More autism awareness

I think it’s good that there’s more awareness of autism now, and that many stereotypes have become obsolete. However, has the current ‘spectrum’ trend trivialised certain people’s needs?

For example, ‘the spectrum’ is a popular topic on social media, and in general conversation. I’ve heard people discuss it like it’s something we’re all on. But say the word ‘autism’ and people clam up – like it’s a taboo word – and not as quirky as the spectrum.

To be autistic or on the spectrum, you need to have shown a multitude of traits since early childhood. And these traits must have impacted you throughout your life.

For me, this impact has included suicide attempts, problems forming relationships, and extreme anxiety.

Although autistic traits and their severities differ among people – there are several key features, and here’s a look at four of them, and how they can impact autistic people’s lives.

Social struggles for autistic people

First, being autistic doesn’t mean you can’t have friends and socialise. It just means that social situations can be a struggle. Especially group situations or ones without structure.

I’ve always enjoyed socialising with one or two other people. But in a group, my anxiety spikes and the only way for me to relax is to drink copious amounts of alcohol.

I used to drink to have a voice. I’d go from silence to the life and soul of the room. This was much easier when I was in my 20s. However, as I’ve aged and can no longer use alcohol in the same way, I often withdraw from busy situations.

Autistic people and emotions

It’s a myth that autistic people have no emotions and don’t care about others. They’re often highly empathetic people. However, expressing emotions and discussing their feelings can be difficult.

For me, every day is an emotional roller coaster. I can go from feeling positive and focused to angry and agitated within seconds. Feeling confident about the future to feeling hopeless. Feeling happy and content to being plagued with self-doubt. And this is all before breakfast.

I’ve always had an outlet for my emotions through martial arts and boxing. However, some autistic people are too anxious to take up sport and may deal with these feelings non-stop, leading to serious mental health issues.

Autism and restrictive behaviours

Restrictive behaviours are when limited interests take up the bulk of your life. They’re often described as obsessions. And they’re not necessarily a bad thing.

For example, I’ve spent over 12 years on a journey of self-improvement. I went from working in a kitchen feeling depressed and lost to running a boxing business. Within two years, I was running this business in Malta.

I returned due to mental health issues but regained my focus and studied a degree in English language and creative writing.

Since the age of 30 when life settled down, I’ve used courses as a way of finding routine and structure.

But when autistic people focus on things too much, they may disregard other parts of their life. For example, things like relationships and planning for the future may not take priority.

However, if they have no support and they’re struggling mentally – why would these things take priority?

Having a focus is vital for autistic people’s well-being. But finding the balance between a focus and a fulfilled life may be challenging.

Autism and catastrophizing

Repetitive thoughts are also a big part of the autistic mind. Since childhood, I’ve had an overactive mind and one that always expects the ‘worst’.

This is known as catastrophizing and is something I constantly do. On a basic level, this can be expecting to get ill or hurt or do something stupid every time you go out. Or expecting every phone call or knock at the door to be bad news.

These negative thoughts are tiring and can hold you back. For example, when you’re constantly expecting something bad to happen – it’s hard to plan for a positive future.

Autism is a complex condition

This was a brief look at ‘some’ autistic traits. There are many more, and they can impact autistic people in different ways.

The main point is – ‘the spectrum’ is a condition called ‘autism’ – and not something that everyone’s on.

Everyone has their struggles and they’re not unique to autism. But it’s important that autistic people’s needs aren’t trivialised and seen as something just a bit ‘quirky’.

Autism can lead to serious mental health problems when people aren’t taken seriously.