Understanding Your Operating System
Imagine the human brain as a complex, brilliant computer. Most are built with a common, widely shared "operating system." This OS is optimized for the social and sensory world as it's typically designed, handling certain inputs and outputs with default ease.
Another significant portion of the population runs on a different, equally valid neurotype—a distinct operating system with its own unique features, processing speeds, and specialties. Autism is one such neurotype.
This alternative OS is not a virus or a bug. It's a different foundational code. It may process sensory data more intensely (like running high-definition audio drivers that pick up every fan hum and distant conversation). Its social software might prioritize deep, logical connection over casual, automatic networking. Its security protocols often require predictability and clear rules to function smoothly.
The challenge arises not from the OS itself, but from navigating a world built almost entirely for the more common default system. What looks like a "glitch" or "error" from the outside is often a mismatch—a powerful processor struggling to run software it wasn't designed for, without the right accommodations.
Below you’ll find common experiences of the autistic neurotype. It describes the features, not the flaws, of this different operating system. If the descriptions here feel less like a list of pathologies and more like a manual for a brain you recognize, it may offer a powerful new framework for understanding yourself.
The Three Levels of Autism
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) categorizes autism into three levels based on the amount of support a person requires (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3).
Level 1: –Often referred to as "high functioning" or “Asperger’s (though this term is outdated). The person can speak and live independently but struggles with social nuances, organization, and transitions.
Level 2: "Requiring Substantial Support" – Social deficits and repetitive behaviors are more obvious to casual observers. Communication may be limited to simple sentences, and change causes significant distress
Level 3: "Requiring Very Substantial Support" – Severe challenges in verbal and non-verbal communication. Daily life requires constant assistance. Repetitive behaviors or sensory sensitivities significantly interfere with all aspects of life.
Level
Formal Designation
What it looks like
Level 1
Requiring Support
Often referred to as "high functioning" or “Asperger’s (though this term is outdated). The person can speak and live independently but struggles with social nuances, organization, and transitions.
Level 2
Requiring Substantial Support
Social deficits and repetitive behaviors are more obvious to casual observers. Communication may be limited to simple sentences, and change causes significant distress.
Level 3
Requiring Very Substantial Support
Severe challenges in verbal and non-verbal communication. Daily life requires constant assistance. Repetitive behaviors or sensory sensitivities significantly interfere with all aspects of life.8
Crucially, individuals at Level 1 (or those labeled "high-functioning") are often profoundly misunderstood. Their needs are frequently invisible because they may:
Mask or camouflage their autistic traits intensely to fit in, leading to extreme exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout.
Have average or above-average verbal skills, which can mask significant struggles with social nuance, sensory processing, and internal regulation.
Be told they "don't look autistic," which invalidates their lived experience and can delay diagnosis and support.
Autism is a spectrum of traits, not a linear scale of severity. A person may need Level 1 support for social interaction but Level 2 support for sensory processing. The focus should be on understanding an individual's specific pattern of strengths and challenges, not on functioning labels.
Social Communication & Interaction
You find social rules confusing and often learn them by intellectual observation rather than intuition. You might feel like you're "translating" social behavior.
You prefer direct, clear communication and may find sarcasm, hints, or implied meanings difficult to interpret.
Small talk feels draining or pointless, while deep, passionate conversations on specific topics are energizing.
You notice social details others miss, but might miss broader, unspoken cues like flirting or social hierarchy.
Eye contact can feel overwhelming, intense, or distracting, making it harder to listen and process what's being said.
You may use scripting— preparing phrases or conversations in advance for common social situations.
Sensory & Physical Experiences
Your senses are dialed up (hyper-sensitive) or down (hypo-sensitive). You might be overwhelmed by bright lights, certain sounds, textures, or smells that others don't notice. Or, you might seek out intense sensory input.
You have a deep need for predictability and struggle with sudden changes to plans, routines, or environments. This can cause significant anxiety or shutdown.
You engage in self-regulating movements (stimming), like rocking, pacing, hand-flapping, or repeating sounds. This helps manage emotions, sensory input, or express joy.
You have a strong preference for specific clothing (e.g., based on fabric texture, tags, seams) due to sensory comfort.
Coordinating your body in space (proprioception) can be challenging, affecting gait, posture, or appearing clumsy.
Cognitive Patterns & Special Interests
You have "special interests"—topics you dive into with immense passion, depth, and focus. These provide joy, comfort, and are central to your well-being.
You think in very specific, literal, and detailed ways. You may excel at identifying patterns, inconsistencies, or errors that others overlook.
You have a strong sense of justice and fairness, and can become very distressed by perceived hypocrisy, injustice, or broken rules.
Your thinking style might be systemic or bottom-up, focusing on details first before seeing the whole picture, or vice-versa.
You may experience periods of nonverbal shutdown or selective mutism when overwhelmed, where speech feels temporarily inaccessible.
Internal & Emotional World
You experience emotions intensely, but may have difficulty identifying or naming them in the moment (alexithymia). They may also manifest physically first.
You need significant downtime to recover from social or sensory-stimulating environments ("social hangover" or burnout).
You may experience periods of extreme fatigue or shutdown after prolonged masking (consciously performing social behaviors to fit in).
Your empathy is deep but may be expressed differently— through logical support, sharing related information, or focused problem-solving rather than conventional comforting.
You form deep, loyal connections, often bonding over shared interests or values rather than casual socializing.
Commonly Reported Expressions & Experiences (Non-Stigmatizing)
“I need to process that.”
“I’m feeling overstimulated.”
“Could you be more specific/direct?”
“I don’t understand the social rule here.”
“That’s my special interest.”
“I need to follow my routine to function.”
“I’m masking right now.”
“I need to stim to regulate.”
“I’m going nonverbal/shutting down.”
“I’m having a social hangover from that event.”
“I experience empathy, but I show it by trying to fix the problem.”
“Change in plans causes me real distress.”
Important Perspective
Autism is a natural variation in human neurology, not a disease or deficit. It comes with both unique challenges and strengths, such as deep focus, pattern recognition, honesty, loyalty, and innovative thinking. If this resonates with you and you seek understanding or support, connecting with the neurodiversity community and seeking assessment from a professional who understands adult autism can be valuable steps.
