With three decades of experience as an LCSW, I have gained deep insight into human behavior through both personal and professional journeys. In my experience, I have often found that society often promotes a “one size fits all” approach—implying that if you don’t conform, you simply don’t belong. Recently, I watched an interview clip featuring Brené Brown. If you’re unfamiliar with her, she is a researcher, professor, and author who studies human connection. Her work examines how people connect through empathy, belonging, and love. She discusses what belonging means for each person and notes, “The opposite of true belonging is fitting in. While fitting in requires changing oneself to be accepted by others, true belonging only happens when you are authentically yourself. Fitting in is a ‘hustle’ to gain approval, whereas belonging is being accepted for who you are.”
Today, I aim to shed light on high-functioning Autism and how its core characteristics—often referred to as neurodiverse functioning—can affect individuals as they navigate the challenges of fitting in. Before delving deeper, I’d like to briefly discuss the seven distinct pathways of Autism and clarify what is meant by the term “spectrum.”
Dreambiggeraba.com identifies seven distinct forms of Autism. These forms highlight the diversity within the autism spectrum and demonstrate that each individual may experience autism differently. The seven forms are:
The term “spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms, abilities, and support needs among people with autism. No two individuals on the spectrum are alike, but they often share certain key traits. These shared characteristics are essential to understanding both the similarities and the differences within the autism community.
High-functioning autism is a term often used to describe individuals on the autism spectrum who possess average or above-average intellectual abilities. While not officially recognized as a diagnostic category, this designation highlights specific characteristics that distinguish these individuals from others on the spectrum. Typically, people identified as having high-functioning autism develop language skills comparable to their neurotypical peers. However, they may experience challenges with pragmatic communication, which refers to the practical use of language in social contexts. These individuals frequently achieve independence in adulthood and, in many cases, may not receive an autism diagnosis until their teenage years or later. Despite their intellectual strengths, common difficulties include social interaction and sensory processing challenges, which can significantly impact daily life.
Autism is described as a spectrum because symptoms and abilities can differ greatly from one individual to another. In the context of high-functioning autism, subtle differences in neurological functioning may delay the recognition of neurodiversity. This delay often leads to overlapping or co-occurring diagnoses, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, eating disorders, and addiction. These additional diagnoses can contribute to the complexity of each person’s experience, emphasizing the importance of understanding the broad spectrum of autism and the unique challenges faced by individuals with high-functioning autism.
Individuals may experience auditory processing difficulties but demonstrate exceptional skills in pattern recognition. Others might find crowds overwhelming and require structured routines, yet possess remarkable mathematical abilities. In societies with established norms, outstanding talents are sometimes overlooked in favor of perceived differences. Without collective awareness or sufficient understanding, people facing neurodiverse challenges may feel isolated, ashamed, anxious, and depressed. These individuals can experience loneliness and question their unique interests or difficulties in forming connections. A preference for routine and predictability does not always align well with peer groups that make spontaneous or last-minute changes, which can result in frustration and irritability for those who struggle to adapt quickly. Bullying, whether encountered during childhood or adulthood, can significantly affect self-worth and identity, potentially leading to negative self-perceptions and diminished confidence. This often results in masking behaviors, which are common among individuals seeking inclusion despite symptoms or characteristics that impede belonging. According to Brene Brown, masking functions as a form of armor; protective behaviors and social personas serve to conceal vulnerability, avoid shame, and foster a sense of safety, ultimately hindering authentic connection. Efforts to mask or fit in frequently result in burnout, fatigue, nervous system dysregulation, and deterioration in overall health.
Within broader society, human brain function is commonly categorized in two main ways:
Neurotypical refers to cognitive processing and learning abilities that align with conventional standards. Individuals who are considered neurotypical generally display behaviors, thought patterns, and learning methods that fit within the expectations of established societal norms.
In contrast, neurodivergent describes cognitive processing and learning methods that differ from established norms. People who are neurodivergent may experience variations in how they think, learn, or interact with the world, reflecting the diversity in human brain function across society.
As stated in “Understanding Neurodiversity, Issue 2,” people often believe their own experiences apply universally—especially when it comes to basic self-awareness, the mental space where one’s sense of self interacts with the world. Many assume everyone perceives consciousness the same way, but that’s not actually the case.
How can people broaden their perspectives and embrace differences in themselves and others? What if the greater society could recognize that differences in brain functioning within the human population are normal and that brain functioning that is not neurotypical should not be stigmatized? I believe this kind of recognition would encourage greater empathy and acceptance, allowing individuals to appreciate the unique ways in which people experience and interpret the world around them.
~According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of 2023, approximately 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is identified with autism spectrum disorder. For more information, go to https://autismsociety.org/autism-acceptance-month/
~If you or someone you know struggles with neurodiverse characteristics and want to gain further knowledge, support and find a path to becoming your authentic self, helpful resources include the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), ADDitude Magazine, neurodiversity-affirming therapists, and specialized support groups.
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