From hating crowds to needing routine and masking – are you autistic like Christine McGuiness and The Last of Us star?

MODEL Christine McGuinness was a “recluse”; for eight years and only left the house at 3am.

Springwatch presenter Chris Packham says it makes him a “task-centric workaholic who sees problems in everything he does”;.

And recently, Bella Ramsey revealed they were diagnosed after struggling to wear thermals on the set of The Last of Us.

But what exactly is autism and why does it seem so different in everyone?

Leanne Cooper-Brown, neurodevelopmental lead at Clinical Partners, tells Sun Health: “Autism is considered a spectrum, so not all people share the same traits.

“Whereas we used to think of autism as a linear line, we have come to realise that terms such as ‘high’ and ‘low’ functioning or definitions of ‘mild’, ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ aren’t helpful and can be misleading.

“Nowadays, we think of autism in terms of the strengths and needs of the individual, which can change over time depending on their environment and support network.”;

About 700,000 people in the UK are thought to have autism – that’s one in 100.

But research by University College London suggests that number could be twice as high, as many people remain undiagnosed.

Cases are on the rise though. Figures released last year showed a 175 per cent increase from 2011 to 2022.

Dr Selina Warlow, clinical psychologist and owner of The Nook Neurodevelopmental Clinic, says: “Conversation around neurodiversity is becoming normalised, and that’s so positive to see. But more awareness is needed.

“Receiving a diagnosis can open access to expert resources that support autistic people to thrive in society.”;

WHAT IS AUTISM?

AUTISM is not an illness or disease. It’s a lifelong disability that means your brain works in a different way, also called neurodivergence, which influences how you experience and interact with the world, Leanne says.

Crucially, autism is a spectrum, so everybody with it is different.

THE CORE CHARACTERISTICS

IT’S long been associated with social difficulties, like problems maintaining conversations and forming relationships.

But research published this week in the journal Cell Press suggested that repetitive behaviours – like rocking or finger-flicking – and special interests – whether it’s TV shows or specific animals – are more indicative of an autism diagnosis.

Generally though, experts say the core characteristics include...

SENSITIVITY

AUTISTIC people can be much more or less sensitive to sights, sounds, textures, tastes and smells.

For example, they find bright lights or crowded spaces overwhelming, Leanne says.

They may also stand too close to others or need to move their whole body to look at something.

STIMMING

TO manage this sensory overload, some people use repetitive movements or sounds.

“This is called stimming, and includes rocking, tapping and hand-flapping,”; Dr Warlow says.

“Though it’s something everyone does to some extent, those with autism are likely to engage with it as a form of self-regulation.”;

MASKING

MASKING is a strategy used by some autistic people, consciously or not, to match neurotypical people, Dr Warlow says.

“It’s a way of hiding your true characteristics, and could involve copying facial expressions, planning conversations in advance, or holding in ‘stimming’ – swapping hand clapping with playing with a pen, for example,”; she adds.

BURNOUT

BURNOUT is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion and is a common feature in autism.

“Being extremely tired, both mentally and physically, can be associated with the act of masking for a long period of time, or sensory or social overload,”; Dr Warlow says.

“Symptoms of autistic burnout include social withdrawal, reduced performance and increased sensitivity.”;

SOCIAL STRUGGLES

SOCIALISING can be confusing or tiring for autistic people.

They often find it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling, making it challenging to make friends.

Leanne says: “In adults, autism may present as difficulties with interpreting social cues such as understanding body language or sarcasm, struggling to express emotions or preferring to be alone. This can impact relationships and work.”;

ROUTINE

MANY of us have a fairly regular daily schedule.

But for autistic people, this becomes a “very strong preference for routine”;, Leanne says.

This could be needing a daily timetable to know what is going to happen and when, or having rigid preferences about foods or clothing.

LITERAL THINKING

SOME autistic people have a literal view of language – like believing it’s actually “raining cats and dogs”; or that someone really wants you to “break a leg”;.

Dr Warlow says: “This can result in confusion with figures of speech, irony or indirect requests.

“For instance, being told to ‘pull your socks up’ might be understood literally, not as a motivational phrase.”;

HYPERFOCUS

OFTEN associated with ADHD, hyperfocusing is also common in autistic people.

“It’s where you’re able to focus intensely on an activity and become absorbed to the point of forgetting about time,”; Dr Warlow says.

“This is useful in work or hobbies but can result in neglect of other aspects of life, such as food or rest.”;

SPECIAL INTERESTS

WE all have hobbies and interests. But for autistic people, these are so compelling they often want to spend all their time learning about, thinking about or doing them.

“Special interests could include anything from dinosaurs to superheroes, and gardening to music,”; Dr Warlow says.

“These usually begin in childhood, but can also form as an adult.

“Chris Packham is an example of an autistic person who turned his childhood special interest in animals into a successful career, becoming one of the UK’s best-loved natural world TV presenters.”;

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

IF you think you or your child might be autistic, speak to your GP.

You may be referred for an assessment, which involves interviews, questionnaires and behavioural observations.

NHS waiting lists are long, so you can choose to pay privately.

Because autism isn’t an illness or disease, it cannot be treated or cured.

However, certain interventions, such as talking therapies and practical adjustments at school or work, can help.

Other support is available through the National Autistic Society and Autism Central.