Part of who you are
Autistic differences
- Strong interests and deep focus
- Preferring routine and predictability
- Noticing details others miss
- Needing quiet time to recharge
When to seek support
Signs that support could help
Autistic traits are part of who someone is. Pain, poor sleep and constant overwhelm are not. Here is how to tell the difference.
Know the signs
What's part of autism, and what needs support
Worth support
Worth looking into
- Poor sleep, or trouble falling asleep
- Tummy pain, constipation or diarrhoea
- A very limited diet or strong food aversions
- Frequent meltdowns or shutdowns
- Sensory overload getting harder to manage
- Ongoing anxiety or low mood
- Exhaustion from masking
- Low energy or brain fog
Don't wait
Get support promptly
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Sudden loss of skills or speech
- Stopping eating or drinking
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe or persistent pain, or new seizures
Thoughts of suicide: call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time, or 999 in an emergency. For other urgent concerns, contact your GP or NHS 111.
Ten signs
10 signs that extra support could help
These aren't signs of autism itself. They are signs that the body or nervous system may be under strain.
- Sleep is a battleTaking a long time to fall asleep, or waking often.
- Tummy troublesConstipation, diarrhoea, pain or bloating.
- Shrinking dietFewer and fewer foods feel safe.
- More meltdownsOr shutdowns, especially after busy days.
- Sensory overloadSound, light or touch getting harder to cope with.
- Constant worryAnxiety that's there most of the time.
- Running on emptyExhaustion from masking or getting through the day.
- Losing skillsFinding things harder that used to be manageable.
- Low moodWithdrawing, or losing interest in favourite things.
- Changes in behaviourNew distress that may be pain someone can't describe.
Early support
From thriving to overloaded
Strain usually builds gradually. The earlier the contributing factors are supported, the easier daily life becomes.
1
Thriving
Needs understood and met
2
Coping
Managing, with a lot of effort or masking
3
Struggling
Sleep, gut or anxiety start to slip
4
Overloaded
More meltdowns, shutdowns or burnout
5
Co-occurring
Diagnosed anxiety, gut or sleep disorders
6
Complex
Several health needs, with specialist teams
Stages 1–4 · The window where early support makes the most difference
Stages 5–6 · Requiring a full work-up with specialist labs and in-depth care, alongside your medical team
Stages 1–4 · The early support window
Stage 1
Thriving
Needs are understood and met, with the right environment and support.
Our focus: Protecting sleep, nutrition and routines that already work.
Stage 2
Coping
Managing, but with a lot of effort, often masking at school or work.
Our focus: A baseline profile and history to spot pressure points early.
Stage 3
Struggling
Sleep, gut health or anxiety start to slip.
Our focus: Targeted testing, and support for sleep, gut and nutrition.
Stage 4
Overloaded
More meltdowns, shutdowns or signs of burnout.
Our focus: A whole-person plan covering the body, sensory needs and recovery.
The window for change is early
Supporting sleep, gut health and regulation early can prevent burnout and make life more manageable.
Stages 5–6 · Full work-up and in-depth care
Stage 5
Co-occurring conditions
Diagnosed anxiety, gut or sleep disorders alongside autism, requiring a full work-up with specialist labs and in-depth care.
Stage 6
Complex needs
Several health needs at once, needing joined-up care with your medical and specialist teams.
These stages are an illustrative guide, not a clinical scale. If you or your child are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time, or 999 in an emergency.
Close to home
Autism clinic in Llandudno, North Wales
We see people in clinic in Llandudno on Monday and Thursday, 11am–7pm, serving Conwy, Colwyn Bay, Bangor, Anglesey and North Wales, with online consultations across the UK. We always work alongside your GP, specialist teams and NHS services.
Not sure where to start?
Start with an Autism Discovery Consultation. It includes a 50-question baseline profile of how autism shows up for you or your child, plus a review of sleep, stress, diet and any past blood tests.
Ready to feel more settled?
Find out what is affecting sleep, gut, energy and wellbeing, and what to change first.
Book a Discovery Consultation