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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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Understanding Autism in Adult Women: Why It’s Often Missed and What It Really Looks Like
When I was a little girl in the early 2000s, autism was seen as a disorder that only boys had. My evaluators misdiagnosed my autism as ADHD, and mistreated my symptoms (my stims, masking, and social anxiety). Luckily, awareness around the rainbow of autistic presentations is growing, and things are starting to change. As an AFAB person who now identifies as non-binary, I was able to seek re-diagnosis and affirmation that I'm autistic—something I suspected for the majority of my life.
According to a recent study published in JAMA, autism diagnosis is increasing fastest among women between the ages of 26 and 34. And among those, women sought diagnosis a whopping 3 times more than men. This comes as no surprise, as autism is actually underdiagnosed in women because of biases in testing. The research behind these tests predominantly focused on the experiences of men and boys, so clinicians have trouble catching the varied autistic traits in women and AFAB folks.
This article will focus mainly on the experience of autistic adult women because the medical research is only just starting to catch up with AFAB experience. However, it’s worth noting the ways autism presents in nonbinary people.
Transgender and nonbinary people are around five times more likely to be autistic compared to cisgender people. The Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network’s website is a good place to start if you’d like to find autistic nonbinary people writing about their experiences.
Autism manifests in very specific ways in adult women that have been ignored until now. If you’re a woman or AFAB person wondering if you might be autistic, support is available. Read on to learn more.
Navigating Love: A Guide to Dating Someone with Autism
Relationships are complex and often rewarding, offering connection, intimacy, and growth. This can be doubly true when you’re dating someone with autism.
If you’re neurotypical, you might notice that an autistic partner needs more alone time or is especially sensitive to sensory stimuli. To be clear, these traits aren’t exclusive to autistic individuals, nor are they universal among them. However, there are a couple of common examples of how autistic people often differ from neurotypical partners.
When present, these patterns reflect differences in how autistic people process information, communicate, and experience the world. It might take time to understand these differences, but unique cognitive profiles can add new and exciting dynamics to a relationship.
Communication and processing differences are core aspects of autism, so “navigating them is inevitably going to be a central part of the relationship,” says Dr. Kelly Whaling, Research Lead and Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Prosper Health.
A healthy relationship is rooted in honest communication, mutual understanding, and accommodation. That said, it’s common for people to misread autistic individuals’ behaviors through the lens of neurotypical norms.
So, in this article, we’ll discuss what to know about autism and romance, how factors like masking and social overwhelm impact relationships, and the perks of dating someone autistic. We'll also discuss what healthy support and mutual adaptation can look like, and the difference between processing differences and incompatibility.
Social Anxiety vs. Autism: Understanding the Differences and Overlap
Like many undiagnosed autistic people, Chelsey Flood spent most of her life feeling “different” and not knowing why. Other people picked up on it, too. She developed terrible social anxiety, constantly questioning whether or not she was coming across as “normal.”
When Flood received a late autism diagnosis, the pieces started coming together. “I began to better understand why social interactions sometimes felt so challenging,” she says.
Flood’s experience is a common one that pops up often in the discussion of social anxiety vs autism. Many autistic people have social anxiety disorder at some point, notes Dr. Jacqueline Shinall, PsyD, a clinical psychologist with Prosper Health.
With that said, not everyone who has one of these conditions necessarily has the other. The signs of autism and social anxiety can look similar on the surface, but they have different causes. Social anxiety is driven by fear of negative judgment or perception from others, while autism involves innate differences in behavior and communication.
Some people are misdiagnosed with one condition, when really, they have the other. Knowing whether you have social anxiety, autism, neither, or both is crucial to getting the support you need. Only a licensed mental health professional can help you determine which is the case for you.
In the meantime, we’ll explore the difference between social anxiety and autism, the overlap between the two, how clinicians tell them apart, and the supports available for both.
BPD vs. Autism: How Are They Different, and Can You Have Both?
Maybe you’ve been told you're “too sensitive.” Or “too rigid.” Or that you overreact to things other people brush off. Somewhere along the way, you might have even been handed a label, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and it explained some of what you were going through, but not all of it.
Autism and borderline personality disorder (BPD) can look similar from the outside. Both can involve intense emotions, relationship difficulties, and reactions that may seem confusing to other people. But they have different underlying causes, and telling them apart matters. If autism is mistaken for BPD, you may end up getting support that doesn’t address what’s actually going on.
According to the CDC, autism is a neurodevelopmental condition present from early childhood. BPD is a personality disorder that tends to develop later, usually in adolescence through early adulthood, according to a clinical review of BPD. The two conditions have different origins, but some of their day-to-day symptoms can look similar. Understanding those differences can help you find support that actually fits your experience.
This article covers what autism and BPD have in common, why the two can get confused, whether you can have both at once, and what support looks like.
What Is Pathological Demand Avoidance? A Guide to PDA for Autistic Adults
Picture this: you come home from a long day at work, and become frozen by even the idea of cooking dinner, or cleaning up your home, or taking a shower. You know you have to be doing something, but even thinking about another task ratchets up your anxiety to the point you feel like you can’t function. If this sounds like something you’re dealing with, you aren’t alone: you might be experiencing demand avoidance.
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a behavioral profile most often connected to autism, where demands trigger an intense need to resist or avoid. This can happen for different reasons: sometimes demands become genuinely overwhelming (like eating, sleeping, showering, or even turning off the lights), leading to freezing up or distress. But demands can trigger avoidance even when they're not overwhelming because they threaten autonomy or control.
While PDA isn't a formal diagnosis, it's recognized as part of a constellation of behaviors often associated with autism or other neurodevelopmental profiles like ADHD.
Other more affirming names for PDA have been suggested, such as Persistent Drive for Autonomy, Extreme Demand Avoidance (EDA), and Rational Demand Avoidance (RDA). However, for the purposes of this article, it will be referred to as Pathological Demand Avoidance, as this is the most common term in the US.
Read on to learn what PDA is, what it feels like, and why it’s often misunderstood.
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.
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