Autism

Autism is primarily characterised by challenges in understanding social norms, sensory sensitivities, and a preference for logical thinking over emotional interpretation.


Strengths can include:

  • Attention to detail.

  • Precision and diligence.

  • Visual acuity (clear or sharp vision; ability to distinguish details and shapes).

  • Creative and artistic ability - innovative skills.

  • Mathematical aptitude and technical understanding.

  • Problem-solving abilities.

  • Unique interests - expertise in 'niche' areas.

  • Character strengths - integrity, sincerity and loyalty.

Key challenges can include:

  • Struggling to grasp others' thoughts or emotions unless having them explained.

  • Experiencing heightened anxiety in social situations.

  • Facing challenges in expressing emotions verbally.

  • Taking expressions literally, such as struggling with sarcasm or idiomatic phrases like "break a leg".

  • Strong attachment to daily routines, leading to significant distress when they change.

  • Heightened sensitivity to small details, patterns, smells, or sounds that often go unnoticed by others.

  • Being passionate about specific subjects or activities.

  • Preferring meticulous planning before engaging in tasks or events.

  • Being overwhelmed by the intensity of feelings.

  • Difficulty in forming group friendships, often preferring. solitude and the company of one good friend.

  • Unintentionally coming across as tactless, impolite, or disinterested. 

  • Finding social norms challenging.

  • Discomfort with physical proximity, often reacting strongly if touched or approached closely.

  • Demand avoidance.
Many women may not realize they have autism until they reach adulthood. This is due to girls and women being more able to conceal their symptoms.

In addition, current assessment measurements are insensitive to female autism criteria. This combination can result in a lack of appropriate support.

Experts suggest that adult women and girls are more prone to masking their autism symptoms, especially those on the lower support needs spectrum within autism.


Typical forms of masking include:

  • Making an effort to maintain eye contact in conversations.

  • Planning jokes or phrases in advance for use in social interactions.

  • Emulating the social conduct of others.

  • Imitating facial expressions and gestures.

Female Autism

Tailored support to enable:

  • Understanding the difference between safe and unsafe environments. 

  • Self-understanding and the confidence to unmask in a safe environment.

  • Awareness of individual's unique needs, strengths, and interests.

  • Recognition of different communication styles for more accurate interpretations.

  • Successful navigation of social interactions and cues.

  • A sensory-friendly environment and tools to manage sensitivities.

  • Participation in social activities to combat isolation.

Transformative approaches can include:

HYC will help with

As well as providing or facilitating:

  • A holistic exploration of traits, using a strength-based approach.


  • A thorough exploration of the best fit for study and career.


  • Person-centred and strengths-based employment & career support.


  • Personalised study support.


  • Personalised, situation-relevant assistive technology. 


  • Daily life skills for leading a fulfilling, successful, and healthy lifestyle.


  • Workplace-based personalised employment support and adjustments.


  • Diagnostic Assessment.

HYC will help with

We have gathered some examples of lived experiences, needs and the support we can offer.

Click on the box and then on each tab in turn.

Please note: strengths and weaknesses, and their combinations, are highly individual
and not determined by gender.

Lived Experiences

I'm Autistic

I'm Abeni. I was diagnosed at the age of 16, when I started college. I have been working as an administrator for five years.

I have never disclosed my diagnosis because I worry about being stigmatised and potentially losing my job.

HYC support options

I need support with...

I have challenges

I have strengths

Autism

HYC support options

I need support with...

I have challenges

I have strengths

Autism

I am an accomplished musician and have always excelled in both administrative and technical skills.

My strengths

HYC support options

I need support with...

I have challenges

I have strengths

Autism

My challenges

My biggest challenge is finding the courage to unmask and admit how completely drained I feel after work meetings and team collaborations.

I also want to nurture my friendships with my friends, but I’m afraid they might reject me if I share my true needs.

HYC support options

I need support with...

I have challenges

I have strengths

Autism

My support needs

I would like to understand my autism better—why I excel at certain things while others seem impossible for me.

Sometimes, I wonder: Am I just a misfit, or is there hope for me?

HYC support options

I need support with...

I have challenges

I have strengths

Autism

HYC Support

We will arrange a meeting with one of our neurodivergence specialists to help Abeni gain a deeper understanding of female autism, which will, in turn, boost her confidence.

Additionally, we will offer support in developing her friendships by providing strategies for disclosing her needs in a safe manner.

I'm Autistic

HYC support options

I need support with...

I have challenges

I have strengths

Autism

Hi, I’m Josh. I’m a social guy who enjoys being around my friends. They tease me about my autistic behaviours, but it’s all in good humour.

I've known about my autism for as long as I can remember and received  great support at school. 

HYC support options

I need support with...

I have challenges

I have strengths

Autism

I can design and make just about anything, and I’m a walking encyclopaedia on inventions throughout history.

My strengths

HYC support options

I need support with...

I have challenges

I have strengths

Autism

My challenges

My main challenges include people outside my friendship group sometimes perceiving me as rude or unfeeling.

My girlfriend has accused me of being selfish, which I don’t understand at all, as she is the most important person in my life. Being misunderstood is depressing.

HYC support options

I need support with...

I have challenges

I have strengths

Autism

My support needs

I’d like to understand why people misunderstand me so often and how I can show my girlfriend that I care.

HYC support options

I need support with...

I have challenges

I have strengths

Autism

HYC Support

We will arrange a meeting for Josh with one of our neurodivergence specialists to work on practising phrases and behaviours for various social situations. 

We will provide him with strategies for adjusting his manner, phrasing, and tone of voice to communicate more effectively with his girlfriend.

For more information on how we can support you, contact us. 

We are looking forward to hearing from you. 

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