This clear introduction explains autism as a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, not an illness, affecting how people perceive, communicate, and interact. It highlights the "spectrum" nature, meaning diverse experiences, strengths, and challenges for each person. Discover core characteristics like social communication differences and repetitive behaviours, and the importance of neurodiversity. Read on for an informed, respectful understanding of autism.

This article explains that the autism spectrum is not a simple linear scale but a diverse tapestry of experiences, making every autistic person unique. It explores how traits like communication, sensory sensitivities, and interests manifest differently in everyone. By debunking unhelpful "high/low-functioning" labels and introducing the "spiky profile" concept, you'll gain a more nuanced and respectful understanding.

Learn how challenging a single day in an autistic person's life can be - it's a marathon of stress, anxiety, and exhaustion, and it takes a constant, conscious effort to navigate a world not designed for them. From managing overwhelming sensory input to decoding complex social rules and coping with unexpected changes, the internal struggle is relentless and often invisible to others. This case study provides a detailed, hour-by-hour account of one such day, from 6 am to 11 pm. You will learn about the specific challenges, the intricate coping mechanisms, and the profound mental, emotional, and physical cost of "masking" to appear normal.

This essential guide challenges common preconceptions about autism by debunking common, harmful myths. It replaces fiction with fact on topics like savant abilities, empathy, and the causes of autism. Understand that autism is a diverse spectrum condition, not a mental illness, and learn about the real challenges autistic people can face, fostering greater acceptance and respect.

This article guides you on how to recognise possible autistic traits and respond with kindness and respect. Learn about common differences in communication, sensory sensitivities, and the need for routine you might observe in everyday encounters. Discover practical tips, from communicating clearly to being patient, that can help you support autistic people and foster a more inclusive community.

This guide helps UK parents and carers navigate the child autism diagnosis pathway in the UK. It outlines early signs in communication, behaviour, and sensory areas, and explains how to seek a referral from a GP or SENCO. Learn about the multi-disciplinary assessment process and the emotional journey of receiving a diagnosis, which unlocks essential educational and therapeutic support.

This article guides UK adults considering an autism diagnosis, exploring the reasons for seeking one, such as lifelong feelings of difference. It outlines the NHS and private assessment pathways, detailing what an assessment involves, from interviews to questionnaires. Discover the profound impact of a diagnosis, including the relief of self-understanding and access to support and workplace adjustments.

Receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood is not about dwelling on the past or what might have been. It is an opportunity to build a future based on a more authentic and compassionate understanding of who you are. It gives you permission to stop trying to fit into a mould that was never designed for you and to start creating a life that accommodates your unique neurology. This new chapter is one of self-discovery, connection, and the empowerment that comes from finally understanding your own story.

This uplifting article challenges the idea that autism limits potential, focusing instead on how to thrive. Discover how to identify and harness your unique autistic strengths and passions, while developing effective strategies for managing challenges like sensory overload. Learn about building a supportive network, self-advocacy, and defining success on your own terms.

This article provides practical advice for autistic people to live more authentically, reduce their stress and anxiety, improve their mental health, and build more genuine connections with others. It explores how we often 'mask' our behaviours to fit in better, but how that has negative effect on our mental well-being, leading meltdowns, shutdowns and even burnouts. Here we offer practical steps for a safe, gradual unmasking journey, starting with just a few small changes, then building up from there.

This article will help you navigate life after an autism diagnosis. It acknowledges the complex emotions you may feel, from relief to confusion, and offers practical next steps. Learn how to find reliable information, connect with the autistic community for support, and begin exploring your unique profile of strengths and challenges to access support at home, school, or work.

This article explains what 'masking' is: the often-exhausting effort by autistic people to hide their natural traits to fit in with the world around them. Discover why people mask, from avoiding bullying to gaining social acceptance, and the common strategies used. Learn about the significant cost of this performance, including burnout and anxiety, and why your acceptance and understanding is the key to their well-being.

This article explores the intense and passionate "special interests" of autistic people, framing them as more than just hobbies. Discover how these deep interests are a source of joy, expertise, and a vital tool for reducing stress. Learn about their diverse nature, their benefits for skill development and careers, and how to support them respectfully.

This article explains what's known as 'intersectionality' , which is how autism interacts with your other lifelong identities (like gender and culture) to make for your own unique experience of life. It explores how all these layers can lead to greater challenges but also some unique strengths, which will help you understand the power of your own multifaceted identity. Those who care for and support autistic people will also benefit from a better understanding of truly inclusive and person-centred support.

This article demystifies "stimming" in autistic people, explaining it as a natural and necessary behaviour. Discover why repetitive actions like hand-flapping or rocking are used to self-regulate, manage sensory input, cope with stress, and express emotions. Learn about the different forms of stimming and why societal acceptance, rather than suppression, is key to supporting autistic well-being.

This article explains why routine is a vital coping mechanism for many autistic people. Discover how predictability can reduce anxiety and cognitive load, creating a sense of safety and control. It also explores why unexpected changes can be so distressing and offers practical strategies, such as using visual schedules and giving advance warning, to support this essential need.

This detailed article explains how autistic people can experience the world differently through their senses. It details both hyper- (over) and hypo- (under) sensitivity and how this can lead to overwhelm. Discover practical strategies for autistic people, like using sensory tools, alongside advice for supporters and carers on how to create more comfortable and accommodating environments for everyone.

This article explains autistic burnout as a state of profound exhaustion caused by the cumulative stress of navigating a neurotypical world, masking, and sensory overload. Learn to recognise the symptoms, such as loss of skills and extreme fatigue. Discover essential strategies for recovery, including radical rest and reducing demands, alongside preventative measures like self-advocacy.

This article explains autistic meltdowns and shutdowns as involuntary responses to being overwhelmed, not tantrums. It describes what externalised meltdowns and internalised shutdowns look like, and their common triggers, like sensory overload. Learn compassionate and practical strategies to support a person before, during, and after an episode, promoting empathy over judgment.

When you choose to "unmask" your autistic traits, you'll probably stop suppressing stimming and repetitive movements. But this can greatly increase your daily energy usage, and you could end up losing weight unexpectedly. This is because of a thing called 'NEAT', which we explain in this article. After learning what NEAT is and how it affects you, we'll explain how you can stay healthy and improve your diet while you're unmasking, and how to get enough energy to cope with all your new activity with foods like proteins, fibre, and complex carbohydrates. Unmasking is about being the real you, but also being a more healthy you!