Being Autistic

Autism is a fundamental part of who an autistic person is. Autism influences everything from how we express ourselves and interact with others, to how we process information and make sense of the world.

There are other terms used to describe autism, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), and it may be referred to as a “mental illness”.

Many autistic people do not accept those terms, preferring to stress that we have a different way of being in, perceiving and engaging with the world and those with whom we share it. At the same time, some autistic people face significant challenges in their daily living and need high levels of support specifically tailored to their needs.

The autism spectrum is not a linear line that runs from high- to low-functioning. Instead, autistic people have what is sometimes referred to as a ‘spiky profile.’ Autistic people have varying traits, which can creates peaks and troughs in their skill profile.

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Understanding The Spectrum – A Comic Strip Explanation

Artist, Rebecca Burgess, created this insightful comic strip to help people understand the autism spectrum. Click here to download a printable PDF version.

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