Autism is often described as a “spectrum,” but in real life it behaves more like a profile—a unique constellation of strengths, sensitivities, and challenges. In this video, Dr Tony Weston reframes autism traits as signals rather than flaws, and shows how they point toward specific psychological skills that can be strengthened over time.
Using the Lifelong Capacities Map®, he explores how autistic profiles often intersect with:
1.2 Adaptive Emotional Processing – making sense of emotions in real time instead of getting lost or shut down.
2.1 Cognitive Flexibility – shifting more gently when routines change or plans are disrupted.
4.1 Empathic Attunement – decoding others’ social signals in ways that feel sustainable and authentic.
8.2 Somatic Attunement – noticing body signals before sensory overload or shutdown hits.
10.3 Adaptive Self-Monitoring – adjusting behaviour kindly in the moment, rather than masking from shame.
Whether you’re autistic, exploring traits, parenting an autistic child, or supporting clients, this video offers a non-pathologising, developmental way to understand autism—and practical next steps for building a life that fits your profile more closely.