What does “spectrum” actually mean?

When people hear the word “spectrum”, they often picture a line — with “mild” at one end and “severe” at the other. But that’s not how neurodivergence works.

The spectrum isn’t linear. It’s not a scale of “more” or “less” autistic, or “high” vs “low” support needs.

A better way to think about it

It’s more like a colour wheel or multi-dimensional map. Different people have different traits, intensities, sensitivities, and communication styles — and those things can shift depending on:

• environment
• energy levels
• stress
• social context

Someone might have strong verbal skills but struggle with sensory input. Another person might be non-speaking but highly analytical. That doesn’t make one “more” or “less” autistic than the other — just different.

Why this matters

Misunderstanding the word “spectrum” can lead to:

• unhelpful comparisons
• dismissal of real needs (“but you seem fine”)
• confusion about what autism or ADHD “looks like”

When we understand that the spectrum represents diversity — not a scale — we can better support people as they actually are, not how we expect them to be.

The spectrum isn’t about levels.
It’s about variety, complexity, and humanity.