An Overview of Autism

Do you experience challenges with social interactions or a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behaviour?

Maybe you have a strict adherence to routines or an intense focus on specific interests.

If this resonates with you, you may be autistic. 

Around 1 in 66 children in Canada are autistic, and prevalence estimates worldwide is approximately 1% of the population.

If you identify as autistic, you can see an autism therapist in Ontario, Canada, for support. 

Let’s delve into what autism is, its traits, and some neurodiversity-affirming strategies for navigating life in a world that works against your brain. 

What Is Autism?

Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that causes differences in the way an individual thinks, feels, and interacts with the world around them. 

“Neuro” refers to the nerves and the nervous system. In the case of autism, it references differences in the brain and neural networks associated with autism.

The “developmental” aspect means that autism also impacts development. 

Autism is also a form of neurodivergence, which means that an individual's brain and functioning diverge from what is considered the “norm” in society. 

These differences lead to challenges with communication, social interaction, and a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviours. 

No two autistic individuals experience these challenges the same, as autism exists on a spectrum. There is a range of intensity, frequency, and type of traits between autistic individuals. 

What Are the Signs of Autism?

The signs of autism differ from person to person. But there are some common signs that you may be autistic, including:

• Challenges with social interactions and forming friendships

• Communication differences

• Repetitive motor behaviours, also known as stimming (i.e., rocking your body or arm flapping)

• Resistance to change or a preference for routine or sameness

• Difficulty with eye contact or understanding social cues

• Difficulty regulating your emotions

• Sensory sensitivities

• Intense interests in specific topics or a deep focus on specific details

• Difficulty understanding unwritten social rules or ambiguity

• Taking things literally and not always understanding sarcasm

Alongside these signs of autism, an autistic individual may also experience echolalia, which involves repeating certain sounds, phrases, or words. 

There is a lot of variation in how these traits present. Some autistic individuals may be able to communicate through speech. While others may be nonspeaking and tend to communicate through nonverbal forms of communication.

Many of these traits also get missed in childhood, and some people may remain undiagnosed into adulthood. A late diagnosis of autism typically occurs when the traits begin to impact work or academic performance or interpersonal relationships.

Autism Co-Occurrences

Co-Occurrence is a term used to refer to two conditions occurring at the same time in the same person. 

In the case of autism, it frequently co-occurs with a variety of mental health, medical, and neurodevelopmental conditions. 

Bee Kind Counselling has mental health professionals who can support you with these comorbidities. 

Some of the most common comorbidities include:

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent among autistic individuals. They affect approximately 40% of autistic youth and adults (Vasa et al., 2014).

Autistic individuals can experience any form of anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobias, or panic disorders. 

There are overlapping traits between anxiety and autism, including sensory sensitivities, social challenges, and difficulties with change. 

Anxiety and autism can also create a feedback loop, where anxiety exacerbates autistic traits (such as rigidity or social withdrawal), and autistic traits can, in turn, increase anxiety.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Up until 2013, autism and ADHD could not be diagnosed concurrently. But they can now be diagnosed together. 

Since then, we have seen that ADHD frequently co‑occurs with autism. 

According to the scientific literature, 50 to 70% of individuals with autism also present with comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

When autism and ADHD co-occur, it may present as compounded difficulty with attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and executive functioning challenges.

Mood Disorders 

Autistic individuals are at a higher risk for experiencing mood disorders, in particular, depression. 

In a review of a meta-analysis, it was found that the lifetime prevalence of depression among autistic individuals ranged from 14.4% to 48.6%, depending on the study. 

In autistic individuals with a mood condition, the symptoms of the mood condition may interact with autistic traits in a way that it creates a cycle. Low mood may make the social withdrawal and emotional dysregulation associated with autism worse. 

Autism Therapist in Canada

There is no one universal treatment method for autism, and treatment will vary based on your needs. Therapy can take place virtually or in person.

Bee Kind Counselling has autism therapists who will support you with your autistic traits using a variety of therapy modalities.

These include dialectical behavioural therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, mindfulness, and positive psychology. 

Regardless of the therapy modality used, the purpose of autism therapy is to provide you with a safe environment to navigate your autism challenges while simultaneously recognizing your strengths. 

Autism is not viewed as a deficit or something to be fixed, but rather as a difference in the way your brain interacts with the world. 

In this case, the therapist will provide you with tools so you can learn how to structure your environment to fit your neurodivergent brain. 

Book a Free Consultation With Bee Kind Counselling

Are you reading this blog and thinking that you may be autistic?

Do you feel you may benefit from autism therapy?

If you want to start your journey in therapy and you feel like Bee Kind Counselling may be a potential fit for you, you can book a free 15-minute consultation with a Canada autism therapist by emailing admin@beekindcounselling.com, calling 519-757-7842 ext. 1, or booking through the website below.