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Understanding Autism

Welcome to The Cognitive Collective’s Autism resource page

 

If you’re wondering whether you or a loved one might be on the autism spectrum, you’ve come to the right place. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way a person thinks, communicates, and interacts with others. It’s important to remember that autism is a spectrum, meaning it can present in many different ways. At The Cognitive Collective, we offer autism assessments and neurodivergence-informed therapy to support you in navigating life with autism, whether you’re seeking clarity or looking for ongoing support.

What is Autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects how a person processes sensory information, communicates, and forms relationships. It’s often characterized by:
 

  • Differences in communication, including challenges with both verbal and non-verbal communication (e.g., facial expressions, body language).
     

  • Repetitive behaviors and specific, focused interests.
     

  • Sensory sensitivities, where individuals may experience heightened or diminished responses to sensory stimuli like lights, sounds, or textures.
     

Autism affects each individual differently, and people with autism often have a range of unique strengths and challenges. While some people may require significant support, others may lead largely independent lives with minimal intervention.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Signs of autism can appear as early as 18 months, but many individuals may not be diagnosed until later in life. Common characteristics include:

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Social Communication and Interaction Challenges

  • Difficulty understanding social cues (e.g., body language, tone of voice).
     

  • Limited eye contact or trouble with personal space.
     

  • Difficulty initiating or maintaining conversations.
     

  • Challenges in understanding or expressing emotions.
     

  • Preference for solitude or difficulty making and maintaining friendships.
     

Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests:

  • Engaging in repetitive movements or activities (e.g., hand-flapping, rocking).
     

  • Intense focus on specific topics or hobbies (e.g., memorizing facts about a particular subject).
     

  • Rigid adherence to routines or rituals (e.g., eating foods in a particular order, following the same route daily).
     

  • Distress when routines are disrupted or when faced with change.
     

Sensory Sensitivities:

  • Over or under sensitivity to lights, sounds, textures, or smells.
     

  • Unusual reactions to sensory input (e.g., covering ears due to loud noises or avoiding certain fabrics).

Getting A Diagnosis

Autism is diagnosed through a combination of:
 

  1. Comprehensive Developmental and Behavourial Assessments: Healthcare professionals will evaluate your history and current behaviour, often through interviews and observations.
     

  2. Standardized Screening Tools: Tools such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R) can be used to assess specific behaviors and communication patterns.
     

  3. Reports from Parents, Caregivers, or Teachers (For Children and young people): Insight into the individual’s behavior across different settings (home, school, work) is vital to understanding the full picture.
     

At The Cognitive Collective, we offer thorough and compassionate autism assessments, ensuring a holistic approach that includes input from a range of people who know the individual well. This approach ensures that the diagnosis is as accurate and comprehensive as possible.

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For an Autism diagnosis, we can offer the following:

Living with Autism: Tips & Strategies

  • Create Structured Routines: Predictability can help reduce anxiety and support success in daily life.
     

  • Use Visual Supports: Visual aids such as schedules, charts, and cue cards can help communicate expectations and reduce frustration.
     

  • Sensory Sensitivity Awareness: Be mindful of sensory triggers and create a comfortable, accommodating environment.
     

  • Promote Positive Social Interactions: Encourage social activities in environments where the individual feels comfortable, and provide guidance in navigating social scenarios.
     

  • Self-Advocacy: Encourage individuals to advocate for themselves and their needs in environments like school, work, or social settings.

Treatment Options

While there is no “cure” for autism, various interventions can help individuals on the autism spectrum lead fulfilling, meaningful lives. Treatment is highly individualised and may involve a mix of the following:
 

Autism Assessments and Diagnosis
We offer thorough autism assessments to help you understand your or your loved one’s neurodivergent brain. This diagnostic clarity can be an essential step in accessing the right services and support.
 

Neurodivergence-Informed Therapy
Therapy that’s informed by neurodivergence can help individuals on the autism spectrum with emotional regulation, social skills, and coping strategies. Approaches may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), sensory integration therapy, or social skills training to address the unique challenges faced by autistic individuals.

Take a look at our services

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PACT (Play and Communication Therapy) - coming to TCC soon!
The Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) is an evidence-based, parent-led intervention designed to support communication and connection between autistic children and their caregivers. It focuses on enhancing the quality of interactions through responsive, attuned play, helping children—diagnosed or not—to build foundational communication and social engagement skills. PACT can be especially beneficial in early childhood and is shown to have long-term positive outcomes on communication, interaction, and parent-child relationships. At The Cognitive Collective, we support PACT as part of our holistic and affirming approach to working with neurodivergent children and families.

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Social Skills Training
This includes targeted interventions to improve social interaction skills, such as recognizing social cues, making and maintaining friendships, and understanding social norms.

Speech and Occupational Therapy
Speech therapy can help individuals improve verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Occupational therapy helps with managing sensory sensitivities, fine motor skills, and daily life tasks.

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Behavioral Therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other behavioral therapies are often used to promote positive behaviors and reduce challenges, such as repetitive behaviors or difficulties with communication. We approach behavioral interventions carefully, with a strong focus on preserving autonomy and respecting neurodivergent identity.

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Support Networks and Community Resources
Connecting with support groups or communities that understand and celebrate neurodivergence can be life-changing. We can help you access local and online support groups to reduce isolation and build confidence.

A Deeper Look

Misdiagnosis & Overlapping Conditions

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition, and its traits can overlap with or be mistaken for other diagnoses—especially in women and gender-diverse individuals. Some of the most common misdiagnoses or overlapping conditions include: 1. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) / Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) Both autism and BPD/EUPD can involve difficulties with identity, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships. However, in autistic individuals, these difficulties often stem from sensory overload, social confusion, and unmet support needs rather than patterns of relational instability or fear of abandonment. Misdiagnosis can occur when clinicians misinterpret autistic traits—such as meltdowns, emotional intensity, or shutdowns—as signs of personality disorder, particularly when trauma is also present. 2. Complex Trauma / PTSD Many autistic people—especially those who were undiagnosed in childhood—experience trauma due to chronic social exclusion, bullying, misunderstanding, or sensory overwhelm. Trauma responses (such as hypervigilance, dissociation, or emotional numbing) can overlap with autistic traits, leading to misdiagnosis. Importantly, autism can exist alongside trauma. One does not rule out the other, and accurate diagnosis requires understanding both. 3. Anxiety and Depression These are often the first diagnoses given to autistic women, especially if their social struggles and sensory sensitivities have led to burnout. While anxiety and depression are common co-occurring conditions, treating them without recognising autism can be ineffective and invalidating. 4. ADHD Autism and ADHD frequently co-occur, particularly in women. However, sometimes one condition is diagnosed while the other is missed. ADHD traits like impulsivity, executive dysfunction, or emotional dysregulation can overshadow autistic traits or be confused with them. At The Cognitive Collective, we understand that no two autistic individuals are the same—and that the diagnostic process must be nuanced, affirming, and inclusive. We prioritise listening to lived experience, using neuroaffirmative frameworks, and recognising the impact of gender, trauma, and social context on how autism presents. Our neurodiversity specialist services are designed to support accurate identification and to move beyond outdated, male-centric models of autism. Whether you are seeking understanding, support, or a fresh perspective, we're here to help you explore neurodivergence with clarity and compassion.

Autism in Women: Understanding a Different Presentation

Autism in women and girls can look significantly different from the stereotypical or “textbook” presentation, which has historically been based on male developmental models. This has led to widespread underdiagnosis or late diagnosis in women, particularly those without intellectual disabilities or with strong masking skills. Typical presentations of autism in women may include: - Strong social mimicry and masking: Many autistic women learn from a young age to copy the social behaviours of peers in order to fit in. This can involve mimicking speech patterns, facial expressions, and body language, often at the cost of significant mental and emotional energy. - Highly internalised traits: Instead of externalising behaviours (like meltdowns or overt rigidity), autistic women may experience intense anxiety, overthinking, or sensory distress that is hidden from others. - Deep, focused interests: While these may resemble the "special interests" typical in autism, women’s interests are often more socially acceptable (e.g. literature, animals, psychology, fashion), making them less likely to raise clinical concern. - Hyper-empathy or emotional attunement: Contrary to the myth that autistic people lack empathy, many autistic women report being deeply affected by others’ emotions—sometimes excessively so. This can blur boundaries and lead to emotional burnout. - Chronic exhaustion and burnout: Sustaining social expectations, masking, and managing sensory overload can result in autistic burnout—especially in adulthood when life demands increase. - Differences in communication: Women may use more expressive language or have an intense need for clarity in social situations, often being described as "too sensitive" or "overly intense."

Late or Missed Diagnosis

There are several intersecting factors contributing to the late or missed diagnosis of autism, especially in women: - Male-Centric Diagnostic Criteria The DSM and early research on autism were overwhelmingly based on studies of young boys and their typical symptoms. As a result, the clinical understanding of autism was shaped by how it presents in most commonly males—typically through overt social challenges, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours. - Camouflaging and Masking Autistic women in particular often become skilled at blending in socially, suppressing stimming behaviours, scripting conversations, and avoiding eye contact subtly. These masking strategies can delay identification, particularly if a woman is academically or professionally high-achieving. - Social Expectations and Gender Roles From a young age, girls are often socialised to be nurturing, compliant, and socially aware. This pressure can lead autistic girls and women to overcompensate, further masking their differences and internalising distress. - Comorbid Mental Health Challenges Many autistic people are first misdiagnosed with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. While these may be valid comorbidities, they can obscure the underlying neurodevelopmental differences. - Life Stages as Turning Points Many women only receive a diagnosis in adulthood—often after reaching a point of burnout, experiencing a mental health crisis, or after a child is diagnosed and they begin to see the signs in themselves. Others may find clarity after leaving a high-masking environment, such as school or corporate work.

Resources & Support

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Below are some helpful resources to deepen your understanding of Autism and provide further support:

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  • Podcasts:

    • The Autism Podcast – Covers various aspects of autism.

    • Autism Spectrum Australia Podcast – Insights into autism research and support.
       

  • Books:

    • Aspergirls by Rudy Simone – Focuses on women with Asperger syndrome.

    • The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida – Written by a non-verbal autistic teenager.

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If you or someone you know is seeking an autism assessment or ongoing support, we’re here to help. Our neurodiverse-informed approach ensures that we tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each individual.

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Contact us for an initial consultation or to learn more about our autism assessments, coaching, and therapy services. We’re committed to supporting you on your journey toward a better understanding of autism and building a life that works for you.

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Autism is a part of who you are, but it doesn’t define you. With the right support, strategies, and understanding, you can live a fulfilling and empowered life. The Cognitive Collective is here to help you navigate your journey with compassion, respect, and personalised care.

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