Prosper Health's Autism Resource Center

For many people, fully understanding an autism diagnosis means unpacking their relationship to trauma. This was true for me after I was diagnosed with both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) in my late twenties. 

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Many autistic people experience trauma, which can affect them in distinct ways compared to neurotypical peers. For these individuals, digging into the relationship between autism and trauma can make a profound difference in regulating their nervous systems and improving their mental health. For me, my autism and CPTSD diagnoses have been equally revelatory and often intertwined. Exploring the relationship between the two has helped me better understand myself and tangibly improve my quality of life. 

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Read on to learn about the link between autism and trauma-related disorders, as well as how to cope.

Does the thought of day-to-day chores make you feel paralyzed? Does your phone pile up with unread emails and unanswered texts you can’t make yourself respond to? There are many reasons why people might struggle to meet the demands of daily living, but for those who identify with the experiences associated with pathological demand avoidance, all demands can feel oppressive and anxiety-inducing.

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Sometimes called pervasive drive for autonomy, PDA is a behavioral profile most commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). PDA is said to be different from simply disliking certain tasks or being asked to do something. It’s natural for people to put off or avoid certain demands—however, some individuals experience a more intense and pervasive drive for agency and resistance to demands, which can impact their daily lives and mental health.

PDA was first proposed as a unique subtype of autism spectrum disorder, but is now most often understood as a possible profile of autism, meaning a pattern of behaviors and traits present in some autistic people. To date, researchers have yet to reach a consensus on how to categorize PDA or on its definition, characteristics and support strategies. PDA advocacy, however, has grown as a field, and advocates have advanced many recommendations for support based on PDA individuals’ lived experiences. 

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If the proposed PDA autism behavioral profile resonates with you, read on for tips to manage it.

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) teaches practical tools for managing emotions and coping with distress. While it was originally developed to help those with borderline personality disorder (BPD), people who are neurodivergent or dealing with many mental health conditions can find DBT-based tools helpful.

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For many adults with autism spectrum disorder, the DBT skill “ACCEPTS” is helpful during moments of sensory overload, executive functioning fatigue or emotional dysregulation. It offers simple ways to shift focus and make space to regulate before taking action.

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Let’s take a closer look at what each part of ACCEPTS means and how you can make it work for you.

It’s normal to feel anxious sometimes—but what if anxiety gets in the way of your day-to-day life? For nearly half of autistic people, severe anxiety disorders are a reality. Anxiety disorders come with psychological and physical symptoms that can be distressing and even make it difficult to function every day. For an autistic person, they can make common stressors like sensory and social stress even harder to manage. Understanding the relationship between autism and anxiety can help an autistic adult better understand themself and get support that makes a difference.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by communication and social differences, strict adherence to routine and intense, narrow interests. No two autistic individuals are exactly alike, and autistic traits and severity vary from person to person. 

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Diagnosis of ASD is clinical, based on standardized criteria that require persistent differences in social communication and at least two types of restricted behaviors. No blood test or neurological imaging can detect or diagnose autism. Instead, developmental history and behavioral observations are part of the assessment. 

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ASD is usually identified in early childhood, but many autistic individuals aren’t diagnosed until adulthood. This doesn’t mean that autistic traits weren’t present during their childhood. Rather, it means they didn’t have access to the appropriate diagnostic care or didn’t fit in with outdated stereotypes of autistic behavior. 

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As our understanding of autism spectrum disorder changes and deepens, practitioners are getting better at accurately diagnosing those who would’ve previously gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in the past. As both knowledge and diagnostic criteria expand, the number of autistic individuals in the world naturally increases.

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This increase has led to renewed conversations around autism. What causes it? Why is everyone autistic all of a sudden? How can we prevent it? (Although prevention should never be the goal.) 

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But, perhaps we’re asking the wrong questions. Maybe we should start here instead: Is there actually a rise in autism?

Eating is a routine activity for most people, but for autistic individuals, it can be deeply tied to sensory experiences, autonomy and emotional well-being. Autistic people commonly face food-related challenges including sensory sensitivities, interoception differences and restricted diets.

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Rather than focusing on compliance or normalizing food habits, supporting autistic people means respecting their individual relationships with food, embracing sensory needs and upholding autonomy. At the same time, it is important to consider any physical health impacts of dietary differences and discuss these with your physician in order to make an informed decision about whether you want to consider changes in order to maintain your health or prevent future health problems. You should always involve a doctor or nutritionist in any plans to make significant dietary changes, and any tips provided below have not been reviewed by a physician and are not intended to serve as medical advice.

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Read on for affirming support strategies rooted in respect and self-understanding.