What is Autism?

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to celebrate, uplift, and advocate for autistic individuals. Rather than focusing on “awareness” alone, the goal is to promote acceptance, understanding, and meaningful inclusion. This month encourages us to challenge stereotypes, support autistic voices, and create a world where all neurotypes are respected and accommodated.

What is Autism?

Autism is a naturally occurring variation in how brains process information, communicate, and experience the world. It is not a disorder to be “fixed” but rather a neurotype—one of many ways human minds work. As we deepen our understanding of autism, it is essential to separate outdated myths from the reality of neurodivergence and approach it with respect, acceptance, and accurate information.

What Autism Is

• A Neurodevelopmental Difference – Autism is a brain-based difference that influences how a person perceives, interacts with, and responds to their environment. It is not a disease or a behavioral problem but a valid and meaningful way of experiencing the world.
• Diverse and Unique – The phrase “if you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person” holds true. Autism presents in endless variations, with each individual having their own strengths, challenges, and preferences.
• Lifelong – Autism is not something that “goes away” with age or therapy. Autistic individuals grow and change like everyone else, but they remain autistic throughout their lives.
• A Different Way of Communicating and Socializing – Autistic people may communicate differently, whether through speech, nonverbal methods, scripting, or other forms of expression. Social norms and expectations may feel unnatural or unnecessary, but this does not mean autistic people are uninterested in connection—it simply means they engage with others in their own ways.
• A Valid and Valuable Identity – Many autistic people see their neurotype as an integral part of who they are, not as something separate from their identity. Autism is not a collection of deficits; it is a different way of being in the world, often accompanied by deep passions, unique insights, and creative problem-solving skills.

What Autism Isn’t

• A Tragedy or a Burden – Autism is not a catastrophe that befalls a family. While autistic individuals may experience challenges—often due to inaccessible environments or a lack of understanding—the idea that autism itself is inherently tragic is outdated and harmful.
• A One-Size-Fits-All Condition – There is no single “look” of autism. Stereotypes, such as assuming all autistic people are either nonverbal or savants, erase the vast diversity within the autistic community. Many autistic individuals experience a mix of strengths and challenges that shift over time.
• Caused by Vaccines or Parenting Style – Science has repeatedly debunked the myth that vaccines cause autism. Autism is primarily genetic and is not the result of poor parenting, trauma, or environmental factors.
• Only a Childhood Condition – Autism does not disappear in adulthood, though many autistic people learn to mask (hide) their traits to navigate a world built for neurotypicals. Many adults, particularly those socialized as girls or those from marginalized communities, may not be diagnosed until later in life.
• Defined Solely by Deficits – Traditional medical models have often framed autism in terms of impairments, but this perspective ignores the richness of the autistic experience. Autistic people bring deep focus, unique problem-solving skills, and innovative thinking to many aspects of life.

Moving Toward Neurodiversity-Affirming Perspectives

Autism is not something to be “cured” but rather understood and accommodated. A neurodiversity-affirming approach acknowledges that autistic individuals have valid needs, perspectives, and ways of engaging with the world. Instead of focusing on changing autistic people to fit into neurotypical norms, we should work toward making society more inclusive, accessible, and accepting of all neurotypes.

By embracing autism as a natural part of human diversity, we can foster a world where autistic individuals are supported, respected, and empowered to thrive as their authentic selves.

In the next post, we will describe what an autism evaluation may look like, as well as explain why an individual may seek one for themselves or their child.