Autism is often talked about but rarely understood. This collection of quotes offers a powerful window into what it’s really like to experience the world with autism, navigating sensory overload, communication barriers, emotional challenges, and moments of strength.
1. "Autism is not a processing error. It's a different operating system."
– Sarah Hendrickx
2. “I might hit developmental and societal milestones in a different order than my peers, but I am able to accomplish these small victories on my own time.”
— Haley Moss, Attorney, Autism Spectrum Award Winner 2019, Advisory Board Member
3. “I sometimes feel like I’m living life behind a dirty window. I’m trying to navigate the world but I can’t see where I’m going and people can’t see me accurately either. They don’t see the glass so they don’t know why I’m struggling.”
– @autistic.since.forever
4. “I tend to withdraw when overwhelmed. Not physically, I just stop interacting. I can still see/hear everything going on around me, but none of it sticks. The world looks and feels like somebody just sliced a bunch of different recordings and then spliced the segments together at random.”
– ‘Max’, Simply Psychology
5. “If I am upset or emotional about something, I can go completely mute. It almost feels like my jaw is locked or my throat closes off, like I am physically incapable of talking in that moment. It has resulted in some misunderstandings due to me not being able to defend myself or disagree with someone.”
– ‘Bryan’, Simply Psychology
6. “When I can’t stick to my routine or plans change unexpectedly it feels like someone just asked me to pack my things and move to a new country on the spot. It feels overwhelming and impossible to organize such a big change so quickly.”
– @autistic.since.forever
7. “I used to think, when I was first diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome – a form of autism, about what I can’t do, rather than what I can do, which was a mistake in thinking.”
— Merrick Egber, Administrative Assistant, Els for Autism Foundation, Chair of the Advisory Board
8.“Everyone has a mountain to climb and autism has not been my mountain, it has been my opportunity for victory.”
— Rachel Barcellona, Pageant Professional, Autism Spectrum Award Winner 2017, Advisory Board Member'
9. “Making eye contact feels physically painful. I feel like I can’t breathe, like I just got punched in the stomach and knocked out of air. I can’t hear, I can’t think. It feels overly personal and uncomfortable. It’s an information overload as my brain tries to process way too much at one time.”
– @autistic.since.forever
10. “Do the best you can and never stop.”
— Stephen Wiltshire, Famous Landscape Sketch Artist
These quotes show that autism isn’t something to fear or fix. It’s simply a different way of experiencing the world, filled with unique challenges, perspectives, and strengths. When we take the time to really listen to autistic voices, we open the door to more understanding, empathy, and inclusion.
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