Understanding autism
What is autism?
Understanding begins with the person: their strengths, their experiences, and the support that helps them participate in everyday life.
The basics
A Spectrum of Experiences.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition affecting communication, interaction, learning, and behavior. Each autistic person has their own combination of strengths and support needs.
Communication & connection
Different Ways of Relating
People may experience differences in conversation, social cues, play, or relationships.Routines & interests
Patterns That Matter
Repetitive movements, strong interests, and a preference for predictability may be part of a person’s experience.Sensory experiences
A Different Sensory World
Sounds, light, textures, or other sensations may feel more or less intense.Characteristics vary. These examples alone cannot establish a diagnosis. Read the NIMH overview ↗
Finding support
Start with your questions.
Autism can be identified in childhood or later in life. If you have concerns, talk with a qualified health professional about screening or a diagnostic evaluation. Screening identifies whether further evaluation may be helpful; it does not provide a diagnosis. For young children, the official M-CHAT-R/F website provides information about its toddler screening tool.Support Shaped Around Real Life
SEEK works with individuals and families to understand their priorities and develop practical goals. We build goals with people and pay attention to their willingness, choices, and need for a different pace or approach. Data and the person’s experience help us understand whether support is making daily life more manageable, connected, or independent. We provide services in homes, communities, and through telehealth. We also see some clients in our Tempe clinic when home and community settings are not the right fit for their needs. Explore ABA services →Explore counseling services →Common questions
Understanding Each Person’s Needs
What causes autism?
Research points to genetic and environmental influences on development. There is no single known cause.Do all autistic people need the same support?
No. Needs, strengths, and goals differ, and support should reflect the individual. At SEEK, we begin by listening to the person and family. We consider the routines, priorities, preferences, and environments that matter to them.How do I ask about services at SEEK?
Use our Start Services page to choose ABA or counseling. Our intake team can discuss service fit, availability, and next steps. Start a service request →
Helpful resources
Learn more. Connect with support.
Each resource below is a separate website. Choose the organization or tool that fits the information you need.
Understanding & Screening
National research institute
National Institute of Mental Health ↗
An overview of autism, common characteristics, evaluation, and support.Toddler screening information
Official M-CHAT-R/F Website ↗
Information about the autism screening questionnaire for toddlers. Screening can identify a need for further evaluation; it does not provide a diagnosis.Community Connections
Arizona nonprofit
Autism Society of Greater Phoenix ↗
Arizona-focused education, support groups, community events, and resources for autistic people and families.Arizona statewide coalition
Arizona Autism Coalition ↗
Resources, events, collaboration, and advocacy focused on improving autism services and systems across Arizona.National organization
Autism Society of America ↗
Nationwide information, advocacy, and connections to a network of local affiliates, including Greater Phoenix.Your next step