I think a big reason people have such a hard time understanding autism is that autistic people's reactions to things can change from one day to the next... and it can seem really random and inconsistent. 

For example...

We might handle a certain task (like putting away laundry) easily one day but shut down when asked to do it another.

Or we might handle social interactions with strangers just fine one day, but have a REALLY hard time with it another.

I think this happens for 2 reasons...

1. What's going on around us is constantly changing.

We go from our comfy bed in the morning to a ton of different environments throughout the day—most of which we can't control and many of which lead to sensory overload.

We're also constantly interacting with people (at home, at work, at the grocery store, etc)... whose moods and behaviors are unpredictable and that we have difficulty understanding.

2. Our mental and emotional state is constantly changing. 

We have days when everything seems to be going right... days when everything seems to be going wrong... and every type of day in between.

And our mental and emotional state significantly impacts our ability to handle things like sensory overload... or a disruption in routine... or a conversation that goes sideways... and so many other autistic challenges.

So, let's say I'm struggling one day because I didn't sleep well the night before and then bump into an acquaintance at the supermarket. I might not have the energy to engage with them and come across as rude (completely unintentionally).

Or if I'm feeling overheated and I'm in the middle of preparing dinner and one of my kids keeps calling me from the other room... when this type of thing happens, I'm not usually my best self 😬😅

And then as a parent of a kid with the exact same challenges... my son might refuse to do something he normally has no trouble doing because of HIS mental and emotional state and everything he experienced throughout HIS day.

Long story short... our autistic struggles can change from one moment to the next.

And, for me at least, it helps to understand why. 😊