly amongst Autistic people.
Although 'officially' research states that most Autistic people have one co-occurring condition, anecdotally it's a greater number.
Through my work I have identified over 60 different co-occurring conditions, some present from birth and some acquired, these range from the obvious like ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, to lesser well known ones such as Hyperlexia, Alexithymia and C-PTSD.
I have a whole topic on Co-occuring Conditions in my training The Inside of Autism
What is Autistic Masking?
Masking is a psychological safety mechanism made up of layers of physical and social complex actions which an Autistic person uses consciously and unconsciously to ‘fit in’ and self-protect in an endless variety of differing situations and environments.
This happens by applying, in fluctuating degrees, often uncontextualised and sometimes rehearsed, learnt behaviours to appropriate situations; whilst simultaneously suppressing both natural behaviours and self-identity.
All this happens partly consciously with, over time, the person dissociating from the act; and partly subconsciously: pre-emptive, reactive and unplanned; And all at great mental and physical cost.
It's common amongst Autistic children and Adults and often is cited as one of the reasons that Autistic children are unidentified and not properly supported within schools. The phrase "They're fine in school." is often used by teachers in reference to pupils who Mask.
Autistic Masking is now being recognised as a factor in the high suicide rate amongst Autistic people and is an identifiable factor in Autistic Burnout.
I HAVE A WEALTH OF FREE TO ACCESS RESOURCES ON THIS PAGE DEDICATED TO AUTISTIC MASKING AND AUTISTIC BURNOUT: Autistic Masking
I cover Autistic Masking in my training; The Inside of Autism
I have published a best selling book with Dr Amy Pearson on Autistic Masking: AUTISTIC MASKING - Understanding Identity Management and the Role of Stigma
What is Autistic Burnout?
One of the knock on effects of being Autistic in a world not designed for Autistic people, is how exhausting it is.
Constantly combatting sensory overload, communicating in ways not conducive for you, Autistic Masking, all takes up huge amounts of energy. That adds up over time and leads to what is known as Autistic Burnout.
It's similar in physical expression to Clinical Depression and is starting to be identified with Autistic 'regression'.
I HAVE A WEALTH OF FREE TO ACCESS RESOURCES ON THIS PAGE DEDICATED TO AUTISTIC MASKING AND AUTISTIC BURNOUT: Autistic Masking and Autistic Burnout
This is one of my most read articles; An Autistic Burnout. There is also an ebook version of the article: An Autistic Burnout - ebook
Why are senses so important to Autistic people?
Sensory information in integral to all humans ability to live. Without sensory any sensory information we would die.
All that sensory information is taken into the human body through the senses via the central Nervous system. Although there are many sub senses there are 8 main ones which include: sight (Visual), taste (Gustatory), touch (Tactile), smell (Olfactory), hearing (Aural), balance (vestibular), internal messages (interoception) and body awareness (proprioception).
The Nervous system is intrinsically part of the neurological system, so differences in sensory interpretation are very much at the heart of what makes Autistic people different from non-Autistic people.
Autistic people take in more sensory information and often at different rates to non-Autistic people.
Humans help themselves to regulate this information through self-stimulatory behaviour, these are repetitive movements or repetitive (verbal or mental) vocalisations. Autistic people call this Stimming and because we take in and process so much more information, our Stimming can be more noticeable and take the form of things like handflapping, jigging, making noises, singing and dancing and much more
PLEASE READ MY ARTICLE FOR A MORE DETAILED DISCUSSION: An Autistic Frequency
I also talk about the senses in my training; The Inside of Autism
What are Meltdowns and Shutdowns?
Meltdowns and Shutdowns are overwhelm and trauma responses to a combination of too much sensory information and dysregulated emotions (including frustration, anger, sadness, happiness and excitement)
A meltdown is an externalised physical response, a Shutdown is an internalised physical response.
Neither of these things is a tantrum or 'challenging' behaviour, as neither is a choice. Nor do either have an intended outcome. Though tantrums can lead to Meltdowns.
I talk about Meltdowns and Shutdowns in my training; The Inside of Autism and also in this on-demand training; Meltdowns, Shutdowns & Autistic Burnout in Autistic Children & Young People in Education Settings
Education Issues
Many parents struggle with their Autistic children's education and the Education system generally.
There many reasons for this, ranging from poor quality Autism education and the way the education is set up.
PLEASE READ MY ARTICLES FOR A MORE DETAILED DISCUSSION:
The terms 'School Refusal', 'EBSA' (Emotionally Based School Avoidance), and 'EBSNA' (Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance) all rely on a foundational fiction: that school is a safe and appropriate place for all children. I cover this in much more detail in my article: School Refusal or School-Induced Trauma? Rethinking EBSA, EBSNA, and the harm we call help
I have a critique of the UK's 'SEND' (Special Educational Nedds and Disabilities) system here; There's No Such Thing as SEND.
I have also written chapters in a number of books designed for educators. You'll find them listed in the 'Kieran Featured section' of my Recommended Autism Books Catalogue.
What is the best way to support myself as an Autistic Adult?
Finding other Autistic people is imperative to finding yourself. There are supportive Autistic communities on social media from whom you can learn about Autism from an inside perspective.
Often you'll find that the Autistic understanding of Autism is VASTLY different to the Professional understanding. There are many reasons for this which are described in the articles linked below.
Please be aware that understanding of Autism outside of the Autistic community is limited and that good services are few and far between.
MY ARTICLES ARE FREE-TO-READ AND A GOOD PLACE TO START;
An Autistic invalidation
An Autistic Identity
If you sign up to my website (there is a sign-up form at the bottom of this page) you'll be emailed a list of my top blogs which you can keep and refer back. You'll also receive a 10% discount off my online autism training (which you can use multiple times).
My Autism Podcasts page is full of free-to-access episodes from amazing autistic podcasters worldwide
AUTISM TRAINING
I have a range of online, on-demand autism training and ebooks which are priced very reasonably (and I can also offer full and partial discounts to people who are in financial difficulty). You'll find all of my training listed here: Online Autism Training.
My on-demand training, The Inside of Autism, has been taken by autistic people (and people who love and support them) worldwide and can also be a good place to access knowledge from an autistic perspective.
I also have a short, on-demand, training; Curating a Healthy Lifestyle as a Late-Identified Autistic Adult
BOOKS ABOUT AUTISM;
If you like to read then I have a number of curated lists for books about Autism which are free to access.
Autism Positive Books - my big list of book recommendations
Top 10 Non-Academic Books About Autism
Top 10 Academic Books About Autism
Autism Affirming Books I've featured in - this lists books where I've contributed chapters, case studies etc
Diagnosis - as an adult or child
There are many and various barriers to diagnosis for both adults and children, but if you are willing to seek one, the first place to start is your General Practitioner. I would always advise gathering as much evidence as possible around the diagnostic criteria.
For children the process generally involves a multi team assessment involving a Practitioner, Speech and Language Therapist (Pathologist), a Psychologist and partaking of ADOS (an assessment tool).
For adults it usually involves just a Psychologist and ADOS.
For both it's important to evidence not only the now, but historically, as the criteria and process rely on showing that 'defecits' (as they are described) have existed from birth and aren't the result of specific trauma.
The diagnostic criteria is very pathological and views Autistic people through a behavioural lens whereby it actively seeks anxiety behaviours. It can be difficult viewing yourself like this and this is one of the criteria's greatest flaws.
It is important to note that self-identification is also valid an often part of a late-diagnosed Autistic person's experience.
MY ARTICLES ARE FREE-TO-READ;
What Happens after a Diagnosis of Autism? (child or adult)
For self-identification;
I Look back At My Parents and Wonder How They Missed Me
Many people have also found my training, The Inside of Autism, a useful tool either pre or post diagnosis (and often both!). Parents of newly diagnosed Autistic children have also found NeuroBears really useful (and NeuroBears is based on The Inside of Autism).
What's the issue with Jigsaw pieces?
The Jigsaw piece has a controversial and difficult history when it comes to Autistic people.
It was first used in connection with Autism in the 1960's by the UK's National Autistic Society, a parent organisation, to represent what was missing from their children. The multi-coloured jigsaw pieces (and ribbon) were then adopted by other Autism organisations. The colours are very bright and represent children.
Autism Speaks, a huge controversial American charity who were formed to prove that vaccines cause Autism and have continued to promote cure-based narratives, used a blue jigsaw piece for their logo and now that colour has also become synonymous with Autism.
For many Autistic people the jigsaw piece is a symbol of EVERYTHING that is wrong with the Autism narrative and why such inequality exists.
MY FREE-TO-READ ARTICLES HAVE MORE INFORMATION:
The Issues with Light It Up Blue and Jigsaw Pieces
The influence of Autism Speaks on the UK and the world
An Autistic Identity
Why is there a divide?
What are Functioning Labels and why is language important?
The language used around Autism and Autistic people is really important.
Things like functioning labels which can create expectations and assumptions around competence and set people up to fail and of course the argument around whether it is best to say Autistic or a person 'has' Autism.
The Autistic community advocates generally for the removal of Functioning Labels and for the use of Identity First Language. (EG. I'm Kieran, I'm Autistic)
MY ARTICLES ARE FREE-TO-READ AND COVER FUNCTIONING LABELS IN MUCH MORE DETAIL;
Functioning Labels; Why you shouldn't be using them
Regarding the use of dehumanising rhetoric
An Autistic Identity
Asperger's Syndrome: What's in a name
I don't have Autism
I also look at the history or autism, the stigma surrounding autistic people and much, much more in my training; The Inside of Autism
Thanks for all of the advice Kieran! How can I learn more from you?
Thanks so much for visiting my Autism FAQ's page; I hope you've found it useful.
If you'd like to learn more from me there are a few ways to do that.
I've linked to quite a few of my articles throughout the FAQ answers; but these are only a small selection of everything I've written since 2017! Exploring my autism blog is a great place to read more of my thoughts.
I deliver autism training online and in person
I speak at conferences and events
I enjoy being interviewed for podcasts about autism
I have published a book about Autistic Masking and have contributied to many other autism-affirming books
I have a range of online, on-demand autism training and I aim to keep my training affordable (and can offer full and partial bursaries to people in financial need).
I can offer consultancy and have limited space for professional supervison.
Not in need of training, but still found my website useful?
I know not everyone wants, or needs to buy one of my training courses, but I often find people will read my FAQs page and then head to one of my free articles and want to say ‘thank you’ (and this is really appreciated as they’re a lot of work to write!)
Buying me a virtual coffee is a really easy way to say thanks.
It also supports me to keep being able to create new, free content and also keep my older, free content up-to-date. It also allows me to keep my website ad-free.
I hope you've found my Autism FAQs page useful; it's a good place to start if you’re new to my work and want to explore more. Thanks for your support, Kieran.
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Kieran Rose - The Autistic Advocate; advocating for the Autistic community since 2017
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