World Autism Awareness Day – 2 April 2025

How to tell if you’re Autistic

Understanding yourself or a loved one can sometimes be like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

If you’re wondering if you might be on the autism spectrum, you’re not alone.

Many people share similar questions and concerns.

In this article, we’ll explore the signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a friendly, accessible way, and we’ll also invite you to take the next step by booking a free phone meeting with our clinical director.

What is autism spectrum disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way individuals communicate, interact and perceive the world around them.

It’s called a “spectrum” because it encompasses a wide range of symptoms and abilities.

Some people may need a great deal of support, while others can lead independent lives.

Understanding autism is essential for many reasons.

This can help you:

  • Gain insight: Recognizing the signs can bring clarity to your experiences and feelings.
  • Accessing Support: Knowing if you’re on the spectrum can open doors to resources, therapies and communities that can help.
  • Improving Relationships: Understanding autism can improve communication and relationships with family, friends and colleagues.

Common signs of autism

Although each individual is unique, there are some common signs that may indicate the presence of autism.

Let’s break this down into a few key areas:

  1. Social communication challenges

One of the main characteristics of autism is difficulty with social communication.

This can manifest itself in different ways:

  • Difficulty having conversations: You may find it difficult to start or maintain conversations. You may feel uncertain about how to respond in social situations or fail to pick up on social cues such as facial expressions or tone of voice.
  • Difficulty understanding social norms: You may not always understand unwritten social rules, such as personal space or turn-taking in conversations.
  • Relationship Formation Challenges: Establishing and maintaining friendships can be difficult. You may feel more comfortable in solitary activities or having a small circle of close friends.
  1. Repetitive behaviours and routines

Many individuals with autism engage in repetitive behaviours or have a strong preference for routines. This can include:

  • Repetitive movements: You may notice that you or someone else is engaging in repetitive actions, such as hand flapping, rocking or spinning objects.
  • Strict routines: A preference for routine is common. Changes in your daily schedule or environment can lead to anxiety or distress.
  • Focused interests: You may have intense interests in specific subjects or activities, often diving deeply into them. This can be a source of joy and expertise.
  1. Sensory sensitivities

Sensory experiences can be amplified or diminished for individuals on the autism spectrum.

This may include:

  • Increased sensitivity: You may be more sensitive to sounds, lights, textures or smells. For example, a loud noise may seem overwhelming, or certain fabrics may be uncomfortable to wear.
  • Diminished sensitivity: Conversely, some individuals may not react to sensory input in the same way as others. For example, they may not notice pain or discomfort as readily.
  1. Emotional regulation

Emotional experiences can be intense for people with autism.

You may find that:

  • Difficulty expressing emotions: You may have difficulty articulating your feelings or expressing them in a way that others find understandable.
  • Overwhelming emotions: Situations that may seem minor to others can lead to significant emotional responses, such as tantrums or shutdowns.
  1. Cognitive differences

Many individuals with autism have unique cognitive profiles.

This may include:

  • Strong visual thinkers: You may think in pictures rather than words, which can be an asset in visual tasks but can complicate verbal communication.
  • Attention to detail: You may notice details that others overlook, which can be beneficial in certain situations, but can also lead to feeling overwhelmed by too much information.

Self-evaluation and reflection

If you recognize yourself in several of the signs mentioned above, it may be useful to engage in some self-reflection.

Here are some questions to consider:

  • Do you often feel misunderstood in social situations?
  • Do you have specific routines that make you anxious to change them?
  • Do you have any particular interests you’re passionate about?
  • Do you experience sensory overload in certain environments?

Although self-reflection can provide information, it’s important to remember that only a qualified professional can provide an accurate diagnosis.

Seeking a professional appraisal

If you suspect that you or someone you know may be on the autism spectrum, seeking a professional evaluation is a crucial step.

Source How do you know if you’re autistic?

World Health Day 2025 – 7 April 2025

World Health Day

Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures

World Health Day, celebrated on 7 April 2025, will kick off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health. The campaign, titled Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures, will urge governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being.

WHO and partners will also share useful information to support healthy pregnancies and births, and better postnatal health.

This task is critical. Tragically, based on currently published estimates, close to 300 000 women lose their life due to pregnancy or childbirth each year, while over 2 million babies die in their first month of life and around 2 million more are stillborn. That’s roughly 1 preventable death every 7 seconds.

Based on current trends, a staggering 4 out of 5 countries are off track to meet targets for improving maternal survival by 2030. 1 in 3 will fail to meet targets for reducing newborn deaths.

Listening to women and supporting families

Women and families everywhere need high quality care that supports them physically and emotionally, before, during and after birth.

Health systems must evolve to manage the many health issues that impact maternal and newborn health. These not only include direct obstetric complications but also mental health conditions, noncommunicable diseases and family planning.

Campaign Goals:

Awareness raising

To raise awareness about gaps in maternal and newborn survival and the need to prioritize women’s longer-term well-being.

Effective investment

To advocate for effective investments that improve the health of women and babies.

Encourage support

To encourage collective action to support parents as well as health professionals who provide critical care.

Provide information

To provide useful health information relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.

Source: World Health Day 2025