Autism is essentially a brain-style difference, as well as a lifelong developmental disability, that is clinically diagnosed under DSM-V as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Autism (also known as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)), affects how an individual processes their sensory and social environment. As a result, characteristic differences in social reasoning, communication, management of emotions, and coping with change are inevitable.  Intense interests, sensory differences, fine and/or gross motor difficulties, and challenges with organisation and planning are other aspects of Autism.  Many autistic people who experience challenges with executive functioning may also have ADHD. Individual differences in the presentation of Autism are unique to the person. It is a spectrum of difficulties that affect individuals in different ways.   How an individual copes in life very much depends on the person-environment fit, and this can vary day-by-day. It is not a linear spectrum from 'low' to 'high functioning'. Instead, it is more helpful to conceptualise  Autism as a color wheel with many different gradients, where each individual has their own Autism constellation.

Only relatively recently in the history of Autism, has the more subtle internalised expression of Autism been recognized, and a diagnosis been given for individuals who did not seem 'obviously autistic'.  Autistic girls and women are often able to ‘fly under the radar’ of diagnostic assessment because of their ability to ‘mask’ their difficulties by being able to imitate others, have better language skills, copy socially successful behaviour, and show less unusual special interests. Unfortunately for many autistic people, ‘masking’ can come at a great cost: not only misdiagnosis, but the loss of self-identity and subsequent anxiety and/or mood disorder. Receiving a diagnosis of Autism at any age is often seen as the beginning of a new and awaited journey of self-discovery and personal growth, and the acceptance into a new tribe of community: autistic neurokins.