Articles and Resources

The Double Life of Autistic Masking: What Others See In the realm of autism, masking refers to the conscious or unconscious act of hiding one’s authentic traits and behaviours to blend in with societal expectations. The visual titled “In Front of the Mask: What Do Others See?” provides a striking overview of how masking manifests…

Autism +: Understanding Co-Occurring Conditions in Autism The term “Autism +” reflects the reality that many autistic individuals experience co-occurring conditions that significantly shape their daily lives. These additional challenges often get grouped under the umbrella of “autism”. However, this framework encourages us to reframe this understanding—not as a single entity but as an autistic…

Autism + Environment = Outcome: Shaping Lives Through Understanding and Adaptation Luke Beardon’s concept, “Autism + Environment = Outcome,” provides a powerful framework for understanding how the interplay between an autistic individual’s neurology and their environment determines their quality of life. It emphasises that while autism is an intrinsic neurological difference, the environment significantly influences…

The Allostatic Load Cycle and the Monotropic Mind: Understanding Stress, Regulation, and Resilience in Autism Autistic individuals often navigate life with heightened sensitivity to sensory, cognitive, and social demands. These challenges can lead to cycles of stress and dysregulation known as the allostatic load cycle. This model, explained by Melanie Martinelli, highlights the cumulative impact…

Monotropism in Autism: A Strength-Based Perspective Monotropism is a framework that beautifully captures the distinct ways autistic individuals focus their attention and engage with the world. Rather than seeing this as a deficit, monotropism reframes traits often misunderstood as “rigidity” or “inflexibility” as natural differences in how autistic brains process and prioritise information. This perspective…

Understanding the Root of Anxiety Anxiety in autism is often misunderstood as a singular condition. Instead, it is the culmination of specific challenges, including sensory regulation difficulties, interoception, executive functioning demands, communication barriers, and the need for sufficient information to build patterns. To support autistic individuals, it is essential to address these root causes and…