Autism can mean always translating yourself for others.
Some people notice it as sounds that feel louder to them than to others.
Others notice it in conversations, working hard to follow the unwritten rules.
Some only notice it when they burn out, or when their child is diagnosed and it sounds familiar.
Maybe you feel:
- absorbed
- alone in a crowd
- different
- exhausted
Your nervous system takes in and makes sense of the world in its own way.
Understanding autism can help you see yourself more clearly and kindly.
What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong difference in how a brain senses, communicates and makes sense of the world.
It can shape how you process sensory input, connect with people, handle change and focus on interests.
Autism is a natural part of human diversity, with its own strengths and needs.
Many autistic people, especially women and people who mask well, are only recognized later in life.
It looks different across people, genders and cultures, and some people need more support than others.
Life can feel easier when your world makes room for the way you're wired.
Signs and Symptoms of Autism
Physical
- muscle tension
- sensory sensitivity
- shutdowns
- stimming
Mental
- deep focus
- literal thinking
- noticing details
- scripting
Emotional
- distress at change
- joy in interests
- meltdowns
- overwhelm
Social
- masking
- missing social cues
- needing alone time
- preferring one-on-one
What Causes Autism Concerns?
Autism has no single known cause, and it's shaped mostly by genes and influences before or around birth.
Concerns for autistic adults usually come from many places:
- Your body: sensory sensitivity, exhaustion or co-occurring ADHD, anxiety or chronic illness can add strain.
- Your experiences: bullying, punishment for being different or late recognition can add layers of hurt.
- Your relationships: being misunderstood or pushed to seem typical can teach you to hide yourself.
- Your world: bright, loud spaces, rigid workplaces and long waits for assessment can make daily life harder.
Masking can help you get through the day, and it can also lead to exhaustion and burnout.
Your struggles make sense, given how much you've had to adapt.
Autism and Your Nervous System
Your nervous system may take in the world with more or less intensity than other people’s.
Too much input can build up until your body releases tension or protects you with a shutdown response.
Busy spaces, little rest and constant masking can shrink how much your body can hold.
How your brain builds meaning from what you sense is part of the picture too.
Your brain builds what you perceive from detail and experience, so two people can sense different realities.
With more understanding for what you need, your body can find room to settle.
Autism and Trauma
What if your body learned to expect the world to be too much?
Autistic people face more bullying, exclusion and harsh treatment, often from a young age.
Everyday things like lights, physical touch or sudden changes can carry the memory of past overwhelm.
That's part of why ordinary places can feel unsafe to your body.
Autism after trauma can look like masking constantly, avoiding new places or going quiet about your needs.
Each of these once helped you stay safe in places that didn’t understand you.
With safety and acceptance, being yourself can feel good again.
Ways to Care for Yourself
Follow your senses
Notice what your body is asking for through your senses, like quiet, dim, pressure or movement.
Unmask safely
Find safe times and places where you don’t have to perform and you can do anything that feels good.
Follow your interests
Spend time doing what you love with who you love and where you love to be. You have a right to feel joy.
Create a sanctuary
Find or create a space with the right light, sounds and textures that settle you. Return whenever you need.
When to Get Help
You might tell yourself everyone finds this hard, and you just need to cope better.
But masking and pushing through can lead to burnout.
It might be time to reach out if you:
- are struggling at school or work
- are wondering about a diagnosis
- feel exhausted from masking
- feel overloaded most days
You don't have to be diagnosed or in crisis to get support.
When you feel broken, it’s time to get help.
Therapy can help you understand yourself and live in ways that fit you.
Questions About Autism
Why do I feel exhausted after socializing?
Why do I melt down over small things?
Why do I hide my autistic traits?
Why did no one notice sooner?
What causes autism?
How do adults get assessed in Alberta?
Is autism a mental illness?
Is self-identifying as autistic okay?
Resources for Autism in Alberta
If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 any time, day or night. For more crisis lines across Alberta, visit our crisis support page.
Support Lines
- Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642. Free support and referrals for anyone in Alberta, 24/7.
- 211 Alberta: Call or text 211, or chat online, to find local mental health services and community supports.
- Autism Canada: 1-800-983-1795. A national support line for autistic people, families and caregivers.
Learn and Practice
- Autism Society Alberta: Find toolkits, events and resources for autistic Albertans and their families.
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network: Learn about autism from an organization run by autistic people.
- Autism Edmonton: Peer groups for autistic adults, including online discussion groups.
Related Topics in This Library
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