Help Autism
‘Autism’ describes a neurodivergent – different – pattern of brain development and thinking. Being autistic affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people. It also affects how a person experiences the world around them. Autistic children, young people and adults are likely to see things differently to others, express themselves differently and process sensory information differently. While autistic people have similarities, each individual has their own personality, characteristics , strengths, and needs.
While being autistic can come with its challenges, it can also equip the individual with unique strengths and skills. For example, autistic individuals can think in different ways which can lead to being innovative and creative; autistic individuals can be extremely passionate and knowledgeable about things of particular interest.
It is important to understand and embrace our differences so that we can work with our brains, and not against them, to enable each individual to thrive.
See our Autism – Quick Guide below. This is also downloadable here.
To receive a diagnosis of autism the individual must show significant differences in the following areas, across several contexts of their daily life:
- Social communication and interaction
- Strong, passionate interests with fixed, linear, thought patterns and behaviours
Autistic individuals also often experience differences in sensory processing
Autistic experiences
Understanding your autistic identity can be a really big thing – it may take time to work out what autism means to you and that’s okay. We’re all unique individuals so everyone will have different feelings about what autism means to them. It can be helpful to understand how others relate to being autistic. There are a lot of neurodivergent people sharing their stories on social media, websites and books. Here are a few that might help you get started:
Books
- A Gobblegark’s Guide to Your Brilliant Neurodivergent Brain – Suzanne Robertshaw & Lily Fossett (2023) (aimed at approximately 7-12 year olds)
- Wonderfully Wired Brains: An Introduction to the World of Neurodiversity – Louise Gooding & Ruth Burrows (2023) (aimed at approximately 7-12 year olds
- All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum: An affirming introduction to autism – Kathy Hoopmann (2020) (aimed at approximately 8-15 year olds)
- Autism, Identity and Me: A Practical Workbook and Professional Guide to Empower Autistic Children and Young People Aged 10+ – Rebecca Duffus (2023)
- The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens (Awesome Guides for Amazing Autistic Kids), – Yenn Purkis (2020) (aimed at approximately 10-14 years old)
- Ways To Be Me – By Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott (2021) (aimed at approximately 9-16 year olds)
- The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic – Siena Castellon (2020) (aimed at young people)
- Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent’s Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After – Chloe Hayden (2024) (both autism and ADHD, aimed at older young people and adults)
- UNMASKED: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence – Ellie Middleton (2023) (both autism and ADHD, older young people and adults)
- The Reason I Jump – Naoki Higashida (2013) (aimed at older young people and adults)
- Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism – Barry Prizant (2015) (aimed at parent/carers and professionals)
There are lots of very successful and famous autistic people, showing that autism does not have to limit a person’s potential, including:
- Greta Thunberg – Swedish environmental activist, best known for challenging world leaders on their action on climate change.
- Cat burns – British singer/songwriter
- Sia – American singer/songwriter
- Sir Anthony Hopkins (CBE) – Welsh actor, director and producer, who has won several prestigious awards, including 2 Academy Awards, 4 BAFTAS and an Olivier Award.
- Tim Burton – American filmmaker, animator and artist. movie director
- Satoshi Tajiri – Japanese video game designer and director, best known for creating the international Pokémon franchise.
- Chris Packham (CBE) English naturalist, television presenter, author and nature photographer
- Christine McGuiness – English model and television personality. Was previously married to comedian and television presenter Paddy McGuiness
- Melanie Sykes – English television and radio presenter
- Clay Marzo – American Professional Surfer – has won many surfing competitions and had many accomplishments including two Perfect 10s during a National Scholastic Surfing Association at age 15.
It is thought that several hugely influential figures in history may have been autistic due to reports of their unique abilities to think in very different and innovative ways, alongside their different social interaction styles.
- Albert Einstein – German scientist, thought to be one of the greatest and most influential scientists of all time.
- Charles Darwin – English naturalist, geologist and biologist, widely known for his influence on the theory of evolution.
- Isaac Newton – English mathematician, scientist and author.
- Thomas Edison – American Inventor and businessman
- Henry Ford – American Inventor, founder of the Ford Motor Company
- Leonardo da Vinci – Italian artist
- Vincent van Gogh – Dutch artist
- Ludwig van Beethoven – German composter and pianist – one of the most admired composers in history.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Austrian musician and composer – one of the most influential composers in history.
- Jane Austen – English novelist, best known for novels such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma.
Autism and communication
Autistic communication and social interaction can look and feel different to neurotypical experiences.
Read more
Autism strengths and challenges
Lots of unique strengths and challenges can be experienced in autism
Read more
Autism and sensory processing
The experience and processing of sensory information can be different in autistic individuals.
Read more
Autism, emotions and anxiety
Emotions and anxiety can be experienced and processed differently in autistic individuals.
Read more
Autism assessment and diagnosis
Assessment and diagnosis of autism can be helpful to identify individual strengths, challenges and needs.
Read moreRecommended external links
National Autistic Society
Advice and guidance, including helplines for various topics e.g. parent-to-parent emotional support, school exclusions, and support for the transition to adulthood. These can be found under ‘phone and email services’.
Go to websiteAutism Central
Autism Central offers a wealth of resources for parents, carers and personal assistants of autistic people in England – from articles and learning materials to signposting you to services and support in your local area.
Go to websiteCurly Hair Project
The Curly Hair Project is founded by autistic author Alis Rowe, and contains resources in a range of formats including animated films and diagrams, as well as online webinars.
Go to websiteAutistiCon
AutistiCon: A Leeds Autism Event is a free annual autism information event. It is held in Leeds and was formerly known as Bigger and Better in Leeds and the Leeds Autism Show.
Go to websiteEmily Price - Autistic SLT
Emily Price is an autistic Speech and Language Therapist, based in Manchester, UK. Her website has lots of very helpful information on autism and neurodivergent affirming practice.
Go to websiteLiterally Ausome
Support, education and advocacy for neurodivergent children and their families. This website has a wealth of information, with some particularly helpful information about situation mutism in autism
Go to websiteWest Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership
The West Yorkshire Neurodiversity programme was established in 2022 following an ask to carry out an autism and ADHD deep dive. Information and resources can be found here.
Go to websiteWas this helpful?
MindMate will be developing the ND hub further – please let us know what you think so far to help us get this right by completing this online survey.
