Could it be Autism?
Recognising autistic characteristics across the lifespan.
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. It influences how a person experiences communication, social interaction, predictability, interests, sensory information, and the world around them. Autism is described as a spectrum because autistic people vary considerably in their characteristics, strengths, disabilities and support needs. There is no single autistic appearance, personality, communication style or intellectual profile.
What are the main characteristics of autism?
Autism involves two broad areas of difference: social communication and social interaction; and restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities. These characteristics begin during the developmental period. However, they may not become fully apparent until social, educational, occupational or independent-living demands exceed the person's capacity to compensate.
Social communication and interaction
An autistic person may experience differences in: starting or sustaining conversation; knowing when to speak; interpreting facial expression, tone or indirect meaning; recognising unspoken social rules; adjusting communication for different contexts; understanding sarcasm or ambiguous language; maintaining relationships; participating in groups; expressing interest or emotion in expected ways; using or interpreting eye contact and gesture. These differences are not equivalent to having no interest in other people. Many autistic people strongly desire friendship and connection but find the expectations, unpredictability or sensory demands of social interaction difficult.
Repetitive patterns, interests and predictability
An autistic person may: prefer routines or familiar sequences; become distressed by unexpected change; repeat movements, sounds, words or phrases; have highly focused interests; notice details or patterns others overlook; organise objects or information in particular ways; rehearse conversations; rely on predictable plans; find transitions difficult; experience significant discomfort when interrupted. Focused interests and routines may provide enjoyment, identity, competence, regulation and predictability. They are not automatically problematic.
Sensory processing
Autistic people may experience heightened, reduced or unusual responses to sensory information. This may involve: sound; light; touch; smell; taste; temperature; pain; movement; balance; hunger; thirst; awareness of internal bodily signals. A person may avoid certain sensory experiences while actively seeking others. For example, they may find fluorescent lighting painful but enjoy repetitive movement, firm pressure or particular sounds.
What can autism look like in young children?
Possible characteristics may include: limited or unusual use of gestures; differences in shared attention; reduced response to their name; repetitive play; highly focused interests; distress with changes; sensory sensitivities; delayed, unusual or advanced language; repeating words or scripts; preferring solitary play; difficulty joining peer play; using another person's hand as a tool; intense emotional or sensory responses. No single characteristic confirms autism. Children develop at different rates, and similar behaviours can occur for several reasons.
What can autism look like in school-aged children?
A school-aged child may: follow rules rigidly; find group work confusing; speak extensively about preferred interests; interpret instructions literally; become overwhelmed in noisy classrooms; struggle with unstructured break times; imitate peers to fit in; experience friendship misunderstandings; appear settled at school but become distressed at home; require significant preparation for change; experience school avoidance or exhaustion.
What can autism look like in teenagers and adults?
An adolescent or adult may: rehearse conversations; analyse social interactions afterwards; copy the behaviour of others; require substantial recovery time after social contact; prefer direct communication; become distressed by unexpected demands; experience difficulty with workplace politics; rely on routines to maintain functioning; become deeply absorbed in specific interests; experience sensory overload; feel that social interaction requires conscious calculation; have a history of anxiety, burnout or feeling fundamentally different. Some adults begin considering autism after their child, sibling or partner is assessed.
Autism in girls and women
Some autistic girls and women are identified later because their characteristics do not match traditional stereotypes. They may: observe and imitate peers; prepare conversational scripts; maintain one or two intense friendships; have focused interests that appear socially typical; conceal confusion; appear quiet, compliant or perfectionistic; internalise distress; experience exhaustion after social participation. These characteristics are not exclusive to girls and women. Not all autistic females mask, and autistic males and gender-diverse people may also be overlooked.
What is masking?
Masking or camouflaging involves concealing, suppressing or compensating for autistic characteristics to meet social expectations. A person may force eye contact, suppress movement, copy expressions, rehearse responses or hide sensory discomfort. Masking may help a person avoid criticism or exclusion in the short term. However, sustained masking can require substantial cognitive and emotional effort and may be associated with exhaustion, reduced self-understanding and distress.
Common myths
"Autistic people do not have empathy" — Autistic people experience empathy in varied ways. Some experience intense emotional empathy but find it difficult to identify what another person expects them to say or do.
"Autistic people do not want relationships" — Many autistic people value friendship, family, intimacy and belonging. They may prefer different forms, frequencies or expectations within relationships.
"Eye contact determines whether someone is autistic" — Eye contact varies between people and cultures. Some autistic people use eye contact, particularly when they have consciously learned to do so.
"All autistic people have an intellectual disability" — Autistic people have a wide range of intellectual abilities. Some have intellectual disability, some have average intellectual functioning and others demonstrate advanced abilities.
"Autism can be confirmed by one test" — There is no single biological, psychological or observational test that independently confirms autism. Diagnosis is based on a comprehensive clinical process.
When may an autism assessment be helpful?
An assessment may be useful when autistic characteristics: have been present since the developmental period; affect participation or wellbeing; contribute to misunderstanding or distress; require substantial compensation; affect relationships, education, work or independent living; may explain a longstanding pattern of difference; require diagnostic clarification or documentation.
How Redefini Therapies can help
Redefini provides autism assessment for children, adolescents and adults. Assessment may include clinical interview, developmental history, standardised assessment, observation, questionnaires and collateral information. The purpose is not simply to assign a label. A comprehensive assessment should clarify the person's developmental profile, strengths, needs, functional impact and appropriate recommendations.
This booklet provides general information and is not a diagnostic checklist. Online content and screening questionnaires may help a person decide whether to seek further advice, but they cannot replace an individual assessment completed by an appropriately qualified professional.
References and further reading
National Health and Medical Research Council — Autism assessment and diagnosis guideline
Raising Children Network — Masking in neurodivergent children and teenagers
Not Sure Where to Start?
Whether you're newly diagnosed, coming up for an NDIS review, or simply want to better understand what level of support is right for your family, we're here to help — without the jargon, without the judgment, and without the long wait.
📄 Download the full guide: Could it be Autism - guide (13-page resource, free download)
Or if you're ready to take the next step:
👉 Book an Autism Level Review with Redefini
Redefini Therapies specialises in supporting individuals and families living with neurodiversity and disabilities. Our team of registered psychologists and specialist counsellors are based in Mitchelton, Brisbane.
📞 (07) 3506 0140 | ✉️ admin@redefini.com.au | 🌐 www.redefini.com.au