Autism: Autism Spectrum Condition
Evidence-based guidance to help you understand autism and support your child. Focused on mechanisms, not stereotypes. Practical, not theoretical.
Not a linear scale from "mild" to "severe", but a varied constellation of traits, strengths, and support needs.
Meltdowns, withdrawal, and repetitive behaviours often signal sensory overload, anxiety, or unmet needs.
Many autistic children (especially girls) mask their traits at school, leading to exhaustion and after-school collapse.
Adjusting the environment often helps more than trying to change the child. Reduce demands, increase predictability.
Explore Autism
We use identity-first language ("autistic person") as preferred by many in the autistic community, while acknowledging that some prefer person-first language ("person with autism"). Both are acceptable.
We avoid functioning labels ("high-functioning" / "low-functioning") as they oversimplify. Instead, we describe specific support needs.