What does it mean to be Autistic?
By Jennifer KempUnderstand the information processing differences that define Autism
Autistic people have genetic, neurobiological differences in information processing, leading to differences in how they perceive and respond to the world. Within this, each Autistic person has a unique “spiky profile” of strengths and difficulties, and needs that will change depending on their environment.
The key Autistic differences in information processing are:
Intense orientation towards interests: Autistic people tend to have a narrower and deeper range of interests. This pattern of attention is known as monotropism. Autistic deep interests are often called spins, which is short for “special interests.” Engaging in these beloved activities can trigger intense joy and deep focus. By contrast, an Autistic person will feel a strong desire to end a conversation or escape a task if it is uninteresting.
Sensory hyper- and hypo-sensitivities: Autistic people have sensory experiences that tend to be at the extremes, being either highly sensitive or relatively unaware of sensory experiences. An Autistic person can feel intense discomfort and complete overwhelm from bright lights, loud noises, certain textures, or smells. Conversely, they may seek increased sensory stimulation such as intense flavours, movement, or loud music, and find this added stimulation soothing.
Literal use of language: Autistic people tend to prioritise the literal meaning of words (semantics), focusing on using language precisely and communicating clearly. This can be helpful in situations where directness is essential, but it can also be experienced as blunt by others. Autistic people may struggle to understand indirect language, sarcasm and some forms of humour. Non-Autistic people tend to prioritise language pragmatics, including body language, tone, and implied meanings. Communication breakdowns tend to occur between people with different neurotypes. This is known as the ‘double empathy problem.’
Social expectations based on consistency, fairness, and honesty: Autistic people tend to have social expectations based on consistency, fairness, and honesty. This is often expressed as a strong sense of justice, dislike of dishonesty, and a preference for following the rules, but only if they are logical and fair. These preferences can also cause stress when expectations are unclear or change frequently.
Emotion awareness and regulation difficulties: Many Autistic people find it difficult to understand and regulate their emotions. Having difficulty identifying and understanding emotions is known as alexithymia. Difficulties managing and soothing emotions are part of executive functioning and can contribute to problems adapting to unexpected changes.
Overloaded and under-resourced executive functioning: The executive functions are like the management and organisational functions of the brain, including planning, organising, prioritising, staying focused, managing impulses, and keeping track of time. Autistic people often have executive functioning that can readily become overloaded, contributing to Autistic burnout, stress, and meltdowns. This is an area of difficulty that is shared with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Self-regulation through the senses and interests: Autistic people tend to regulate their attention, emotions, energy levels, and impulses through their senses and interests. Autistic people find engaging with soothing sensory experiences or actively engaging in spins can be calming, focusing, and a source of comfort.
To understand an Autistic person’s support needs, consider their differences across these domains and whether they offer them advantages or difficulties in different environments. How well these differences are accommodated will determine the level of disability the person experiences in their life. For example, sensory sensitivities might be automatically accommodated by the person’s family, who try to avoid distressing, sudden, and loud noises; however, at school, the kinds of noises and volume are likely to be much more stressful.
It’s also essential to consider the impact of other co-occurring difficulties, such as intellectual disability, speech delays, ADHD and physical health problems. Common mental health problems among Autistic people include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and anxiety.
Many Autistic people will hide their difficulties and differences from others, often without realising they are doing it. This is called masking and camouflaging and is a pattern that makes social situations exhausting and anxiety-provoking. To understand an Autistic person’s experience, take time to explore these situations with them. Listening to their experiences in life will be the best indicator of whether they are Autistic.
For further information:
Kemp, J., & Mitchelson, M. (2024). The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD: Cultivate Self-Compassion, Live Authentically, and Be Your Own Advocate. New Harbinger Publications.
About Jennifer Kemp
BSc(Psych)Hons, MPsych(Clinical), GradDipApplSc(Psychology of Coaching), MAPS, FCCLP
Adjunct Lecturer, School of Psychology, University of Adelaide
Jennifer is a privately practising clinical psychologist in Adelaide, Australia. Her neurodiversity-affirming approach is founded on her own experience of being late-diagnosed with Autism and ADHD and the latest research. Jennifer listens deeply to the experiences of her neurodivergent clients, acknowledging the unique perspectives and strengths of people with different neurotypes.
In her therapeutic practice and when training other therapists, Jennifer uses acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with compassion-focused approaches to help her clients improve their mental health and develop greater self-acceptance, self-compassion, and pride in their neurodivergent identity.
Jennifer is the co-author of “The Neurodivergent Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD: Cultivate Self-Compassion, Live Authentically, and Be Your Own Advocate” and author of “The ACT Workbook for Perfectionism: Build Your Best (Imperfect) Life Using Powerful Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and Self-Compassion Skills.”
