Children

• Reduced or inconsistent response to their name, voices or sounds

• Limited eye contact or face-watching

• Difficulty understanding facial expressions or emotions

• May not engage in typical back-and-forth conversation

• May prefer playing alone or engaging with others on their own terms

• Difficulty understanding social rules in games or play

• May struggle to make or maintain friendships

Adolescents & Adults

• Difficulty interpreting social cues such as body language, tone of voice or subtle emotional signals

• May find small talk or group conversations challenging

• Difficulty understanding non-literal language such as sarcasm, humour or idioms

• May feel unsure about appropriate topics or boundaries in conversation

• Social interaction may feel exhausting or confusing

Children

• Becoming very upset with unexpected changes

• Difficulty transitioning between activities

• Strong preference for predictable routines

• Repetitive play or interest in specific activities

Adolescents & Adults

• Strong need for structure and predictability

• Distress when routines or plans change suddenly

• Preference for clear expectations and rules

• Intense focus on particular interests or topics

Many autistic people experience the world differently through their senses.

This may include:

• Increased sensitivity to noise, lights, textures or smells

• Becoming overwhelmed in busy or crowded environments

• Seeking certain sensory experiences (movement, pressure, repetitive sounds)

• Difficulty understanding the perspectives or feelings of others

• Challenges navigating friendships or romantic relationships

• May appear socially naïve or overly trusting

• May struggle with group dynamics or workplace communication

Autism can present differently in girls and women and is sometimes less easily recognised.

Common indicators may include:

• Strong effort to mask or camouflage difficulties

• Appearing socially capable but feeling exhausted afterwards

• Intense interests that may appear socially typical (e.g. animals, books, celebrities)

• Greater awareness of social differences leading to anxiety or low self-confidence

• Difficulties with friendships that may involve conflict, exclusion or feeling misunderstood

Some boys and men may show more visible behavioural traits, such as:

• Clear repetitive behaviours or routines

• Strong focus on specific interests (e.g. trains, gaming, systems)

• Reduced awareness of social rules or boundaries

• More obvious social communication differences from an early age

PDA is a profile within the autism spectrum characterised by a strong need to resist everyday demands and maintain a sense of control and autonomy. This is not about “refusal” or “behaviour”, but rather a nervous system response to perceived demands and loss of control.

What this can look like:

• Avoidance of everyday demands (e.g. getting dressed, school tasks, routines)

• Strong need for autonomy and control over situations

• Using a range of strategies to avoid demands, including:

  • Distraction or changing the topic

  • Negotiation or bargaining

  • Making excuses or delaying

  • Withdrawal or shutdown

• Appearing socially confident, but struggling with deeper social understanding

• Intense emotional responses when feeling overwhelmed or pressured

• High levels of anxiety, particularly when expectations are unclear or unpredictable

• Mood can change quickly depending on perceived demands

• Difficulty with traditional behaviour management approaches (e.g. rewards, consequences)

• May respond better to flexible, collaborative and indirect approaches