Autism in a Nutshell

Autism in a Nutshell: Living Like Sisyphus With Chains

Imagine being Sisyphus, endlessly pushing a boulder uphill. Now, add chains around your ankles and a guard with a whip following close behind. That’s what autism can feel like—except the boulder is everyday life, the chains are invisible barriers, and the guard is society’s relentless expectations.

The Boulder: Everyday Life

For most people, the “boulder” of daily life—school, work, conversations, chores—is heavy but manageable. For autistic people, the same boulder can feel twice as large. Simple tasks like making eye contact, understanding small talk, or enduring a grocery store’s fluorescent lights can demand enormous effort. Every push requires conscious energy.

The Chains: Hidden Struggles

Autism often comes with sensory differences, communication challenges, or executive dysfunction. These are the chains. They’re not visible to others, but they restrict movement all the same:

• A fire alarm isn’t just annoying—it’s unbearable.

• A change in routine doesn’t just frustrate—it destabilizes.

• Planning steps for cooking dinner isn’t just tedious—it can feel impossible.

While others might stroll freely, autistic people must navigate with these extra weights.

The Guard: Society’s Expectations

If autism were only about carrying chains while pushing the boulder, it would already be tough. But the whip makes it harder. The guard is the world demanding “just try harder,” “act normal,” or “fit in.” Even when the boulder is already crushing, the guard pushes for more—more productivity, more compliance, more “masking.”

Masking—pretending to be neurotypical—is like smiling while the whip cracks. It looks fine from the outside, but inside it leaves bruises.

Why the Metaphor Matters

Autism isn’t about being “less than.” It’s about carrying burdens in a world designed for someone else. And just like Sisyphus, there are moments of triumph—when the boulder crests the hill, when accommodations are made, when someone finally sees the effort behind the struggle.

But unlike Sisyphus, autistic people aren’t doomed to eternal suffering. With acceptance, accessibility, and empathy, the chains can be loosened, and the guard can be sent away.

In a Nutshell

Autism is not laziness. It’s not a choice. It’s pushing uphill every day with weights others don’t see, while society often demands even more. The challenge isn’t the person with autism—it’s the world insisting they move mountains without help.