Autism Exists on a Spectrum The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), states that autism is a spectrum. This means that individuals have different support needs and strengths. Many providers describe autistic people as “high functioning” or “low functioning,” but these terms are generally considered inaccurate because an individual can seem high … Read more
Justice sensitivity refers to an individual’s sense of fairness, equity, and inclusion, as well as their need to address and correct injustices. Most people would describe themselves as having some level of justice sensitivity, though the intensity to which they focus on issues of justice and equity will vary, like all traits. Some people experience … Read more
Although not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, autistic burnout is a condition that has recently gotten the attention of providers, researchers, and the autistic community. Baden Gaeke Franze, 2017 president of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network of Winnipeg, has written, “On the most basic level, autistic burnout means being exhausted. Our brains and … Read more
Cluster C personality disorders are marked by symptoms of anxiety and fear. Cluster C personality disorders include avoidant personality disorder (AVPD), dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD).1 Personality disorders are mental health conditions characterized by changes in a person’s mood, behavior, and thinking patterns. Read on to learn about Cluster C personality disorder types, … Read more
Autistic people have significantly lower life expectancies than the rest of the population. In 2022, the average global life expectancy is approximately 72 years old. For autistic people, though, the average life expectancy ranges from 39.5 years to 58 years.1 Some of the psychological stressors that autistic people experience are a result of existing in a … Read more
Autism is a neurodivergence that manifests as difficulty interpreting neurotypical social cues and rules, strong adherence to routines and rituals, and sensory sensitivity, and it occurs as a result of neurodevelopmental differences. An autistic person might cope with difficulties associated with their neurodivergence, but they do not “grow out” of being autistic. This article covers why autism may be … Read more
Mild autism is an unofficial term that may refer to the diagnosis of level 1 autism. Mild autism may also informally be referred to as “high-functioning autism,” although this term is considered inaccurate and inappropriate as it does not accurately reflect the challenges that autistic people deal with in their daily lives. The Diagnostic and Statistical … Read more
A highly sensitive person (HSP) is a neurodivergent individual who is thought to have an increased or deeper central nervous system sensitivity to physical, emotional, or social stimuli.1 Some refer to this as having sensory processing sensitivity, or SPS for short. We’re all sensitive about certain things—that is human nature—but an HSP is understood to be … Read more
Sensory overload occurs when one or more of the five senses becomes overstimulated. For instance, your sense of hearing may become overloaded when music is too loud, or vision impaired if lights are too bright. In some cases, more than one sense can become overwhelmed at the same time. Learn more about what causes sensory overload, its … Read more
Overstimulation is what happens when there’s too much sensory input for your brain to handle. It can make you feel overwhelmed, irritable, and uncomfortable. Because the ADHD brain isn’t as equipped to filter out sensory input, you’re more likely to have a lower threshold for the amount of stimuli you can tolerate before becoming overstimulated. What Does Overstimulation … Read more