Understanding Autism Resources: Insights, Information, and Support

Autism diagnoses have increased by about 300% over the past 20 years, along with a rise in more widespread understanding about this neurological condition. While the phrase “knowledge is power” comes to mind, the more we understand autism, the more questions about its origins and causes inevitably arise.

‍

When I received my daughter’s autism diagnosis, part of me was relieved. My suspicions had been confirmed, and we could now obtain much-needed accommodations. At the same time, countless questions were spilling out of my brain as quickly as I could form them.

‍

• “Did I do something unhealthy in my pregnancy?” (Answer: No)
• “Is there a connection between my neurodivergent brother and my husband’s autistic nephew? (Answer: Probably)
• “How did our genetics play a role in my daughter’s diagnosis?” (Answer: It’s complicated; more importantly, no one is to blame, and no one gene is responsible)
• “Is there an autism cure?” (Answer: No, because autism is not a disease and doesn’t need to be “fixed”)

‍

The truth is, there remains a lot of confusion around the causes of autism—specifically on the subject of genetics—even though we know so much more about this condition now than we did only a decade or two ago. 

‍

Still, everyone deserves to understand why they are the way they are, without fear, guilt, or shame. Our goal with this article is to help you understand the relationship between autism and genetics, as well as to clarify common misconceptions about genetic inheritance, the process by which DNA is passed down from parents to children.

‍

But above all, we’re here to remind you that humans, whether neurotypical or neurodivergent, are so much more than their genetic makeup. 

As our understanding of the autism spectrum evolves, so does the language associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). And that language matters. 
‍

Right before my daughter was diagnosed with ASD, I felt like everyone around me was using the phrase “high-functioning autism” to describe her relatively moderate support needs. It also seemed to confirm why it took several years to receive an autism diagnosis at all. I soon learned, however, that describing someone with “high-functioning autism” was not only incorrect but harmful. 
‍

For starters, “high-functioning autism” isn’t even a clinical diagnosis, though the term is pervasive enough that some people may mistake it for one.  

‍

What the best-intentioned people usually mean when they say “high-functioning” is Level 1 or low support needs, which often refers to someone who needs circumstantial support with social communication and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior and interests (RRB).

‍

Specifically, that can mean help with managing the need for sameness, recognizing neurotypical social functioning and cues, and managing sensory sensitivities. Autistic people who are Level 1 may also engage in masking, which can make someone seem to have fewer support needs than what is actually sustainable.
‍

Nasiyah Isra-Ul (they/she) is an autistic professional and disability advocate who believes that the once-prevalent “high-functioning autism” label prevented them from receiving the support they needed throughout their childhood and young adulthood. It could also explain why they received a late autism diagnosis as an adult.
‍

If you’re curious about signs of high-functioning autism in adults, you’re in the right place! But we won’t be using that problematic term, and neither should you. In this article, we’ll explain why the term is outdated, what people actually mean by it, and what the most common autistic traits look like for adults with Level 1 autism support needs or who mask heavily.

When you picture someone with autism, there’s a good chance that a child comes to mind. Maybe your nephew or a member of your child’s class is diagnosed, so you’re familiar with some of the behaviors associated with the condition...or at least how they show up in children. But millions of autistic adults exist too, since autism is a distinct neurotype, not something you grow out of. 

‍

However, if the condition wasn’t assessed already in childhood, it can be harder to spot as an adult. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in 45 adults is autistic, and even more are likely undiagnosed. 

‍

Though there are many shared traits between the age groups, autism can present differently in adults than in children, which is something we'll discuss in depth within this article. But fundamentally,  the signs of autism in adults include a range of characteristics like:

• Social interaction and communication differences 
• Self-soothing and self-regulatory behaviors
• Sensory and processing differences
• Special interests and activities
• Emotional regulation and cognitive traits

‍

If you suspect you may be autistic, you likely know the journey toward diagnosis isn’t so straightforward. It can be confusing and frustrating! Especially since no two people with autism are the same, and everyone has their own unique combination of strengths and challenges.

‍

On top of that, many adults tend to mask their autistic behaviors to fit in with their neurotypical peers, oftentimes without even realizing it. Plus, thanks to gender and cultural bias and other stereotypes, countless autistic adults are overlooked due to their more subtle presentation of the condition. 

‍

That’s why Prosper Health is here to provide you with a clear, inclusive, neurodivergent-affirming breakdown of adult autism signs: what they are, why they’re often missed, and what to do if they resonate.