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Prosper Health's Autism Resource Center
Featured Article
Neurodivergent vs. Autism: Understanding the Relationship and When to Seek Evaluation
“Neurodivergent” and “autistic” often get swapped for one another, in social captions, casual conversations, and sometimes even in settings where you might think people would know better.
Using the terms loosely isn't always a big deal. But it can matter more when you’re trying to figure out what these terms mean for you, especially if you’re wondering whether you might be autistic.
This is because the two terms really aren’t interchangeable, even though the mix-up can be common. Here’s how “neurodivergent” and “autism” relate, why the confusion happens in the first place, and what a next step might look like if you're seeking diagnosis.
Does Autism Qualify for Disability Benefits? A Practical Guide for Autistic Adults
If you've recently done an online search for the term “autism disability benefits”, you probably walked away with more questions than answers. Unfortunately, this happens because the search phrase “autism disability benefits” covers a very broad spectrum, and the resources your results pulled up may not even apply to your personal situation.
For example, one of the first results that usually comes up using this search term (as well as “Do you get disability for autism?”) is the Social Security Administration’s page for benefits for children with disabilities.
But if you made it to this page, you’re actually on the right path: “Autism disability benefits” almost always means Social Security. Yes, other types of government assistance exist, and we will cover those options, but let’s examine your potential Social Security benefits first.
After reading this article, you will understand how, as an autistic person, you may qualify for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). We’ll also explore which pathway most likely fits your situation, what strengthens an application, what to expect if you are denied, and whether you can keep working while receiving support.
Autistic Burnout vs. Depression: How to Tell the Difference and When to Get Assessed
Profound exhaustion is impossible to ignore, even when you can’t even muster up the energy to take care of yourself. What’s even scarier is that sometimes, it’s equally impossible to figure out the root of this fatigue, because it’s a common symptom of both depression and autistic burnout.
If you’re currently navigating the confusing world of autistic burnout vs. depression — whether you just learned the term “autistic burnout” or are in the midst of self-reflection — you’re in the right place. Especially considering both conditions can co-occur.
After reading this article, you will have more clarity between autistic burnout and depression, know what to do if you think you have both conditions, and understand what a professional assessment involves.
Social Cues and Autism: Why the "Missed Signals" Narrative Gets It Wrong
Consider this: a coworker asks you to complete a task, “whenever you get the chance,” and you take it at face value. Two days later, you find out the request was urgent, and your coworker assumed their tone made that obvious. Or another example: you're mid-conversation with a friend, and something in their face shifts. You notice it, and you're also tracking their tone, their words, and your own response, all at once. By the time it's processed, the moment to say something has passed.
If either scene felt familiar, you’ve probably been told that you missed something obvious. Maybe you’ve been called hard to read, rude, oblivious, cold, or “bad at people.” But inside, you know that’s not really what happened.
These messages put the entire problem on one person in a conversation between two people. This article looks at autism and social cues, including why social cues can be harder to read for some autistic adults, why misunderstanding is often mutual, and what can help in situations where it matters most.
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Navigating Autism: Essential Reads for Understanding and Supporting Adults on the Spectrum
Receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult is often the culmination of years of wondering and researching. For others, a diagnosis is just the beginning.
There’s an almost insurmountable amount of information to sort through for autistic adults, adults who suspect they’re autistic or loved ones of a newly diagnosed adult.
You might have a lot of questions: What exactly is autism spectrum disorder? How do I support myself through this diagnosis? How can I best support my loved one?
No matter what answers you’re searching for, there are plenty of wonderful books about autism to help you on your journey to understand autism and everything that comes along with it.
Embracing Autism Acceptance Month: Moving Beyond Awareness to Inclusion and Understanding
April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to champion autistic voices and to embrace the strengths and diversity of the autistic community.
Originally, Autism Acceptance Month was known as Autism Awareness Month. It was first conceived by psychologist Dr. Bernard Rimland in 1970, and then officially designated as a national awareness month in April, 1988.
In 2011, however, the Autism Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), in collaboration with the autistic community, began commemorating Autism Acceptance Month instead of Autism Awareness Month. Autism Awareness Month focused more on the condition’s deficits, or even as something to be “fixed,” but Autism Acceptance Month proudly emphasized autism as an identity.
As someone with an autistic daughter, I’ve seen the benefits of an “acceptance” approach firsthand, rather than approaches that minimize her neurodivergent traits. She thrives in inclusive environments where her self-stimulatory behavior (or “stimming”) is welcomed.
“Acceptance shifts the default from ‘the autistic person should adapt’ to ‘the people and systems around them share the work of making life accessible,’” explains Marie Masse, who identifies as autistic.
This article will cover what Autism Acceptance Month is and provide clarity around why it was changed from Autism Awareness Month. We’ll also delve into, with the help of several autistic voices, what acceptance actually means in daily life, and how to embrace and encourage real inclusion every month of the year.
Autism and Depression
Depression is one of the most common diagnoses to co-occur with autism spectrum disorder. As many as 40% of autistic individuals will have depression at some point during their lives. Researchers don’t have a definitive answer as to why––but many believe social stigma, mistreatment and insufficient support have to do with it.
Understanding the link between autism and depression can go a long way toward helping autistic individuals manage, or even move past, depression.
Mindfulness Practices for Autistic Adults: Enhancing Daily Life and Emotional Health
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and engaged with your thoughts, emotions and surroundings without judgment. For adults with autism spectrum disorder, mindfulness is a valuable tool for managing sensory overload, emotional regulation and stress. While mindfulness is often associated with a meditation practice, it doesn’t have to mean sitting in silence. The beauty of mindfulness is that it can be adapted to fit personal needs.
Autistic individuals often experience heightened sensory processing and deep focus on special interests, which can make mindfulness particularly beneficial but also challenging. Traditional mindfulness training that emphasizes bodily awareness or emotional exploration may not always be accessible due to alexithymia or co-occurring conditions. When adapted to suit neurodivergent needs, though, mindfulness can provide a structured way to manage anxiety, process emotions and create moments of calm.
Rather than prioritizing detachment, autistic-friendly mindfulness embraces deep focus, structured repetition and sensory engagement. Whether through stimming, mindful movement or focusing on sensory experiences, mindfulness is a powerful tool for self-care.
The key is finding what works best for you. After all, practicing mindfulness isn’t about changing who you are—it’s about creating space to feel grounded and present in a way that supports your autistic experience.
The Best Places to Live with Autism
Finding the right city to live in is a lofty task for everyone, especially autistic individuals. When considering where to plant roots, Autistic adults may want to consider things like extensive public transportation, inclusive communities, sensory-friendly environments and robust support networks. They should also think about proximity to family and friends, as well as consider any potential difficulties in coping with change before making a big move.
Thanks to inclusivity, public transportation, and advocacy groups, here are our picks for the best places for adults with autism spectrum disorder to call home.
Can Autism Be Cured? Why Acceptance Matters More
Autism is a natural variation in human neurodevelopment. Those on the autism spectrum often have unique ways of thinking, learning and interacting with the world. Autistic peoples’ brains are essentially wired differently––and many people want to find the cause of these differences and remove them. In fact, most money going toward autism research is going toward researching the treatment and prevention of autism.
However, studying the causes of autism with the intention of curing it is a controversial topic. Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that cannot––and many argue, should not––be “cured.”
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