.webp)
Prosper Health's Autism Resource Center
Featured Article
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
Autism can shape how individuals experience relationships, bringing unique strengths like honesty, loyalty, and focus. However, autism also creates challenges related to interpreting social cues or expressing emotions. These differences can easily lead to misunderstandings.
Autistic people thrive in relationships with clear communication and mutual understanding. For instance, they may prefer direct communication or need time to recharge after sensory overload. When these needs are respected, it fosters trust and support.
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.
All Posts
Search results for Title
Search results for Text
Comprehensive Guide to the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2)
While Prosper Health is a neurodiversity-affirming practice, diagnostic criteria and assessments often use deficit-focused language that isn’t neurodiversity-affirming. We chose to include some of this deficit-based language—which does not reflect how we would usually write about autism—in this article for the sake of accurately portraying diagnostic materials.
Mastering DBT Skill DEAR MAN: A Guide for Autistic Adults
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based therapeutic approach originally developed to support individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Over time, it’s been adapted to help people manage anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation and more.
DBT focuses on four key skill areas: emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness. These tools offer practical strategies to manage emotions, reduce stress and foster healthier relationships.
For autistic adults, DBT is especially helpful for managing sensory overload, intense emotions, difficulty with self-advocacy and challenges in social communication. One of DBT’s strengths is its use of practical step-by-step tools that break complex experiences into manageable parts.
This article focuses on one of DBT’s core skills: DEAR MAN––a technique that supports assertive communication and self-advocacy. DEAR MAN can help autistic adults express their needs clearly, reduce anxiety in difficult conversations and build healthier personal and professional relationships.
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 was diagnosed with autism at age 36.
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.
We couldn’t find what you’re looking for. Try again with more general keywords, or check out our top reads.
