Autism is a developmental condition that affects how you interact with others and experience the world. Autistic people may behave differently to how non-autistic (sometimes called neurotypical) people behave or expect them to behave.
Autism is not a learning disability or a mental health condition, nor is it “curable”. It means your brain has a different way of thinking, feeling, behaving and coping with the world.
More than 1 in 100 people are on the autism spectrum in the UK.
When you meet one person with Autism, you've met one person with Autism
If you’re autistic, you might:
● Find it difficult to understand other people’s thoughts and feelings, and have trouble expressing your own
● Struggle to understand some parts of non-autistic people’s language, such as tone of voice or sarcasm
● Find it comforting to repeat certain movements – this is known as ‘Stimming’
● Prefer to have strict routines, such as always following the same route to school, and find changes to these routines difficult to cope with
● Have sensory differences, such as finding loud noises overwhelming
● Have intense interests and passions – sometimes known as ‘special interests’
● Find it really easy to learn some skills but struggle to learn other skills that may seem easy to non-autistic people
● Have ‘meltdowns’ or ‘shutdowns’ when you’re feeling overwhelmed – often mistaken by non-autistic people as ‘temper tantrums’
Its been a slippery slope of emotions that's sometimes is difficult to understand.
If they diagnosed me younger I might of come to terms with it better.
It helped me define who I am and it got me out off trouble a lot.
Young Person, who completed an autism assessment
Autism in Women
Autism in women is often underdiagnosed and misunderstood due to differences in how autistic traits commonly present compared to men. While diagnostic criteria were historically based on male-centred studies, many autistic women exhibit traits that are less stereotypical—such as stronger social mimicry, better verbal communication, and subtler repetitive behaviours. This can lead to a phenomenon called “camouflaging” or “masking,” where women consciously or unconsciously hide their autistic characteristics in order to fit in socially. While masking may help with social acceptance, it often comes at a cost, contributing to anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Autistic women may also face challenges in areas like sensory processing, executive function, and maintaining relationships, but these struggles can be internalised or misattributed to other conditions like borderline personality disorder or anxiety. Many women are not diagnosed until adulthood, often after years of feeling different or misunderstood.
Recognising and validating these experiences is essential. Increasing awareness and adapting diagnostic tools to reflect the diverse presentations of autism can help ensure more women receive timely support and understanding.
Assessing For Autism
An autism assessment isn’t like a test or exam, it’s a meeting with a specialist to figure out how you think and experience the world. They’ll look at how you interact and communicate in social settings, as well as talk to you about your interests and behaviours in different places. For more detailed information on what happens in an autism assessment, check out our assessment procedure for adults page.
How Can A Diagnosis Help?
Receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult can be a transformative experience. For many, it provides clarity and validation after years—sometimes decades—of feeling different, misunderstood, or struggling without explanation. A diagnosis can help adults make sense of past experiences, such as difficulties in social situations, sensory overwhelm, or challenges with routines and change.
Practically, a formal diagnosis can open doors to support and accommodations, both in the workplace and in everyday life. Under the Equality Act 2010, autistic individuals are entitled to reasonable adjustments, which can improve access to employment, healthcare, and education. It also enables access to specialist services, including support groups, therapy, and sometimes financial support such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Perhaps most importantly, a diagnosis can be the first step in self-acceptance. It allows individuals to advocate for themselves more effectively and to connect with the autistic community, reducing feelings of isolation. For many adults, it marks the beginning of understanding themselves more fully and living more authentically.
