What Does ‘On the Spectrum’ Really Mean?
✨Key Points
Autism Is a Spectrum, Not a Scale – Being “on the spectrum” doesn’t mean more or less autistic; it reflects a range of strengths and challenges across different areas like communication, perception, and relationships.
Everyday Variability Is Normal – Just like anyone else, autistic individuals experience daily fluctuations in focus, energy, and social capacity — known as “peaks and valleys” — depending on various internal and external factors.
Understanding, Not Labeling – The term “on the spectrum” promotes awareness and acceptance by describing differences without judgment, encouraging tailored support rather than one-size-fits-all assumptions.
The term “on the spectrum” has become synonymous with autism, but what does it actually mean?
An entry-level definition of spectrum in this context refers to the varying degrees and traits of autism.
However, this is often misinterpreted, and that’s where inaccurate sayings such as “everyone’s a little autistic” have come from.
Of course, knowing that everyone is NOT autistic still doesn’t give a good explanation for what the spectrum actually is.
A Circle, Not a Straight Line
First, you must recognize that the spectrum should be envisioned as a circle rather than a straight line.
This circle contains skills such as social, relationship, communication, perception, and talent.
Take this example:
Let’s say an autistic adult has very strong symptoms in their talent skills, mid-range symptoms in their perception and communication skills, and higher than mid-range symptoms in their relationship and social skills.
Labeling this individual as either high- or low-functioning doesn’t work because they have high needs in some areas and virtually no needs in others.
This is the primary reason why “functioning” labels don’t serve autistic individuals or the community at large.
Peaks and Valleys
Another issue with functioning labels is that they seem to imply that autistic individuals will always stay within their slotted boxes.
This isn’t true, though.
Instead, a person on the spectrum has a profile that can change a bit every single day, just like neurotypical people vary day to day.
If you’ve ever woken up and felt like you had less patience than normal, you’ve experienced the peaks and valleys everyone falls into.
Autism assessments can help professionals and families understand an autistic person’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as what might trigger their peaks and valleys.
‘Do Their Best’ Varies, Too
Another popular saying states that one’s best can vary from day to day.
When we apply this to autistic people, it is easier to understand how their needs can also vary on any given day.
Let’s say an autistic adult usually gets their work done quickly via a computer.
However, there are times when they can’t focus on the computer screen, regardless of how hard they try.
If we dive deeper, we’ll discover that these days coincide with other difficulties.
Reasons for their disruption to work may include being more social than usual, feeling a bit under the weather, experiencing sensory issues, etc.
Neither Good Nor Bad
Although some people may feel that being “on the spectrum” is bad, it really isn’t.
After all, many traits and descriptions are described as being on a spectrum, including the political spectrum.
Rating something “on a spectrum” provides more information regarding where a specific person leans.
Therefore, using the spectrum accordingly is a non-judgmental way to learn more about autistic individuals.
Has your autistic child been having difficulty at school?
Learn more about how WPS can help using diagnostic tools such as ADOS-2 Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Second Edition or the ADI-R Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised.
