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.
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.
How to Get Tested for Autism as an Adult: A Comprehensive Guide
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by sensory sensitivities, social communication challenges, repetitive actions and special interests. Despite displaying autism traits, many adults reach later stages of life without an official diagnosis. This is partially due to masking, a coping strategy in which individuals consciously or unconsciously suppress their autistic traits to fit in with others. With growing awareness, more adults are recognizing that their lifelong challenges with social interaction, communication and sensory processing could be related to undiagnosed autism.
Getting an autism diagnosis as an adult can be life-changing. It provides clarity and validation of differences that may have caused confusion, frustration or isolation throughout life. An adult autism diagnosis can also help individuals access support services, workplace accommodations and tools for improved quality of life.
Autism and Co-Occurring Conditions: A Guide
Autism is known to co-occur with several health conditions—but what does this mean? What other diagnoses are most prevalent among autistic individuals, and does an autism diagnosis inform treatment of co-occurring conditions?
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Can Autism Be Cured? Why Acceptance Matters More
Autism is a natural variation in human neurodevelopment. Those on the autism spectrum often have unique ways of thinking, learning and interacting with the world. Autistic peoples’ brains are essentially wired differently––and many people want to find the cause of these differences and remove them. In fact, most money going toward autism research is going toward researching the treatment and prevention of autism.
However, studying the causes of autism with the intention of curing it is a controversial topic. Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that cannot––and many argue, should not––be “cured.”

Understanding Adult Autism: Facts and Statistics You Need to Know
For much of the general public, the word “autism” conjures a specific picture: A gifted but odd young boy with behavioral issues and some kind of profound, savantish knowledge, like Raymond Babbit from Rain Man or Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon.
Although the diagnostic criteria for autism certainly include the precocious eccentric individuals that are often portrayed in popular media, autism is a wide and encompassing spectrum. Our understanding of its various manifestations is evolving all the time. As our understanding changes, so does how we diagnose and support autistic individuals.

PMDD and Autism: Understanding Their Intersection and Getting Support
No one loves getting their period––but for people with PMDD, periods can be debilitating. PMDD affects up to 10% of people who menstruate, and for autistic individuals, that rate is even higher. PMDD presents unique challenges for autistic people, but there are several options for treatment and support that can help them reduce and cope with PMDD symptoms.

How to Deal with Sensory Overload in Autistic Adults: Effective Strategies and Solutions
Sensory overload is a common challenge for autistic adults. Bright lights and unexpected sounds may seem harmless to some, but to the autistic brain, they can trigger the same physiological responses that bodies enter when facing something dangerous. This is why so many individuals on the autism spectrum find sensory-heavy environments so overwhelming.
A large proportion of autistic adults report experiencing sensory challenges, sometimes known as sensory processing disorder. This can include a heightened sensitivity (hypersensitivity) or reduced sensitivity (hyposensitivity) to sensory experiences. Sensory seeking refers to actively seeking out certain sensory experiences, such as craving deep pressure or being drawn to specific textures or sounds in order to regulate sensory input. On the other hand, for those with heightened sensitivity, everyday environments can quickly become overwhelming, and it can be all too easy to end up in a state of sensory overload.
Overload happens when the nervous system is bombarded with too much information all at once. The body interprets this as a threat, activating a protective mechanism designed to restore balance and prevent further distress. Sensory overload can manifest in many ways—sudden fatigue, difficulty concentrating, anxiety or irritability. Sometimes, it can be mistaken for emotional distress or even a panic attack.
Luckily, there are some helpful strategies for managing and preventing sensory overload. First and foremost, it’s important to remember that the goal is to accommodate sensory needs, not to ‘fix’ them.

How to Build a Sensory Self Care Kit to Cope with Sensory Overload
Most autistic adults are familiar with the feeling of sensory overload. Sometimes, an environment is too brightly lit or too noisy. There may be too many overwhelming smells, or clothing may feel extra tight or scratchy. Sensory overload and overstimulation can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from anxiety to irritability to dizziness. For many autistic individuals, sensory overload can lead to meltdowns, which are particularly exhausting facets of living with autism spectrum disorder.
Though it’s difficult, if not impossible, to completely avoid overly stimulating environments, a sensory self-care kit can help ease discomfort. A sensory kit is a set of items that can be used to reduce sensory input. Having a pre-made kit of these trusty items in one convenient place means that when you’re feeling distressed, you don’t have to think about what to do or scramble to find your comfort items. You can simply reach into your sensory toolkit and start finding relief ASAP.
Read on to learn how to identify your individual sensory preferences and create a sensory self-care kit uniquely suited to your needs.

How to Help with Autism Brain Fog: Effective Strategies for Autistic Adults
Has your brain ever felt fuzzy or exhausted––like it’s moving through molasses to complete basic tasks or remember something? If so, you’ve likely experienced brain fog. People use the term “brain fog” to describe mental fatigue, forgetfulness, impaired executive function and increased effort to do daily tasks.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and brain fog tend to go hand in hand since there’s some overlap between symptoms of brain fog and autistic traits, which can trap autistic adults in an exhausting cycle.
Brain fog has several causes and manifests differently for different people. While some may experience executive dysfunction or memory difficulties, others may find themselves struggling more with fatigue or social anxiety. Just like other facets of autism, brain fog doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why it’s important for autistic adults to feel empowered to create individualized solutions for the challenges that brain fog presents.
Read on to learn some potentially effective strategies for autistic adults to reduce brain fog.
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