Autism 101: Understanding What Autism Is

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people communicate, interact, and process sensory information. It’s called a “spectrum” because it presents differently in everyone; some autistic individuals need significant daily support, while others live independently and may not be diagnosed until adulthood.

Key Facts About Autism:

• Prevalence: 1 in 36 children in the US and 1 in 100 people worldwide are autistic.
• Lifelong condition: It is present from birth, though diagnosis may come later.
• Not caused by: Vaccines, parenting styles, or diet.
• Main characteristics: Differences in social communication and the presence of repetitive behaviors or intense interests.
• Language: Both “autistic person” and “person with autism” are used. It’s best to follow an individual’s preference.

Autism affects people of all backgrounds, though boys are diagnosed more often than girls. This disparity is partly because many girls and people from minority communities are underdiagnosed, as research has historically focused on white boys.

The condition involves differences in brain development that create both challenges and unique strengths. While autistic people may struggle with certain social situations or sensory overwhelm, they often excel at pattern recognition, attention to detail, and deep focus.

As CEO of Thrive Mental Health, I’ve seen how co-occurring conditions like anxiety and depression impact autistic adults in Florida. Understanding autism is a crucial part of a person’s complete mental health picture, and our goal is to provide flexible, evidence-based care that recognizes this.

Core Characteristics and How They Manifest

Understanding autism means recognizing how it shapes a person’s daily experience. The DSM-5 outlines two main areas of difference from neurotypical people: social communication and interaction, plus restricted and repetitive behaviors or interests. These characteristics manifest differently in each person, which is why it’s called a spectrum.

Social Communication and Interaction Differences

Social communication differences in autism are about processing social information differently, not being antisocial. This can manifest as challenges with conversational back-and-forth, finding direct eye contact uncomfortable (not disrespectful), or missing subtle body language. Speech patterns may also differ, sometimes sounding more formal or having an unusual rhythm.

While autistic people value relationships, they may find unwritten social rules confusing and prefer connecting over shared interests rather than small talk. The double empathy problem suggests these communication breakdowns are mutual, as neurotypical and autistic people simply have different communication styles. In fact, studies demonstrate that autistic individuals communicate just as effectively with each other as neurotypical people do among themselves.

Restricted, Repetitive Behaviors and Interests

These behaviors serve important purposes like self-regulation, comfort, and deep engagement.

• Stimming (self-stimulatory behavior), such as hand-flapping or rocking, helps regulate emotions and process sensory input.
• Insistence on sameness and fixed routines provide crucial predictability in a world that can feel chaotic and overwhelming.
• Highly focused interests (often called special interests) are a hallmark strength, leading to deep expertise. The concept of monotropism helps explain this tendency to focus on a few things at once.
• Sensory processing differences are common, ranging from hyper-reactivity (oversensitivity to lights, sounds, or textures) to hypo-reactivity (undersensitivity and seeking intense sensory input).

Many autistic people also show motor differences like toe walking or coordination challenges. In my work with autistic adults in Florida seeking mental health support, I’ve learned that understanding these characteristics as meaningful differences—not deficits—transforms how we provide care, especially when anxiety or depression co-occurs with autism.

Understanding the Causes and Diagnosis of Autism

Many families wonder what causes autism. Decades of misinformation have created confusion, but the truth is there’s no single cause. Instead, autism develops from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors.

Known Causes and Risk Factors for Autism

Research shows autism is highly heritable, with genetics playing the primary role. It’s not a single “autism gene” but a complex combination of many genetic variations. Certain genetic conditions, like Fragile X Syndrome, significantly increase the likelihood of an autism diagnosis, which is why genetic testing is often recommended.

• More on genetic testing from the CDC

Other risk factors, which don’t cause autism on their own, include advanced parental age, certain pregnancy and birth complications, and premature birth (especially before 26 weeks).

Debunking Common Myths about Autism

It is critical to debunk harmful myths. First and foremost, vaccines do not cause autism. The original study suggesting a link was fraudulent and has been retracted. Since then, numerous large-scale scientific reviews have found no connection between vaccines and autism.

Similarly, the outdated “refrigerator mother” theory, which blamed cold parenting styles, is completely false. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition present from birth, not a result of parenting. If you’re a parent, know that you did nothing to cause your child’s autism.

The Diagnostic Process

Since there is no single medical test, diagnosing autism requires a comprehensive evaluation by trained professionals, involving observation and developmental history. The early signs often appear in the first two years of life, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism screenings at 18- and 24-month well-child visits.

When concerns arise, a specialist or team of specialists (like developmental pediatricians or psychologists) will conduct an evaluation using standardized tools like the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).

Adult diagnosis is also very common. Many individuals are not diagnosed until their teens or adulthood, especially women, people of color, and those skilled at “masking” their autistic traits. Many adults in Florida and beyond seek diagnosis after a moment of self-realization, which helps them understand themselves and access appropriate support. The rise in autism diagnoses reflects better screening and greater awareness, not an increase in its occurrence.

Co-Occurring Conditions and Unique Strengths

The neurodiversity paradigm views autism not as a deficit, but as a natural variation in how human brains work. This perspective recognizes that being autistic brings both challenges and extraordinary gifts. Understanding this balance is crucial for supporting autistic adults, especially those navigating co-occurring conditions.

Common Co-occurring Health Conditions

While autism itself isn’t a mental illness, co-occurring mental and physical health conditions are common. About 80% of autistic individuals will experience a mental health challenge in their lifetime.

• Mental health challenges are prevalent, including Anxiety Disorders, depression (affecting about 40% of autistic adults), ADHD, and OCD. Tragically, the rate of suicidal ideation is also significantly higher in the autistic community.
• Autistic burnout is a state of profound physical and mental exhaustion, often from the effort of “masking” autistic traits to meet neurotypical expectations.
• Meltdowns and shutdowns are involuntary neurological responses to being overwhelmed, not behavioral choices. A meltdown might involve externalizing distress (crying, yelling), while a shutdown involves withdrawing inward.
• Physical health conditions like epilepsy, chronic gastrointestinal issues, and sleep disorders are also more frequent in the autistic population.

Strengths and Abilities in Autistic Individuals

The autistic mind also has remarkable strengths that deserve recognition. These often include:

• Attention to detail and excellent pattern recognition, which are valuable in technical and research fields.
• The capacity for deep focus and expertise on topics of interest, often leading to encyclopedic knowledge.
• A strong sense of justice and honesty, which manifests as directness and integrity.
• Creativity and unique problem-solving skills that stem from a different way of processing information, as noted in research on improved perceptual functioning in autism.

For adults in Florida managing autism alongside co-occurring mental health conditions, having access to flexible, understanding care is essential. This requires specialized approaches that honor both a person’s neurodivergent needs and their mental health journey.

Support, Therapies, and Interventions

Support for autistic individuals aims to improve quality of life and help them thrive, not to “cure” autism. Because every person is unique, support must be individualized to build on strengths and address specific challenges.

Evidence-Based Therapies and Approaches

Effective interventions focus on building skills and helping people manage challenges. These can include:

• Early intervention services (before age 3), which are highly effective for improving communication and social skills.
• Speech therapy to support all forms of communication, from spoken language to assistive devices.
• Occupational therapy (OT) to help with daily living skills, motor challenges, and sensory processing needs.
• Social skills training to build confidence by teaching the unwritten rules of social interaction.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which has proven highly effective for managing co-occurring conditions. At Thrive Mental Health, we see many autistic adults in Florida benefit from CBT for anxiety and depression.
• Medication, which cannot treat core autistic traits but can be effective for co-occurring conditions like anxiety, ADHD, or irritability. The Parents’ Medication Guide from AACAP is a helpful resource.

It’s important to be cautious of any treatment that promises to “cure” autism, as these often lack scientific backing and can be harmful.

Creating Supportive Environments

Environmental changes can be just as powerful as therapy.

• Accommodations in school (like an Individualized Education Plan) and the workplace (like flexible schedules or clear instructions) are crucial for success.
• Sensory-friendly modifications, such as dimmer lighting or allowing noise-canceling headphones, create more accessible and comfortable environments.
• The autistic community provides invaluable peer support, validation, and a sense of belonging.

The best support is person-centered, focusing on an individual’s unique needs and goals to empower them to live a fulfilling life on their own terms.

Frequently Asked Questions about Autism

There is a lot of outdated information about autism. As someone who works with autistic adults in Florida’s mental health system, I want to provide clear answers to common questions.

Is autism a disease?

No, autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a disease. It is a natural variation in how the brain works that is present from birth. The neurodiversity movement views it as a difference to be understood and supported, not a problem to be cured.

Are there different “levels” of autism?

The DSM-5 uses three “levels” to describe the amount of support a person might need in their daily life. Level 1 is ‘Requiring Support,’ Level 2 is ‘Requiring Substantial Support,’ and Level 3 is ‘Requiring Very Substantial Support.’ It’s important to remember these levels are not rigid categories; a person’s support needs can change depending on their environment, stress levels, and overall well-being.

Can you develop autism as an adult?

No, autism is a lifelong condition that is present from birth. However, it is very common for people to not receive a diagnosis until they are teenagers or adults. This often happens with women, people of color, and those who have become skilled at “masking” (camouflaging) their autistic traits to fit in. For many adults in Florida and elsewhere, a late diagnosis can bring profound relief, self-understanding, and access to appropriate support.

Understanding these facts about autism helps create a more accepting world. At Thrive Mental Health, we recognize that many autistic adults also manage co-occurring conditions like anxiety and depression, which is why our flexible, evidence-based programs are designed to meet people where they are in their mental health journey.

Conclusion: Embracing Neurodiversity and Finding Support

Autism is a complex neurotype with unique strengths and challenges. Understanding it as a different way of experiencing the world—not a wrong one—is the key to acceptance and meaningful support. Embracing the neurodiversity paradigm, which sees autism as a natural variation rather than a deficit, allows autistic people to thrive as their authentic selves.

Understanding autism as part of a complete mental health picture is vital, as many autistic adults also steer co-occurring conditions like anxiety and depression. The combination can feel overwhelming, but with the right support, it is manageable.

For adults in Florida managing the complexities of autism alongside mental health challenges, finding specialized and flexible care makes all the difference. At Thrive Mental Health, we understand that autistic adults need mental health support that honors their unique neurotype and that one-size-fits-all approaches often fall short.

Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Florida and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in Florida are designed with this flexibility at their core. Whether you prefer virtual sessions or in-person care, our expert-led, evidence-based programs adapt to your individual needs.

We are committed to helping you steer your journey with autism and any co-occurring mental health conditions. Our goal is not to change who you are, but to help you build the strategies and support systems to live your most fulfilling life.

Learn more about our flexible mental health programs for autistic adults in Florida.