.png)
What Is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong difference in how a person develops, communicates, processes sensory information, and experiences the world. Every autistic person has a distinct combination of strengths, preferences, and support needs. Some people are identified in childhood; others recognize their traits much later in life.
At New Discovery Psychological Services in Calgary, we help children, teens, and adults explore whether autism, ADHD, or another explanation fits their experiences. Understanding your profile can help you identify useful supports at home, school, university, or work.
Why Is Autism Called a Spectrum?
The spectrum is not a line from “mild” to “severe.” It describes different combinations of communication styles, sensory experiences, interests, abilities, and support needs. These can change with a person's environment, stress, and life stage. Someone who speaks fluently or succeeds at school or work may still need substantial support in other areas.
Core Characteristics of Autism
Clinicians consider two broad areas when evaluating autism. Individual traits can look different from person to person, and no single sign confirms a diagnosis.
Social Communication and Interaction
An autistic person may:
-
Experience back-and-forth conversation differently, including when to enter a conversation or how much detail to share.
-
Use or interpret facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice, and eye contact differently. Eye contact alone is not a test for autism.
-
Approach friendship and relationships differently or need recovery time after social demands.
-
Rehearse conversations or consciously learn social rules that others appear to use intuitively.
These are differences in communication, not a lack of interest in other people or a lack of empathy.
Patterns of Behaviour, Interests, and Sensory Experience
An autistic person may:
-
Repeat movements, sounds, phrases, or actions. Stimming can help with comfort, concentration, or emotional regulation.
-
Prefer routines, predictability, or advance notice of changes.
-
Develop deep, focused interests that bring enjoyment and expertise.
-
Be especially sensitive to sound, light, touch, textures, or smells, or seek additional sensory input. Some people notice internal cues, such as hunger or temperature, differently.
These traits do not all need to be equally visible. They may be less noticeable when someone is masking or in a familiar setting.
Autism Across Ages and Genders
Autism may be recognized early, but a person can reach adulthood without a diagnosis. Some girls, women, and other adults learn to copy social behaviours or hide sensory discomfort. The effort involved may lead to exhaustion even when they appear socially confident.
Learn about autism in women and girls
·
How Common Is Autism, and What Causes It?
The World Health Organization's 2025 overview estimates that approximately 1 in 127 people worldwide is autistic. This is a global average, not a Calgary or Alberta prevalence estimate; reported rates vary across studies.
Autism is associated with differences in early brain development. Genetic factors play an important role, and researchers continue to study how genetic and environmental factors interact. Autism is not caused by parenting or vaccines.
Autism and Co-occurring Needs
An autistic person may also have ADHD, anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, learning differences, or other health needs. Intellectual ability and spoken language vary widely. Assessment looks at the whole person so that support can address each concern instead of assuming every difficulty has the same cause.
Autism and ADHD Can Overlap
Autism
-
Social communication differences
-
Sensory sensitivities
-
Need for sameness or routines
-
Restricted or intense interests
-
Shutdowns or meltdowns from overwhelm
ADHD
-
Inattention or distractibility
-
Impulsivity or hyperactivity
-
Difficulty sustaining focus
-
Difficulty with task completion
-
Emotional impulsivity
Autism Includes Strengths
-
Strong attention to detail
-
Deep focus
-
Creativity
-
Excellent memory
-
Honesty and loyalty
-
Pattern recognition
-
Strong sense of fairness
-
Innovative thinking
What Helpful Support Looks Like
Autism is not an illness to cure. Useful support respects the person's autonomy and priorities and aims to reduce distress, improve access, and make everyday life work better. Depending on the individual, this may include:
Support May Include:
-
Emotional regulation support
-
Executive functioning strategies
-
Parent consultation
-
School accommodations
-
Workplace accommodations
-
Therapy for anxiety or burnout
-
Sensory regulation strategies
-
Referrals to occupational therapy or speech-language therapy
When Might an Autism Assessment Help?
An assessment can help when longstanding patterns in communication, sensory experience, routines, or relationships raise questions, especially if existing explanations have felt incomplete. It considers developmental history, present-day experiences, strengths, and other possible or co-occurring conditions. Its purpose is to provide clarity and practical recommendations, whether or not the outcome is an autism diagnosis.
Ready to talk through your questions? Book a free 20-minute phone consultation with New Discovery Psychological Services. We will discuss your concerns and the appropriate next step.
Book a Free Phone Consultation
signs of autism
