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Prosper Health's Autism Resource Center
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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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What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. This means it’s a developmental disability involving an individual's neurological system. It is not a mental disorder or mental illness. ASD affects how people communicate, behave and process sensory information.
Some people believe that the term "spectrum" means everyone falls somewhere on the spectrum of autism. This is because autistic traits are human traits. Many people do have some features of autism, but this does not mean they have enough features of autism, at a high enough level, to be clinically diagnosed as autistic. In actuality, the term “spectrum” helps to highlight that there are many ways that autism can affect people differently. There’s a wide range of how autism presents in someone’s life. For example, there are some autistic people who need significant support, while others can live more independently. This is why clinicians 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.
The diagnosis “autistic disorder” was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R)––a reference manual for mental health providers—in the late 1980s.
However, the DSM-5, released in 2013, resulted in a major change in language surrounding autism. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is now an overarching diagnosis, encompassing the older diagnoses of Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and autistic disorder.
Increasing awareness and understanding autism
People used to think autism spectrum disorder was rare, but many people are realizing it’s more common than they thought.
The Cleveland Clinic estimates that 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is autistic, and the CDC estimates that 2.21% of U.S. adults are autistic.
However, these percentages may actually be higher due to factors like misdiagnosis, underdiagnosis or late diagnoses. These occurrences are particularly common among certain groups, such as girls and women, people of color and those from marginalized communities.
This doesn’t mean autism is more common now than it used to be. Rather, autism awareness among healthcare providers is higher, especially now that there’s better access to tools and resources for continued learning. The general public knows more about autism, too. These advances help foster better understanding for autistic people as well as their families, friends and communities.
Navigating the Workplace: A Guide for Autistic Adults Seeking Accommodations
In 2017, the CDC released findings where they estimated that 2.21% of adults in the US were autistic. This data is imperfect. First, it’s from 2017. And, secondly, it’s mostly based on childhood diagnoses of autism. But, it gives us a number to start from, showing that adult autism is not absent from most workplaces.
Research also shows that people with autism spectrum disorder are more likely to be underemployed or unemployed than their neurotypical peers. That number may be as high as 85%. This can be due to burnout, inaccessibility, or not having appropriate support and accommodations at work.
Being autistic can make working difficult. Many jobs are incompatible with autism, like working at the customer service desk of a department store. There can be a lot of unpredictability, challenging social interactions, and stress.
Plus, stimming and fidgeting may not be easy to do at work. These coping mechanisms might draw negative attention and are sometimes seen as unprofessional. It is vital for us to be able to engage in these activities, because they can quickly and drastically improve our health and well-being.
But, often, workplaces don’t see the benefits of hiring and working to retain autistic individuals. They don’t know that we’re often more productive than our neurotypical counterparts—or that, many times, a combination of a severe lack of resources and some intolerance lead to us leaving for another position.
Thankfully, employees can take steps to get our needs met by seeking out reasonable accommodations.
Understanding AuDHD: What It Is and How to Get Support
YouTube educator Chris was a child when he was first diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but he didn’t get his autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis until he was in his 40s. Like many people who have recently received this dual diagnosis, he’s only now truly learning what it means to be “AuDHD”. This includes an acute awareness of the tension and overlap of traits and how to manage their impact.
"AuDHD is when somebody has co-occurring diagnoses of both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),” says Jacqueline Shinall, PsyD, Quality Control and Reliability Lead Psychologist at Prosper Health.
And in true neurodivergent fashion, Chris is learning everything he can about the management of AuDHD. As the cofounder of Audicate, an educational vlog about managing Autism and ADHD, he makes popular videos that teach others about what it’s like to live with both disorders.
“AuDHD isn’t a rare overlap—it’s much more common than anyone realized prior to the dual diagnosis,” says Chris. “But diagnostic data is going to take time to catch up to that. And when you don’t know you’re both, you can end up blaming yourself for contradictions: ‘Why do I want change but resist it? Why am I both restless and rigid?’ Understanding both diagnoses brings compassion and clarity.”
As awareness grows and diagnostic criteria evolve, more and more people are being diagnosed with both conditions.
That’s why, if you have been diagnosed with Autism and ADHD, or suspect you might be an AuDHDer it’s essential to understand the overlaps and interactions between the characteristics. Because just as these traits will manifest differently for every autistic and ADHD individual, the same goes for people with AuDHD.
It’s like if you were to give yellow and blue paint to a group of children and tell them to make green—every shade will be different. And your unique shade will inform what level of support you need and the accommodation strategies that will help you thrive.
Whatever stage of your neurodivergent journey you’re at, Prosper Health can help.
Navigating Autism and College: Challenges and Support for Autistic Students
Transitioning to college is a significant life change for all students, but for autistic folks, this transition often presents additional challenges. College life, with its complex academic demands, new social interactions and often overwhelming environments, can be a difficult adjustment for autistic people.
Autistic students may face barriers not only in academics but also in navigating the social, emotional and environmental aspects of campus life. Understanding these challenges and implementing appropriate support is essential to ensure that students can thrive in higher education settings.
What is Identity-First Language, and Why Use It?
Most of us were taught that it is best to use “person-first language” when referring to disabilities. Person-first language intentionally separates a person from the disability, as in saying “person with diabetes” rather than “diabetic person.” This intends to emphasize the individual over their disability, showing that the disability does not define the person. However, not everyone views their disability as something that can, or should, be separated from them.
This is why identity-first language—as in saying “autistic person” rather than “person with autism”—is important to the autistic community. Many autistic people prefer identity-first language because it acknowledges that being autistic is a core part of who they are.
Sensory Overload in Autistic Adults: Why It Happens and How to Cope
For autistic and neurodivergent adults, sensory overload can feel like it hits all at once. Imagine you’re in a crowded restaurant. At first, the talking all around you becomes intrusive, and you can’t concentrate on the person across from you, no matter how hard you try. Then, the repeated sound of clinking of glasses and forks on porcelain intensifies, grating at your nerves, and the smell of perfume on the woman next to you becomes unbearably strong.
Suddenly, you’re in full-body panic mode because this combination of sensory experiences is simply too much. Allistic people can compartmentalize and block out these types of input, but autistic people often cannot.
Sensory processing differences—formerly referred to as a “sensory processing disorder”—are the variations in how the brain receives, interprets, and responds to information gained through your senses from the environment and the body. Autistic people’s sensitivity to stimuli will vary depending on the individual.
Sensory overload, on the other hand, can happen when a neurodivergent person’s brain becomes so overwhelmed by sensory information in an environment (think: sights, sounds, smells, textures) that their body goes into a state of panic and fight or flight mode.
“Sensory overload, or strong sensory input, can often be described as ‘physically painful’ or ‘making my skin crawl’ by autistic adults,” says Jackie Shinall, PsyD, head of reliability and quality assurance at Prosper Health. “For example, they don’t necessarily feel anxious or stressed by the input, but rather uncomfortable overall, especially physically.”
While anyone can experience sensory issues and sensory overload, they are especially common among autistic adults and neurodivergent people more broadly. In fact, a 2021 study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders surveyed autistic adults and found that 93.9% reported being extra sensitive to sensory experiences. Autism and sensory overload often go hand-in-hand.
If you have questions about sensory overload in autistic adults, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we'll cover what sensory overload is, why it happens, what it feels like, and how to prevent and recover from it.
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