I want to talk about another disorder: autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder—ASD. Autism is often described as a disability, and many people with ASD are classified as living with a disability because of it. At the same time, I also see it as a mental health condition or disorder because it involves the brain. It is connected to how the brain develops. In autism, there is a delay or difference in brain development, and that difference affects how a person communicates, interacts, and experiences the world.
This is also why it is called a “spectrum.” Autism is not just one single condition in one single form. It shows itself in different ways, and people can be affected differently. Two people can both have autism, yet their challenges and strengths can look very different. When I think about autism, there are key things I look for—basic signs that may help someone recognize it.
One of the clearest signs is difficulty with social interaction. Some people struggle to relate with others in the usual ways. They may not easily join conversations, they may not know how to respond socially, or they may prefer their own space. This does not mean they are “rude” or “cold.” It means social connection may not come naturally, and they may find it stressful or confusing.
Another sign is delay in communication, especially language development. Some children do not develop speech the same way as others. Language may come late. Communication may be limited. Or it may develop, but in a delayed way compared to other children. This delay can be one of the first things that makes families begin to suspect something is going on.
Another thing that appears is repetitive behaviors. A person may repeat actions, routines, or patterns. And when stress increases, you may notice emotional outbursts. I have come to see that stress can bring out the strongest reactions. When someone with autism becomes overwhelmed, they may express it emotionally in ways that look intense to others.
When I talk about autism starting early, I mean it can appear from birth and continue as the person grows. Many times, it is noticed in early childhood, especially when the expected milestones—like language, social connection, and communication—seem delayed.
When it comes to causes, I understand autism can be linked to genetics, meaning it can run in families. It can be inherited. So, if one person has autism, you may find others in the same family line who are affected in some way too. I have also learned that environmental factors can play a part, especially around pregnancy and birth. For example, challenges at birth—like a baby being born underweight or being born prematurely—can be part of the story. Also, when a mother experiences high stress or infections during pregnancy, that can play a role. I have also heard about maternal medications being among factors people discuss. The point I am making is that autism can come from a combination of influences—family genetics and life circumstances around early development.
Many people with autism rely heavily on routine. They need things to be predictable. If something is moved, changed, or removed, it can feel like the whole day has been disturbed. A simple example is where something is kept in the home—if they expect the juice to be in one specific place and it is not there, it can disrupt their sense of order and comfort. Routine helps them feel stable. This need for routine can also show up in work settings. If they work, they may do best in environments where the tasks are predictable and structured, where there is a clear pattern to follow. Routine becomes a kind of safety.
Another sign is difficulty making eye contact. Some children and adults may not maintain eye contact for long. It may not be comfortable. It may feel overwhelming. People often misunderstand this, but it can be a common feature in autism. Sensory differences are also important. Some people are very sensitive to sound, light, or touch. Others may seem under-sensitive. You may even see behaviors like tiptoeing, because certain sensations—like the ground beneath the feet—feel too intense or uncomfortable. Sensory experience can shape behavior in a powerful way.
There is also difficulty interpreting facial expressions and body language. Some people cannot easily read what others are communicating through gestures, expressions, or tone. This makes social interaction harder because so much human communication is non-verbal. When someone cannot interpret those signals easily, they may feel confused, left out, or misunderstood. Because of all these struggles, some people with autism prefer being alone. They may withdraw, not because they hate people, but because interaction can be tiring or stressful. They may choose isolation as a way to protect themselves from overwhelm.
I also want to mention self-harm behaviors. Some people with autism may hurt themselves—hitting themselves or doing things that cause harm—especially when they are overwhelmed, overstimulated, or unable to communicate what they need. And when I talk about safety, I keep the same point I have made before: you should always stay alert in all situations. But many times the biggest risk is not that they want to hurt others—it is that they may hurt themselves or become vulnerable to being harmed by others when they are not understood or protected. Sleep problems can also appear. Some people sleep too much, and others struggle to sleep at all. Sleep becomes another area where the brain’s challenges show up in daily life.
When it comes to treatment, I have learned that autism care is not “one-size-fits-all.” Because autism is a spectrum and because people are affected differently, medication and support are usually tailored to the person. You can have a group of people with autism, but they may be taking different medications depending on their specific needs and how strongly symptoms affect them. That is because each person’s situation is different, and treatment is designed to fit the person, not just the label.
Alongside medication, therapy is also used. And another important part is reducing stress. I have said that when stress rises, emotional outbursts often rise too. So lowering stress helps life become easier. Maintaining a routine also remains important in support. But I also recognize that life changes, and symptoms can change over time. So routine may need adjustments to match what the person needs as they grow and as their situation changes.
This is also why it is called a “spectrum.” Autism is not just one single condition in one single form. It shows itself in different ways, and people can be affected differently. Two people can both have autism, yet their challenges and strengths can look very different. When I think about autism, there are key things I look for—basic signs that may help someone recognize it.
One of the clearest signs is difficulty with social interaction. Some people struggle to relate with others in the usual ways. They may not easily join conversations, they may not know how to respond socially, or they may prefer their own space. This does not mean they are “rude” or “cold.” It means social connection may not come naturally, and they may find it stressful or confusing.
Another sign is delay in communication, especially language development. Some children do not develop speech the same way as others. Language may come late. Communication may be limited. Or it may develop, but in a delayed way compared to other children. This delay can be one of the first things that makes families begin to suspect something is going on.
Another thing that appears is repetitive behaviors. A person may repeat actions, routines, or patterns. And when stress increases, you may notice emotional outbursts. I have come to see that stress can bring out the strongest reactions. When someone with autism becomes overwhelmed, they may express it emotionally in ways that look intense to others.
When I talk about autism starting early, I mean it can appear from birth and continue as the person grows. Many times, it is noticed in early childhood, especially when the expected milestones—like language, social connection, and communication—seem delayed.
When it comes to causes, I understand autism can be linked to genetics, meaning it can run in families. It can be inherited. So, if one person has autism, you may find others in the same family line who are affected in some way too. I have also learned that environmental factors can play a part, especially around pregnancy and birth. For example, challenges at birth—like a baby being born underweight or being born prematurely—can be part of the story. Also, when a mother experiences high stress or infections during pregnancy, that can play a role. I have also heard about maternal medications being among factors people discuss. The point I am making is that autism can come from a combination of influences—family genetics and life circumstances around early development.
Many people with autism rely heavily on routine. They need things to be predictable. If something is moved, changed, or removed, it can feel like the whole day has been disturbed. A simple example is where something is kept in the home—if they expect the juice to be in one specific place and it is not there, it can disrupt their sense of order and comfort. Routine helps them feel stable. This need for routine can also show up in work settings. If they work, they may do best in environments where the tasks are predictable and structured, where there is a clear pattern to follow. Routine becomes a kind of safety.
Another sign is difficulty making eye contact. Some children and adults may not maintain eye contact for long. It may not be comfortable. It may feel overwhelming. People often misunderstand this, but it can be a common feature in autism. Sensory differences are also important. Some people are very sensitive to sound, light, or touch. Others may seem under-sensitive. You may even see behaviors like tiptoeing, because certain sensations—like the ground beneath the feet—feel too intense or uncomfortable. Sensory experience can shape behavior in a powerful way.
There is also difficulty interpreting facial expressions and body language. Some people cannot easily read what others are communicating through gestures, expressions, or tone. This makes social interaction harder because so much human communication is non-verbal. When someone cannot interpret those signals easily, they may feel confused, left out, or misunderstood. Because of all these struggles, some people with autism prefer being alone. They may withdraw, not because they hate people, but because interaction can be tiring or stressful. They may choose isolation as a way to protect themselves from overwhelm.
I also want to mention self-harm behaviors. Some people with autism may hurt themselves—hitting themselves or doing things that cause harm—especially when they are overwhelmed, overstimulated, or unable to communicate what they need. And when I talk about safety, I keep the same point I have made before: you should always stay alert in all situations. But many times the biggest risk is not that they want to hurt others—it is that they may hurt themselves or become vulnerable to being harmed by others when they are not understood or protected. Sleep problems can also appear. Some people sleep too much, and others struggle to sleep at all. Sleep becomes another area where the brain’s challenges show up in daily life.
When it comes to treatment, I have learned that autism care is not “one-size-fits-all.” Because autism is a spectrum and because people are affected differently, medication and support are usually tailored to the person. You can have a group of people with autism, but they may be taking different medications depending on their specific needs and how strongly symptoms affect them. That is because each person’s situation is different, and treatment is designed to fit the person, not just the label.
Alongside medication, therapy is also used. And another important part is reducing stress. I have said that when stress rises, emotional outbursts often rise too. So lowering stress helps life become easier. Maintaining a routine also remains important in support. But I also recognize that life changes, and symptoms can change over time. So routine may need adjustments to match what the person needs as they grow and as their situation changes.
