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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
Many autistic people experience relationship challenges—whether they’re romantic or platonic—in environments shaped around non-autistic social norms. Some unwritten rules and behaviors don’t necessarily come naturally to neurodivergent people.
Christal Castagnozzi, a clinical and school psychologist who received a late autism diagnosis, says that while she had friends growing up, there was an “underlying sense of being misunderstood.” She feels she “struggled to access deeper, more meaningful connections,” and ultimately believed she didn’t belong, even when her friends included her in their social activities.
Even in romantic relationships, Castagnozzi says she had difficulty “interpreting cues, flirting, [her partner’s] intentions, and emotional subtext.”
If any of these experiences sound familiar, you are not alone. But more importantly, the challenges of autism and relationships are not a personal failing. They are often due to differences in communication style, sensory processing, social expectations, and mutual misunderstanding between autistic and non-autistic people. Castagnozzi says what made a difference for her was forming relationships with neurodivergent individuals who provided “less pressure to mask and more space for directness and authenticity.”
In this article, we’ll examine how autism shapes all kinds of relationships, the roots of certain challenges, and practical strategies for effectively navigating relationships.
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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Supporting Autistic People’s Unique Relationships with Food: Honoring Autonomy, Sensory Needs and Nourishment
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.
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.
Read on for affirming support strategies rooted in respect and self-understanding.
Navigating Friendship on the Autism Spectrum: Strategies for Success
Making friends while having autism spectrum disorder can feel complicated, exhausting or even discouraging—especially when social rules seem unclear or your way of connecting doesn’t always match what others expect. Many autistic people grow up being told they’re “too much,” “too quiet” or “too blunt,” which can make reaching out feel risky. You might have been burned before or feel unsure about how to move from casual interactions to deeper connections.
But friendship doesn’t have to follow a neurotypical script to be meaningful. When you understand your own social needs, boundaries and communication style, it becomes easier to build relationships that feel safe and authentic. While every person’s experience is different, there are some common challenges autistic individuals can face when it comes to friendship. Thankfully, there are also practical, affirming strategies for forming connections in ways that honor who you are.
Whether you’re looking to make one solid friend or expand your community a little at a time, friendship is possible—and you deserve it.
Navigating Autism and Gender Dysphoria: A Journey Towards Identity and Acceptance
For many people living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), exploring gender identity can feel especially complex. Research and community experience consistently show that autistic individuals are more likely to identify as transgender, nonbinary or outside the traditional gender binary than the general population.
That doesn’t mean being autistic causes someone to be transgender or vice versa. Instead, this should be a wake-up call to understanding how neurodivergence can shape people's experience and expression. For example, this can lead to an autistic person questioning social norms more often and feeling less pressure to conform to the traditional gender role for their assigned gender or sex.
Understanding this intersection is crucial. Gender dysphoria is often just one part of a broader autistic identity that deserves affirmation, respect and support. Recognizing how autism and gender diversity interact helps reduce stigma, improve mental health outcomes and empower autistic individuals to live more fully as their authentic selves.
What Are the Best Jobs for Autistic People? A Guide to Supportive Work Environments
Finding a job isn’t easy for anyone in today’s economy, but it can be especially challenging if you're an autistic adult. Many jobs demand constant masking, sensory tolerance, and unspoken rules that can be very hard to sustain long-term. Studies suggest that nearly 40% of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed in general.
That said, if you’re autistic and hunting for a job, or helping an autistic loved one in their job search, you have good reason to stay optimistic! Autistic brains are uniquely suited to thrive in all kinds of employment settings; you just need to know what to look for. Work environment is also especially important because adequate accommodations can make or break the sustainability of a role. It’s all about finding where you fit in and feel supported.
Because everyone can use help navigating their job search, we’ve put together this guide of autism-friendly jobs and other supports that are available to autistic adults.
How to Find the Right Therapist for Autistic Adults: A Practical, Affirming Guide
For over a decade, Ana David has had a therapist who truly sees, understands, and cares for her. But even she can attest to the difficulty of finding a therapist for autistic adults. Before she found her current therapist, David had several traumatic experiences in the healthcare system.
Unfortunately, David’s story is all too common. Many autistic people have had negative experiences in therapy. If this is true for you, you’re not the problem. Typically, the real issue is a mismatch in therapeutic approach.
The effectiveness of therapy for autistic adults depends heavily on the therapeutic relationship, says Dr. Kelly Whaling, Research Lead and Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Prosper Health. It also depends on whether therapy is adapted to your personal support needs. These may be quite different from those of people whose cognitive function aligns with social norms (also known as neurotypicals). That’s why autism affirming therapy is so important.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to find a therapist who truly supports you on your terms, so that you can be partners on your journey toward better mental health.
How to Regulate Your Nervous System: A Guide for Autistic Adults
For me, nervous system dysregulation begins at the center of my body: a quaking, liquid feeling that leaves me unsettled. I have episodes of verbal shutdown, and may engage more in stimming: rocking back and forth, humming to myself, and bouts of anger that have no outlet. It’s in times like these that I try and re-center myself through deep breathing, reducing sensory input, and leaning on my support systems.
Autistic people often experience heightened nervous system responses, which can lead to dysregulation, especially in overwhelming environments. This can lead to chronic stress, shutdowns, meltdowns, and sensory overwhelm. Addressing dysregulation can improve quality of life, positively impacting physical health, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and mental health over all.
In this article, we’ll discuss tools to help autistic adults shift out of dysregulation and offer strategy suggestions to become more regulated and maintain equilibrium. However, as always, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new therapeutic techniques.
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