Understand more about autism in children and young people, and find out how we can help.
Autism looks different for every child and young person. Some signs are easy to spot. Others are more subtle, especially in children who are coping well on the surface, who mask in school, or who do not match common stereotypes.
Masking or camouflaging
Some autistic children and young people learn to hide their differences to fit in. They might copy other children, rehearse what to say, or follow rules very carefully to avoid standing out. This is often called masking or camouflaging.
Masking can help a young people manage school and social situations, but it can take a lot of energy. Some children seem fine in the classroom, then feel overwhelmed, exhausted, tearful, or irritable at home. Over time, masking can contribute to anxiety, low mood, school avoidance, or a child losing confidence in who they are.
In this video, Clinician Leanne Cooper-Brown shares advice for helping an autistic child to unmask and why creating a safe space for them to be their authentic self is so important.
Seeing autism more clearly
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference, but how it shows up can change depending on the environment, stress levels, and the support a child has. A child or teenager might cope well in one setting and struggle in another. For example, they may appear settled at school because they are following routines and trying hard to do what is expected, but feel drained afterwards and need quiet time to recover. Some children manage well academically but find friendships, sensory overwhelm, or emotional regulation much harder.
Common signs of autism in children and young people
You may recognise some of these experiences in your child or teen:
finding social rules confusing, or feeling worn out after school or social time
preferring to play alone, or finding friendships hard to start or maintain
focusing deeply on favourite interests or topics
feeling more settled with routine and predictability, and finding change stressful
feeling overwhelmed by noise, busy places, bright lights, textures, or unexpected touch
using repetitive movements, sounds, or phrases to self soothe, regulate, or express excitement
finding it hard to describe feelings, or having big emotions that are hard to manage
seeming to cope in school but struggling more at home, especially after a busy day
For some young people, especially those who mask or who do not fit common stereotypes, these signs can be overlooked or misinterpreted. They may develop coping strategies such as copying peers, over preparing for social situations, or becoming perfectionistic. These strategies can help them get through the day, but they can also be tiring and affect wellbeing.
Noticing these more subtle signs can help you understand what your child needs and what support may help. Being autistic does not mean something is wrong with your child. It means their brain processes the world differently. With understanding and the right support, many autistic young people build confidence, feel safer in themselves, and thrive.
It's easy to focus on what an autistic child might find challenging, but in this video autistic parent and content creator Purple Ella, discusses why shifting focus to an autistic child's strengths can be really beneficial and help to build their confidence.
Burnout and overwhelm
Some autistic children and young people experience periods of extreme exhaustion or overwhelm, sometimes described as autistic burnout. This can happen after a long period of coping, masking, sensory overload, or trying to meet demands that feel too much.
It may build up over time or follow a particularly demanding period such as changes at school, exams, a new routine, friendship difficulties, or ongoing stress.
When a child is in burnout or overwhelm, you might notice:
much lower energy than usual, or difficulty managing everyday tasks
more meltdowns or shutdowns, or needing more time alone
finding communication harder, including speaking less or needing more processing time
losing interest in activities they usually enjoy
appearing low in mood, anxious, or more emotionally sensitive
being more sensitive to noise, light, touch, or change
These signs can overlap with ordinary tiredness, anxiety, or depression, which can make it hard to recognise what is driving the change. The key difference is that autistic burnout is often linked to long term overload and the effort of coping without enough recovery time or the right adjustments.
Support often starts with reducing demands where possible, protecting rest, and making environments feel calmer and more predictable. Many children also benefit from understanding, reassurance, and practical adjustments at home and in school.
These signs are not a complete list and they are not exclusive to autism. Some can also be linked to other experiences or needs, such as anxiety, trauma, speech and language differences, learning differences, or everyday stress. If you recognise some of these in your child, an autism assessment can help you understand what is driving them and whether they are related to autism or something else, so you can access the right support.