Understanding the Diversity of the Autistic Experience
As a psychologist who works with neurodivergent individuals, I believe that it is essential to recognize that Autistic folx experiences are as complex and diverse as the experiences within any other group of individuals with a shared identity and/or neurotype. In this blog post, we will explore some of the ways that Autistic folx’ experiences differ, emphasizing the importance of understanding and celebrating neurodiversity.
1. Sensory Sensitivities:
Many Autistic individuals experience sensory sensitivities. However, these sensitivities can manifest differently in each individual. Some Autistic individuals may be highly sensitive to lights, sounds, or textures, making navigating certain environments overstimulating and dysregulating. Others may engage in sensory-seeking behaviors, such as stimming, which can provide comfort and self-regulation. And certainly both of these can coexist! Many Autistic individuals use stimming behaviors to self-soothe during and after sensory overwhelm.
2. Communication Styles:
Autistic individuals also have a wide variety of experiences with communication. Some Autistic individuals have limited verbal communication ability and thus use communication methods like sign language and/or communication devices to aid in interactions. Others may have the ability to utilize verbal communication, but experience differences in interpreting social nuances set forth by neurotypical-oriented societal standards. This is one area in which Autistic adults may, consciously or unconsciously, engage in masking. Recent research has further explored what Autistic individuals have known for some time - engaging in communication with other neurodivergent individuals often leads to fewer difficulties and misunderstandings. Thus, understanding and respecting differences in communication is essential for creating a more inclusive society.
3. Special Interests:
Some Autistic individuals have intense, passionate interests known as "special interests." These interests can range from topics such as movies and television to niche hobbies like collecting specific items. These passions can be a source of joy and fulfillment, sometimes leading to expertise in a particular field. However, not all Autistic individuals have the same experience with special interests. For example, an Autistic person may have an intense interest in a certain topic but also not spend what is considered “a lot” of time on said topic. This could be for a number of reasons, including but not limited to: they simply don’t have the time, they do not have the energy due to burnout or other factors, and/or they have several special interests that occupy varying amounts of their time. As with previous points in this post, the main takeaway here is that there is diversity in how Autistic adults experience special interests.
4. Social Interactions:
Autistic individuals experience varying levels of comfort with social interaction, just as allistic individuals do. Some Autistic folx may prioritize alone-time and have a limited social circle, while others may desire a high level of social interaction and seek new connections often. Autistic folx are often stereotyped as ALWAYS experiencing difficulties in navigating social cues and conventions. However, this is not true. Something important to note is that the social cues and conventions that Autistic folx are considered to experience “difficulties” with are very often ones that have been set forth by a neurotypical-oriented society. As mentioned in a previous point, neurodivergent folx often experiences much fewer “difficulties” when interacting with other neurodivergent folx. Could this be because there are fewer neurotypical-oriented expectations? Something to think about! Again, Autistic experiences are not a monolith. It's essential to create inclusive spaces that accommodate different social needs.
5. Executive Functioning:
Executive functioning challenges are common for Autistic individuals. Some may struggle with organization and time management, while others might excel in certain aspects of executive functioning, such as problem-solving or attention to detail. Some Autistic folx may not experience many executive functioning difficulties at all, or have their executive functioning impacted by an intersection of neurotypes (e.g., Autism and ADHD).
6. Emotional Regulation:
Some Autistic individuals may experience intense emotional responses to certain stimuli and situations, sometimes leading to what many Autistic folx describe as meltdowns. These meltdowns can, you guessed it, present differently. Some individuals may experience things more internally, some more externally. There can also be varying levels of physiological experiences that happen concurrently with these emotional experiences. Also, some Autistic individuals may not experience meltdowns and alternatively find it challenging to identify and express their emotions internally and/or externally. Certainly there are Autistic folx that have both of these experiences! Important note here: I am not purporting that the neurotypical standard of emotional regulation is or should be the “gold standard.” I am simply noting that Autistic folx may experience distress and/or discomfort from meltdowns and deserve neurodivergent-affirming tools to feel soothed.
Understanding the diversity of Autistic individuals’ experiences is a crucial step toward embracing neurodiversity. Instead of pathologizing neurodivergence and minimizing its diversity, we should celebrate the unique strengths and perspectives that Autistic individuals bring to our communities. By creating inclusive environments through respecting diverse communication styles, valuing individual interests and abilities, and providing space and resources for various support needs, we can foster a more accepting and supportive society for people of all neurotypes.