Living With Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Autism spectrum disorder(ASD) is type of neurodivergence according to theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Autism represents differences in how the brain is wired and how it functions.

While many autistic people are disabled, others do not consider themselves disabled. Autism does not indicate deficits in comparison to people who are considered neurotypical. Instead, it means that a person may needvarying levels of supportand accommodation to thrive.

Getting a diagnosiscan often feel overwhelming. It is important to recognize that autism is not a condition that needs to be cured. It means that a person may need different supports, adjustments in their environment, and coping strategies to live full lives with minimal disruptions to their daily functioning.

This article explores the emotional, physical, and social impacts that autistic people live with. It also provides tips to people who are caring for an autistic person.

Emotional Tips for Living With Autism

Research suggests that autistic individuals face feelings of anxiety and stress, which can take a toll on emotional health, coping, and resilience to stress.Some of these pressures stem from societal expectations, which often insist that neurodivergent people must conform toneurotypicaldemands. Additionally, autistic people are at higher risk for trauma and abuse compared to non-autistic people.

While autistic traits often manifest initially in early childhood, autistic children grow into autistic adults. Autism is not something that goes away as the individual gets older.

For an autistic adult, finallygetting a diagnosisafter a lifetime of not understanding why they are the way they are can be difficult. Many providers will not evaluate adults, andmany autistic people are misdiagnosedor inaccurately told they are not autistic following an evaluation. Those who are able to get an evaluation from a qualified provider might struggle to afford the service.

Whether self-identified or diagnosed through an evaluation, a person who learns they are autistic later in life may experience many different emotions associated with this realization. They may grieve not knowing sooner or feel overwhelmed as they reprocess past experiences with this knowledge in mind. They might also spend considerable time comprehending their identity in light of this information as they learn to unmask and live authentically outside of neurotypical expectations of behavior.

What’s It Like to be Diagnosed With Autism as an Adult? New Research Takes a Closer Look

Understand the Emotional Challenges

Autism is a form ofneurodivergence, which means that the way a person’s brain functions differs from what is considered neurotypical. However, because neurodivergent people are often expected to think, act, and feel in neurotypical ways, they experience ongoing stress resulting from having tomaskor present in ways that meet neurotypical standards.

These emotional reactions might often mimic other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and many autistic people have at least one mental health diagnosis.Autism can also co-occur with other conditions such asADHD, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Dealing with the emotions of an autism diagnosis is even more difficult for autistic people who were not permitted to learn how to process and express emotions in a way that comes naturally to them.

Find Ways to Manage Anxiety

A lot of autistic people experience anxiety. One 2019 study found that while 9% of a control group reported anxiety, 20% of autistic adults reported having anxiety symptoms.

Such anxiety may be the result of challenges with daily living. In addition, many autistic people experience anxiety about social interactions. Autistic people tend to communicate differently from non-autistic people, and they might struggle with interpreting nonverbal social cues or neurotypical rules for social communication. This can lead to them being labeled “rude” for not following these rules. They may become anxious about making mistakes or being misunderstood.

If you are experiencinganxiety symptoms, you can consult a provider about treatment options, including therapy, that can help manage and alleviate these symptoms.

Relaxation strategies that may help manage anxiety include using a weighted blanket, creating art, going for a walk, using a fidget toy, or using breathing exercises.

Living With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Staying Healthy For Autistic People

Healthcare providers may focus on an autistic person’s autism diagnosis any time the individual has an appointment, which could cause them to overlook other symptoms. However, it is important to stay on top of other regular medical checkups like annual physicals and monthly dental visits. You can bring a supportive person to these appointments, like a partner, family member, or friend, to help you advocate for yourself and communicate with medical providers effectively.

In addition, strategies that can help maintain physical health include:

Caregiving For Someone With Autism

Active Lifestyle

There are several treatment programs to help autistic people get their support needs met or manageco-occurring diagnoses, though very few of these programs include a physical activity regimen. Some autistic people might find that their motor skills, such as walking or coordination, are affected. Hypermobility and dyspraxia are examples of related diagnoses.

Research suggests that staying physically active can help improve communication, self-regulation, and behavior in autistic children.

If you are autistic, it is important to find activities you enjoy in order to stay active to remain healthy. Focusing on activities you enjoy and that feel good when you are doing them can help both physical and mental health.

Maintaining a Balanced Diet

Some autistic people find it hard to maintain a balanced diet due to food textures, smells, and other sensory challenges. Many have specific dietary needs due to sensory sensitivities.

It may take some work, but it is important to find ways to work around these food preferences to find foods that a person likes that meet their nutritional needs.

This may take some patience and trial and error, so be prepared to try (and probably reject) a number of different foods before finding some that are acceptable to you. Disordered eating and eating disorders like ARFID are common with autistic people, so awareness is important as well.

The use of supplements such as green powders can be important or necessary.

You can keep a food diary of the foods that you or your loved one like and dislike and build a food timetable from there.

Sleep Challenges

Social Impact of Being Autistic

Humans are relational, and everyone needs social support in some form. However, autistic people may sometimes struggle with this for various reasons.

Communication issues and overstimulation can create difficulty in a person’s ability to form and maintaininterpersonal relationships.

Stigmais another significant problem for autistic people. Research suggests that neurotypical people are often less willing to interact with autistic peers due to stigma.

While there may be challenges, it’s incredibly important for an autistic person to get adequate social support. Social support can come from family, friends, and local support group meetings in their area.

If you are autistic, a support group for other autistic people can help you meet and connect with people from your own community. If your loved one is autistic, a support group can help you manage stressors you are experiencing and be there for your loved one in the most effective way. You get to meet others who have delt with similar challenges and experiences.

Resources and OrganizationsOrganizations such as theAutistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN),Asperger/Autism Network (AANE), orColor of Autismalso offer additional resources and support.

Resources and Organizations

Organizations such as theAutistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN),Asperger/Autism Network (AANE), orColor of Autismalso offer additional resources and support.

If you arecaring for an autistic person, it’s important to remember to also take care of yourself. Depending on your loved one’s needs, they may require varying levels of assistance and support. Taking care of your own emotional and physical health helps you provide the best support for the autistic person you are caring for.

Autism is a lifelong form of neurodivergence. The focus should be on helping a person recognize their strengths and find ways to manage the challenges that a neurotypical world often presents.

Where treatment approaches have traditionally focused on a normative agenda, self-advocacy has led to a growing understanding of the needs and lived experiences of neurodiverse people. Rather than focusing on “fixing” the autistic person or teaching them to act in neurotypical ways and mask their autistic traits, caring for an autistic person should focus on meeting the individual’s needs, helping them communicate in a way that is effective and comfortable for them, and treating any comorbid conditions.

More recent interventions focus on adapting environments to improve functioning and utilizing strategies that maximize well-being and autonomy. Some autistic people have shared that coping strategies built on natural developmental processes are helpful.

Identity-First Language

Support for Autistic Kids

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), autistic children are eligible to get certain free or low-cost services to help build skills and manage needs. These services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical evaluations, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, and other services.

If you suspect your child is autistic or has other developmental challenges but hasn’t gotten a diagnosis, the IDEA allows children under 10 to benefit from these services.

How the Theory of Mind Helps Us Understand Others

11 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ghanouni P, Quirke S.Resilience and coping strategies in adults with autism spectrum disorder.J Autism Dev Disord. 2022:1–12. doi:10.1007/s10803-022-05436-yHaruvi-Lamdan, N., Horesh, D., & Golan, O. (2018).PTSD and autism spectrum disorder: Co-morbidity, gaps in research, and potential shared mechanisms.Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy,10(3), 290–299. doi:10.1037/tra0000298Lewis LF.Exploring the experience of self-diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adults.Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 2016;30(5):575-580.van Heijst BF, Deserno MK, Rhebergen D, Geurts HM.Autism and depression are connected: A report of two complimentary network studies.Autism. 2020;24(3):680-692.Neumeyer AM, Anixt J, Chan J, et al.Identifying associations among co-occurring medical conditions in children with autism spectrum disorders.Academic Pediatrics. 2019;19(3):300-306.Nimmo-Smith V, Heuvelman H, Dalman C, Lundberg M, Idring S, Carpenter P, Magnusson C, Rai D.Anxiety disorders in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A population-based study.J Autism Dev Disord. 2020;50(1):308-318. doi:10.1007/s10803-019-04234-3Sefen JAN, Al-Salmi S, Shaikh Z, AlMulhem JT, Rajab E, Fredericks S.Beneficial use and potential effectiveness of physical activity in managing autism spectrum disorder.Front Behav Neurosci. 2020;14:587560. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2020.587560Indiana University Bloomington: Indiana Resource Center for Autism.Mealtime and children on the autism spectrum: beyond picky, fussy, and fads. 2019Devnani P, Hegde A.Autism and sleep disorders. Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. 2015;10(4):304.Sasson NJ, Faso DJ, Nugent J, Lovell S, Kennedy DP, Grossman RB.Neurotypical peers are less willing to interact with those with autism based on thin slice judgments.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):40700. doi:10.1038/srep40700Leadbitter K, Buckle KL, Ellis C, Dekker M.Autistic self-advocacy and the neurodiversity movement: implications for autism early intervention research and practice.Front Psychol. 2021;12:635690. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635690

11 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ghanouni P, Quirke S.Resilience and coping strategies in adults with autism spectrum disorder.J Autism Dev Disord. 2022:1–12. doi:10.1007/s10803-022-05436-yHaruvi-Lamdan, N., Horesh, D., & Golan, O. (2018).PTSD and autism spectrum disorder: Co-morbidity, gaps in research, and potential shared mechanisms.Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy,10(3), 290–299. doi:10.1037/tra0000298Lewis LF.Exploring the experience of self-diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adults.Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 2016;30(5):575-580.van Heijst BF, Deserno MK, Rhebergen D, Geurts HM.Autism and depression are connected: A report of two complimentary network studies.Autism. 2020;24(3):680-692.Neumeyer AM, Anixt J, Chan J, et al.Identifying associations among co-occurring medical conditions in children with autism spectrum disorders.Academic Pediatrics. 2019;19(3):300-306.Nimmo-Smith V, Heuvelman H, Dalman C, Lundberg M, Idring S, Carpenter P, Magnusson C, Rai D.Anxiety disorders in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A population-based study.J Autism Dev Disord. 2020;50(1):308-318. doi:10.1007/s10803-019-04234-3Sefen JAN, Al-Salmi S, Shaikh Z, AlMulhem JT, Rajab E, Fredericks S.Beneficial use and potential effectiveness of physical activity in managing autism spectrum disorder.Front Behav Neurosci. 2020;14:587560. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2020.587560Indiana University Bloomington: Indiana Resource Center for Autism.Mealtime and children on the autism spectrum: beyond picky, fussy, and fads. 2019Devnani P, Hegde A.Autism and sleep disorders. Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. 2015;10(4):304.Sasson NJ, Faso DJ, Nugent J, Lovell S, Kennedy DP, Grossman RB.Neurotypical peers are less willing to interact with those with autism based on thin slice judgments.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):40700. doi:10.1038/srep40700Leadbitter K, Buckle KL, Ellis C, Dekker M.Autistic self-advocacy and the neurodiversity movement: implications for autism early intervention research and practice.Front Psychol. 2021;12:635690. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635690

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Ghanouni P, Quirke S.Resilience and coping strategies in adults with autism spectrum disorder.J Autism Dev Disord. 2022:1–12. doi:10.1007/s10803-022-05436-yHaruvi-Lamdan, N., Horesh, D., & Golan, O. (2018).PTSD and autism spectrum disorder: Co-morbidity, gaps in research, and potential shared mechanisms.Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy,10(3), 290–299. doi:10.1037/tra0000298Lewis LF.Exploring the experience of self-diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adults.Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 2016;30(5):575-580.van Heijst BF, Deserno MK, Rhebergen D, Geurts HM.Autism and depression are connected: A report of two complimentary network studies.Autism. 2020;24(3):680-692.Neumeyer AM, Anixt J, Chan J, et al.Identifying associations among co-occurring medical conditions in children with autism spectrum disorders.Academic Pediatrics. 2019;19(3):300-306.Nimmo-Smith V, Heuvelman H, Dalman C, Lundberg M, Idring S, Carpenter P, Magnusson C, Rai D.Anxiety disorders in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A population-based study.J Autism Dev Disord. 2020;50(1):308-318. doi:10.1007/s10803-019-04234-3Sefen JAN, Al-Salmi S, Shaikh Z, AlMulhem JT, Rajab E, Fredericks S.Beneficial use and potential effectiveness of physical activity in managing autism spectrum disorder.Front Behav Neurosci. 2020;14:587560. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2020.587560Indiana University Bloomington: Indiana Resource Center for Autism.Mealtime and children on the autism spectrum: beyond picky, fussy, and fads. 2019Devnani P, Hegde A.Autism and sleep disorders. Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. 2015;10(4):304.Sasson NJ, Faso DJ, Nugent J, Lovell S, Kennedy DP, Grossman RB.Neurotypical peers are less willing to interact with those with autism based on thin slice judgments.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):40700. doi:10.1038/srep40700Leadbitter K, Buckle KL, Ellis C, Dekker M.Autistic self-advocacy and the neurodiversity movement: implications for autism early intervention research and practice.Front Psychol. 2021;12:635690. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635690

Ghanouni P, Quirke S.Resilience and coping strategies in adults with autism spectrum disorder.J Autism Dev Disord. 2022:1–12. doi:10.1007/s10803-022-05436-y

Haruvi-Lamdan, N., Horesh, D., & Golan, O. (2018).PTSD and autism spectrum disorder: Co-morbidity, gaps in research, and potential shared mechanisms.Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy,10(3), 290–299. doi:10.1037/tra0000298

Lewis LF.Exploring the experience of self-diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adults.Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 2016;30(5):575-580.

van Heijst BF, Deserno MK, Rhebergen D, Geurts HM.Autism and depression are connected: A report of two complimentary network studies.Autism. 2020;24(3):680-692.

Neumeyer AM, Anixt J, Chan J, et al.Identifying associations among co-occurring medical conditions in children with autism spectrum disorders.Academic Pediatrics. 2019;19(3):300-306.

Nimmo-Smith V, Heuvelman H, Dalman C, Lundberg M, Idring S, Carpenter P, Magnusson C, Rai D.Anxiety disorders in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A population-based study.J Autism Dev Disord. 2020;50(1):308-318. doi:10.1007/s10803-019-04234-3

Sefen JAN, Al-Salmi S, Shaikh Z, AlMulhem JT, Rajab E, Fredericks S.Beneficial use and potential effectiveness of physical activity in managing autism spectrum disorder.Front Behav Neurosci. 2020;14:587560. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2020.587560

Indiana University Bloomington: Indiana Resource Center for Autism.Mealtime and children on the autism spectrum: beyond picky, fussy, and fads. 2019

Devnani P, Hegde A.Autism and sleep disorders. Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. 2015;10(4):304.

Sasson NJ, Faso DJ, Nugent J, Lovell S, Kennedy DP, Grossman RB.Neurotypical peers are less willing to interact with those with autism based on thin slice judgments.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):40700. doi:10.1038/srep40700

Leadbitter K, Buckle KL, Ellis C, Dekker M.Autistic self-advocacy and the neurodiversity movement: implications for autism early intervention research and practice.Front Psychol. 2021;12:635690. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635690

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