For the past 16 years, the autism community has been running the Light it Up Blue campaign over the course of April, World Autism Month, to promote autism awareness around the world. Iconic structures such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg and King Shaka Airport in Durban are lit up in blue, a colour associated with calmness and acceptance. People are encouraged to wear blue clothes, shine blue lights and hoist blue flags as a symbol of solidarity with individuals who have autism, their families and those who love and support them.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder that impacts the nervous system. It starts in early childhood and continues into adulthood. It is a complex spectrum disorder that is often misunderstood, overlooked or mistreated. Autism is characterised by communication and behavioural challenges that range in severity: on one end of the spectrum, there are individuals who have minor challenges, while on the other end, there are those who might need full-time care and special facilities. In fact, a rainbow-coloured infinity symbol is the international symbol for autism, and represents the vast range of symptoms, the many challenges that autistic individuals face as well as their unlimited range of abilities.

Communication challenges that negatively impact social interaction is arguably one of the most prominent features of autism. For many children, delayed language development could be the first sign of a developmental disorder. Communication challenges also reflect the entire autism spectrum: some people are eloquent, some struggle with speech, while others don’t communicate via speech, and rely on other means of communication such as pictures, signs or communication devices with electronic speech output. Some individuals with autism aren’t able to initiate or respond to social interactions; others struggle to maintain a back-and-forth conversation; and some use echolalia – parroting words that have just been spoken by someone else.

Autistic individuals might also stick to repetitive topics and misunderstand sarcasm or idiomatic speech. For instance, Andrew, a 14-year-old, had a severe behaviour tantrum when a classroom assistant informed him that his mother would be a few minutes late picking him up from school because she was “tied up at work”. Sometimes the communication challenges extend to non-verbal behaviour. For example, when you point to a glass of water, an autistic person might not understand that you are requesting a drink.

Behavioural challenges are another feature of autism. This is observed as restricted and repetitive behaviour, interests and activities, like neatly packing objects in rows. Repetitive motor movements such as flipping or spinning objects are common, as is using objects or toys in a non-functional or inappropriate way. A spoon, for example, may be spun about rather than be used to imitate an eating or feeding action.

Autistic individuals thrive on “sameness”, and typically have an inflexible adherence to specific behavioural rituals. Small changes could cause extreme distress, such as a teacher not being at school, taking a new route to school or changing the sequence of events in a routine, like swopping teeth brushing and hair combing around. Restricted eating patterns are also observed among autistic individuals, as are difficulties with transitions – stopping one activity and moving to another can be extremely challenging and may result in behavioural outbursts. Sensory and environmental stimuli, such as noise and lights, are also often overwhelming for some people with autism.

Autism looks different in everyone. Communication and behaviour profiles differ, as does the level of support needed. However, what many autistic individuals have in common is the mammoth effort required to try to fit in. Many autistic adults try to camouflage or mask their condition (intentionally or unintentionally) by hiding aspects about themselves in an effort to avoid harm or to be accepted. On the surface they may appear calm, but this requires intense concentration and self-control, which is unsustainable.

In a world that is preoccupied with categorising people, assigning them labels and grouping them together based on “sameness”, it is time to embrace the entire spectrum of what makes us human by aiming for a neuro-inclusive world, with increased awareness and acceptance of autism.

We need to start moving away from trying to “cure” or “convert” those with autism, and towards welcoming and supporting them, and advocating for their rights and those of their families. We should be asking people with autism what they want, instead of assuming that we know, and highlighting their often overlooked range of abilities and talents. We can also ease the everyday experience of autistic individuals by allowing them to be themselves: to not make eye contact if that is easier for them or to feel free to wear noise-cancellation headphones. In doing so, we will help them and their families to maintain their dignity and self-esteem.

Let us make blue the colour of possibility, awareness and acceptance. Let us think blue as we amplify autistic voices and work towards human rights for our rainbow nation.