Autism spectrum (ASD)

What autism is

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition involving a different way of processing information, relating to other people and responding to what is going on around you (WHO). It is present from childhood and lasts a lifetime. It is not an illness, it is not caused by parenting or vaccines, and it is not a lack of empathy or intelligence.

There is no single way of being autistic. The spectrum is broad: some people need significant support in daily life and others are highly independent, even if they face difficulties that are not always visible from outside. So rather than fitting someone into a list of symptoms, what matters is understanding how their particular way of perceiving and relating to the world works.

Many people reach adolescence or adulthood without being identified, especially women, because they have learned to adapt. They watch others to work out how to greet people, when to speak or how much eye contact to make, and imitate what is expected of them. This is known as camouflaging or masking, and keeping it up for years can be exhausting (Hull et al., 2017).

How it can show up

• Starting or keeping up certain conversations is hard, and sometimes you miss irony, double meanings or what is expected of you.
• You need routines and to know in advance what will happen; an unexpected change forces you to reorganise everything inside.
• You have very intense, specific interests you could talk about for hours and that calm you.
• Certain sounds, lights, smells, textures or physical contact feel very intense, and crowded places overload you.
• After a meeting, a class or a social event you need time alone to recover your energy.
• You find it hard to identify or explain what you feel, even when you know perfectly well that you are not okay.
• You have spent years working hard to seem like everyone else, and that effort leaves you exhausted.

What helps

Anticipating without becoming rigid. Knowing what will happen reduces uncertainty: calendars, timetables, explanations in advance or warnings about changes. But structure should be a tool for independence, not a cage, so flexibility for the unexpected is also worked on, step by step.

Understanding the sensory side. When stimuli exceed your capacity to process them, overload can follow: irritability, anxiety, shutting down or an urgent need to leave. In that moment it helps to reduce stimuli and demands, have a quiet space and keep communication simple. Afterwards, keeping a record of what happened, where and with whom helps spot the triggers and prevent the next one.

Understanding before correcting. A behaviour that looks odd from outside may serve a purpose: self-regulation, avoiding overload or communicating a need. And intense interests are also a strength, a source of motivation, knowledge and connection with others.

Relationships, your way. It is not about learning a list of rules to hide who you are, but about understanding social situations better, communicating your needs and limits and finding ways of relating that feel sustainable to you, in friendships and relationships too. Adapting should not always fall on the autistic person.

What therapy does. At We Are Psycho we work with autistic young people and adults in an individual way that respects how they function: emotional regulation, preventing overload, flexibility, self-esteem and self-knowledge, family, social and romantic relationships, and support through times of change. It can also help with the anxiety or exhaustion that often come with a life designed for a different way of functioning.

What it does not do. It does not aim to stop you being autistic: the goal is for you to live with more wellbeing and independence as who you are. And We Are Psycho's psychologists do not issue official autism diagnoses or reports for third parties.

When to seek an assessment

Having some traits associated with autism does not mean being on the spectrum: many also appear in other conditions or are simply part of someone's personality. An assessment may be worth considering when there are persistent difficulties, across different settings, with communication, the need for predictability, sensory sensitivity, adapting to change or emotional regulation.

For adolescents and adults, the assessment should be specialised and take into account the person's whole developmental history, not just how they behave now, which matters especially when they have learned to camouflage (NICE CG142). It is carried out by specialist teams, such as mental health services or the diagnostic services of autism associations, which you can reach through your doctor.

If you notice a persistent low mood or thoughts of hurting yourself, do not wait for the assessment: talk to a professional now. With thoughts of not wanting to go on, call 800 911 2000 (Línea de la Vida); in immediate danger, call 911.

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  Ainhoa Corbera

  Licensed psychologist · Clinical director

  View profile

Frequently asked questions

Can autism be diagnosed at We Are Psycho?

No. Our psychologists do not issue official diagnoses or reports for third parties. They can help you understand what is happening to you, work on what is hard right now and point you towards where to seek a formal assessment.

Is an assessment worth it if I am already an adult?

Yes. For many people, a diagnosis in adulthood is the first explanation for experiences they had spent years trying to understand. It does not change who you are, but it does change how you understand yourself and what support you can ask for. And a diagnosis should not become a limiting label: it is a tool for understanding needs.

Do I need a diagnosis to start therapy?

No. You can start with what weighs on you now, such as anxiety, exhaustion or difficulties with studies, work or relationships, while the question of diagnosis is being clarified.

How does therapy work at We Are Psycho?

It is online and confidential. You tell us what is going on, for you, your son or daughter or someone close, we suggest the psychologist who fits best and you choose. If you have questions about how it works first, we explain it in a free 20-minute call, with no commitment.