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Prosper Health's Autism Resource Center
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Special Interests and Autism
Most autistic individuals have one or more special interests. A special interest is an intense fixation that far exceeds a typical hobby or passion. An autistic person will typically have the desire to devote large portions of their time, and sometimes large portions of their money, to their special interests. Neurotypical people can and do experience fixations or passions, but having a special interest is a trait strongly associated with autism.
Here’s what you need to know about special interests, how they manifest, the benefits of encouraging them, and more.
What Are Signs of Autism in Adults? A Guide to Autistic Traits and Self-Discovery
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.
Understanding Autism and Relationships: Navigating Love, Family and Friendship
Autism can shape how individuals experience relationships, bringing unique strengths like honesty, loyalty, and focus. However, autism also creates challenges related to interpreting social cues or expressing emotions. These differences can easily lead to misunderstandings.
Autistic people thrive in relationships with clear communication and mutual understanding. For instance, they may prefer direct communication or need time to recharge after sensory overload. When these needs are respected, it fosters trust and support.
Autism Support Needs, Not Labels: A Guide to “Levels”
As an adult diagnosed first with autism as a child and again as an adult, I have witnessed firsthand the change in the way the DSM, or The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, has changed to affirm autistic people. In 2013, the DSM updated its resources with an eye to supportive care.
Rather than labeling autistic people with misleading descriptors like high-functioning, low-functioning, or others, experts now categorize autistic individuals based on levels (one, two, or three). These levels indicate varying degrees of support needs, which are often fluid and can change over time.
Mental health professionals and patients can now navigate autism support without labels, a notable step forward in recognizing the individuality of care.
This DSM change also did away with the term pervasive developmental disorder, which encompassed disorders such as Aspergers and child disintegrative disorder. Instead, they were replaced by autism spectrum levels.
Kaila Hattis, MA, LMFT, founder and therapist of Pacific Coast Therapy, explains, “The change focuses less on what someone has to more on what someone needs, and changes the way families access services and disperse information on what their loved one needs."
While these three levels of autism don’t capture the full picture of autism spectrum disorder, they’re a move in the right direction to fuller, more nuanced autism treatment.
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Navigating Love: A Guide to Dating Someone with Autism
Romantic relationships are complex and deeply rewarding, offering connection, intimacy and growth. When autism is part of the dynamic, relationships bring unique opportunities to explore love through the lens of neurodiversity.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) influences how people process the world, communicate, and connect with others. Understanding autism is essential for a healthy relationship. Awareness of neurodivergence can help partners move beyond stereotypes and build relationships rooted in acceptance and authenticity. When partners take time to understand autism, they’re better equipped to create a supportive, inclusive space.
Dating someone with autism means celebrating a relationship shaped by honesty, loyalty and unique ways of connecting. It also requires both partners to understand the impact of autism on their relationship and to foster mutual respect and empathy.
Read on to learn about challenges you may face dating an autistic partner, the perks of dating someone who’s autistic, how to make your relationship thrive and more.
Social Anxiety vs Autism: Understanding the Differences and Overlaps
The major difference between social anxiety and autism is how they are classified; autism is considered a neurodevelopmental condition, while social anxiety is a mental health condition. Despite this, the two diagnoses share a number of similarities. Autistic individuals and people with social anxiety communicate and experience social situations differently than others. While they have many overlapping traits, social anxiety and autism are ultimately very different. Individuals with either diagnosis can benefit greatly from supports like psychotherapy and, for some, medication. A mental health professional must determine whether an individual is autistic, has social anxiety or both to provide truly tailored and holistic support.
BPD vs Autism: Understanding the Differences and Similarities
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) differ primarily in their classification—autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, and BPD is a personality disorder. They also diverge in several traits, though they share a number of surface similarities such as different ways of relating to other people. Both diagnoses are commonly misunderstood, making it important to distinguish between them to ensure autistic individuals and people with BPD receive meaningfully tailored support. Autism and BPD seem to co-occur at somewhat higher rates than other groups—although more research is required to determine how commonly they overlap—and individuals with either diagnosis can also benefit greatly from understanding the traits of each diagnosis.
Pathological Demand Avoidance: Understanding PDA and its Relationship to Autism
Do you feel frozen whenever you feel like you should be doing something? Do the demands of day-to-day tasks make you feel like the walls are closing in? If demands cause you severe anxiety that gets in the way of completing daily activities, you might be experiencing demand avoidance. Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is most commonly connected to autism, contributing to the great diversity of the autism spectrum. However, allistic (non-autistic) individuals can also align with a PDA profile. PDA can have significant impacts on a person’s life, but broader social awareness of PDA is still limited. Many support strategies, including neurodiversity-affirming therapy, can help PDA individuals manage demands and move through life with less anxiety.
Creating Inclusive Work Environments: Autism in The Workplace
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how individuals perceive, interact with and respond to the world around them. It manifests uniquely in every person. For many autistic adults, autism impacts communication, social interaction, sensory experiences and thinking patterns. These traits can shape how autistic individuals engage in the workplace, presenting both challenges and exceptional strengths.
In professional settings, autistic individuals may face barriers such as difficulties with navigating unspoken workplace norms, sensory sensitivities or challenges with executive functioning tasks like time management and prioritization. However, these same individuals often bring remarkable skills and fresh perspectives to their roles. Common strengths include attention to detail, creative problem-solving, deep focus and innovative thinking. Recognizing and valuing these contributions is key to fostering a workplace where neurodiverse employees can thrive.
Discussing autism in the workplace is crucial not only for supporting autistic employees but also for cultivating a more inclusive work culture. Embracing neurodiversity helps organizations challenge traditional ways of thinking, opening the door to fresh approaches and solutions. Moreover, creating an environment where autistic employees feel seen, heard and accommodated benefits everyone—encouraging more collaboration, understanding and productivity.
Common misconceptions about autistic employees
Misunderstandings about autism often lead to stereotypes that unfairly marginalize autistic workers. Some common myths include:
“Autistic people lack empathy.”
This myth stems from a misunderstanding of how autistic individuals process and express empathy. While autistic employees may approach emotional dynamics differently, this doesn’t mean they lack empathy. Many autistic individuals express empathy differently than their neurotypical peers; for example, they may express their empathy through practical support, thoughtful actions, or a commitment to fairness and honesty. Employers who make space for diverse ways of connecting can uncover meaningful contributions to team morale and collaboration.
“Autism only means deficits.”
Autism is frequently discussed in terms of challenges, such as difficulties with social situations or sensory sensitivities. However, this narrow perspective overlooks the significant strengths that many autistic employees bring to the workplace. These strengths include exceptional problem-solving skills, creative thinking, attention to detail and the ability to hyperfocus on complex or repetitive tasks. By recognizing these attributes, employers can not only empower autistic employees but also gain a competitive edge by leveraging their unique talents.
“Autistic employees can’t handle teamwork.”
This misconception arises from the idea that autistic individuals struggle with collaboration. In reality, many autistic employees excel in structured, communicative team environments. Teams that establish clear expectations, assign defined roles and use straightforward communication strategies create a space where autistic workers can thrive. Moreover, their perspectives often enhance teamwork, offering new ideas or identifying potential issues others might overlook.
These myths highlight the importance of understanding autism beyond stereotypes. Employers who challenge these misconceptions and embrace neurodiversity can create workplaces that not only support autistic employees but also benefit from their unique contributions. By fostering a culture of inclusion and adaptability, businesses can tap into the strengths of all their employees, creating a richer and more innovative workforce.
Challenges in workplace relationships
Navigating workplace relationships can be particularly challenging for autistic adults due to differences in communication styles, social expectations and sensory sensitivities. These challenges can impact interactions with colleagues, supervisors and clients, often leading to misunderstandings or feelings of isolation.
Communication barriers
Many workplace environments rely heavily on unwritten social norms and nonverbal communication, which can be difficult for autistic individuals to interpret. For example, understanding office humor, gauging the tone of an email or recognizing when a coworker wants to end a conversation can pose challenges. Autistic employees may be perceived as overly direct or aloof, which can lead to misconceptions about their intentions or professionalism. Autistic individuals can also be misinterpreted as rude in the workplace because they don’t go out of their way to make small talk.
Difficulty making connections
Socializing with colleagues during breaks or after-work events can feel unnatural or exhausting for many autistic adults, especially those who experience social anxiety or find group dynamics overwhelming. Struggles with small talk or team-building activities may make it harder to form connections, potentially leading to feelings of exclusion or misunderstanding.
Navigating hierarchies
Interacting with supervisors or managers adds complexity, particularly in workplaces with unspoken rules about authority and decision-making. Autistic employees may have difficulty identifying implicit expectations or managing hierarchical dynamics. For example, they might not know when to advocate for themselves versus when to seek guidance, which can affect performance reviews and opportunities for advancement.
Sensory and emotional regulation
Noisy offices, strong lighting or tense workplace conflicts can heighten sensory overwhelm and emotional stress, making it harder for autistic individuals to focus and engage productively. These stressors can exacerbate challenges in maintaining healthy workplace interactions.
How to Deal with Autism Anger in Adults: Effective Strategies and Techniques
Everyone experiences anger from time to time. For autistic individuals, anger can be more complex than for their neurotypical peers. Autism anger is often misunderstood or pathologized, which can lead to increased frustration for both the autistic person and those around them. Feeling misunderstood or judged makes anger management even more difficult than it already is.
To ease the added difficulties around autistic anger, it’s important to understand its causes, employ effective coping strategies and improve communication skills. Autistic individuals and their support networks can work together to build a toolkit for anger management.
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