Autistic adults often face challenges with social communication (like understanding cues, sarcasm, or needing literal interpretation), sensory overload (from lights, sounds, crowds), executive function (planning, routines), and high rates of co-occurring mental health issues (anxiety, depression), alongside potential difficulties in employment, navigating stigma, and managing unique health risks, all stemming from living in a neurotypical-designed world.
Autistic people may act in a different way to other people
Autistic people may: find it hard to communicate and interact with other people. find it hard to understand how other people think or feel. find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable.
Furthermore, individuals with Autism generally succumb to health complications approximately 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population. Longitudinal studies that followed people with Autism for over 20 years found that the average life expectancy ranges between 39 years and 58 years.
About 8 in 10 autistic people experience a mental health challenge during their lifetime. This could include anxiety, depression, eating disorders or psychosis. Sadly, autistic people are more likely to die by suicide than non-autistic people.
People with autism can live independent, successful, and happy lives with the right support. Autism affects each individual differently — it's a spectrum. Early diagnosis and ABA therapy greatly enhance independence outcomes.
Main signs of autism
finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling. getting very anxious about social situations. finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own. seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to.
What not to say if someone reveals that they are autistic to you
Around 90% of autism cases are attributed to genetic factors, meaning autism is highly heritable, with many different genes contributing, rather than a single cause, often interacting with environmental influences during early brain development, though specific environmental factors don't cause it but can increase risk. Twin studies show strong genetic links, with concordance rates between 60-90% in identical twins, and research points to complex interactions of many genes and prenatal/perinatal factors.
Social situations (for example social anxiety or misunderstandings) Sensory overload (for example to much noise, light, itchy clothes) Experiencing changes and unpredictable things. Basic Needs (for example overtired, hungry, thirsty, in pain)
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
Among the causes of death, 27.9% were due to injuries, with suffocation being the most common, followed by asphyxia and drowning. The increased risk of drowning among autistic individuals has been confirmed by two additional studies.
In general, people who have an active lifestyle are much more emotionally resilient and focused. There also seems to be some evidence that physical exercise helps people with depression and ADHD, which are commonly co-occurring conditions with autism.
Autistic individuals often experience and express love and connection in ways that can differ from neurotypical expectations. Communication for autistic people in relationships tends to be direct and literal; understanding nonverbal cues can sometimes be a challenge.
Avoid the use of slang, nuance, and sarcasm. These forms of communication may be confusing and not easily understood by a person on the autism spectrum.
Just like everyone, autistic people can have good mental health. However, according to the autism research charity Autistica, seven out of ten autistic people have a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
There is not just one cause of ASD. Many different factors have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
Many autistic people are motivated to have friends, relationships and close family bonds, despite the clinical characterisation of autism as a condition negatively affecting social interaction. Many first-hand accounts of autistic people describe feelings of comfort and ease specifically with other autistic people.
Both physically and mentally, a person with autism may have stressors indirectly caused by other people. Certain facial features, vocal characteristics, or sudden movements can trigger someone with autism. Allowing them to express these pet peeves may result in further understanding of their anger-related behavior.
Your child may have experienced an autistic meltdown. These may look like a tantrum, with crying, trying to escape the situation and even aggressive behaviors and self-harm. It's important to know that a meltdown is not the same as a tantrum, and it's not a form of manipulation.
Additionally, inherited genetic variations contribute greatly. Research shows that both mothers and fathers can carry autism-related gene variants. Some of these are common variants that increase the risk of autism, while others are rare mutations causing more severe effects.
Understanding the 6 stages of an autism meltdown can help parents, caregivers, and educators respond with empathy and support.
Changes in the diagnostic criteria and increased screening at wellness visits seem to be the main contributors.
Among those with autism, common triggers include disturbing breaks in routine, lack of sleep, jarring “sensory stimuli” (noises, lights, or smells) or even undiagnosed mental health problems.
Red Flag 1: They Use Your Autism Against You
If you get overwhelmed easily and have trouble thinking clearly when your emotions are high, and your partner forces arguments or big decisions in these moments, they might be manipulating you.
Slow Down. Another thing that's important to do when you experience conflict is slow down and take deep breaths. Fights happen so fast and can easily trigger intense emotional responses that make conflict worse. It actually can be helpful to even ask for some time to process how you are feeling.