What is Autism?

Autism influences how people think, interact and experiences the world around them. It is a lifelong condition, and it is known as a neurodivergence and a disability.

Being autistic may make people feel things differently and react in a different way. They may find socialising with people confusing and tiring, they may dislike busy or crowdy places, have intense interests, obsess over order and routine, prefer repeated movements and actions.

Autism Spectrum

Being on a spectrum means Autistic people are different from each other. They have different personalities, strengths, weakness and challenges. No two autistic people are the same-

Autism is not a learning disability nor is it a mental illness but many autistic people will have a learning disability and

others due to masking may have a mental illness.

Autism keeps evolving over time, with research being done on the concept. Many autistic people, especially in Nigeria, face barriers

Major characteristics of Autism

Communication: Autistic people often communicate in ways that differ from non-autistic people. They process language more literally, relying on clear and direct wording, and sometimes finding tone of voice, idioms, sarcasm, or vague instructions difficult to interpret; many also experience challenges with reading or using body language, facial expressions, eye contact, and other social cues that neurotypical communication assumes are universal. Additionally, many autistic people are non‑verbal or minimally verbal and may communicate through AAC devices, typing, gestures, pictures, behaviour, or other alternative methods. Altogether, autistic communication is diverse, valid, and deeply expressive when supported and respected.

Behaviours and Interests: Autistic people often show restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests (RRBI), which are natural self‑regulatory patterns that help them stay calm, feel safe, and maintain a sense of control in their environment. These behaviours can influence daily life and wellbeing, but they are not “bad behaviours” — they are coping strategies that support emotional balance, sensory regulation, and predictability.

RRBI can appear as focused, dedicated interests where a person develops a strong passion for a particular hobby, toy, movie, music genre, or academic topic; repeated movements or behaviours such as repeating words or phrases, hand flapping, spinning, twirling hair, biting hands, or watching or listening to the same thing repeatedly; and a strong need for routine and order, including wanting to know what will happen and when, needing a specific toy or object to feel calm, keeping activities at set times, or arranging items in a particular way.

Sensory processing: Autistic people can experience the world with heightened or reduced sensitivity because their sensory systems process input differently, which can make sounds, lights, textures, smells, or movement feel overwhelmingly intense or barely noticeable.

This difference affects how their sense organs receive and interpret information, leading them to feel certain sensations very strongly or, at times, not at all. When an autistic person is under‑sensitive, they often seek additional sensory input to feel regulated and comfortable — they may use fidget toys, explore objects with different textures, enjoy sensory lights, prefer loud or rhythmic sounds, or look for movement-based sensations.

Sensitivity varies widely, so a person may be extremely sensitive to one type of input, like noise, while being under‑sensitive to another, like touch.