Supportive Treatments for Thriving with Autism
Why Support for Autism Often Drops Off in Adulthood
Living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as an adult comes with many complex challenges. For one, system support for individuals with ASD decreases dramatically as one transitions from infancy into adulthood. Individuals with ASD may experience this acutely when they enter college where new social, lifestyle, and academic demands increase sharply. But the challenges of ASD in adulthood do not stop there, even if the supports do.
Individuals with ASD usually spend their whole lives managing symptoms, with or without ongoing support, and this can be exhausting. So how can psychiatric providers offer support to adults with ASD? For one, support isn’t about finding a “cure.” Rather, psychiatric providers offer help individuals manage the wide variety of symptoms and comorbidities that inhibit their quality of life. Support could look like helping individuals navigate social skills and relationships, providing psychopharmacology or therapy for co-occurring anxiety, depression, ADHD, or other concerns, or include psychoeducation to family members and the community to provide more empathetic environments.
In this article, we’ll provide a brief introduction to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its impacts, and what support can look like for those who are on the higher functioning end of the ASD spectrum.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood and continues on throughout adulthood. It comes with a spectrum of severity that the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM-V-TR) characterized by the amount of support required. Symptoms in need of support may include social communication difficulties, sensory sensitivity, repetitive behaviors, and/or intellectual disability. ASD has received significant attention in the last few decades in the medical field as well as in the broader cultural zeitgeist.
Increasingly, advocates have encouraged a more nuanced perspective of ASD in society at large, especially for those with higher levels of functionality. For example, not everyone who has been diagnosed with ASD considers themselves to be disabled or in need of “treatment.” Others, however, may feel differently and perceive their symptoms as significantly impeding their lifestyle. Regardless of which camp one falls into, ASD often comes with symptoms and co-occurring concerns that can challenge one's quality of life.
How Autism Impacts Daily Functioning and Quality of Life
Quality of life (QoL) can be objective (i.e. employment level, supportive relationships, physical health) as well as subjective (i.e. perceived stress, relationship satisfaction). Improving quality of life involves addressing both these objective and subjective elements. Improving objective QoL might mean aiding communication and social skills development to help individuals with ASD find employment that matches their skill level or maintain rewarding relationships. Improving subjective QoL may look like treating the comorbidities that impact mental well-being, such as Anxiety, Depression, and ADHD. Improving objective and subjective QoL requires an individualized and nuanced approach that addresses the unique external and internal contributions to symptoms.
What Effective Support for Autism Actually Looks Like
Although individuals with ASD may find it exhausting for various reasons, thriving is possible! It often requires nuanced and sensitive support that addresses both personal and environmental elements that exacerbate symptoms. For example, environmental change might mean accommodations at work or educating family and friends so that they can better understand and appreciate your challenges or unique behavioral presentation. Addressing personal elements may mean considering therapeutic approaches that address co-occurring concerns. Depression, Anxiety, and ADHD frequently co-occur with ASD and can exacerbate the negative experiences associated with ASD. Medications to address these co-occurring concerns may improve the subjective, as well as objective, experience of life.
Common Co-Occurring Conditions with Autism (Anxiety, ADHD, Depression)
Many adults with autism are not only navigating core ASD traits, but also managing additional mental health conditions that can significantly impact daily functioning.
Common co-occurring conditions include:
Anxiety, which may show up as chronic worry, social discomfort, or heightened stress responses
Depression is often connected to long-term exhaustion, isolation, or difficulty navigating daily demands
ADHD, which can affect attention, organization, and follow-through
These conditions are not separate from the autism experience—they often interact with it, making symptoms more complex and more difficult to manage over time. When these co-occurring concerns are not addressed, individuals may feel like they are constantly coping, but never fully stabilizing. Understanding and treating these conditions is an essential part of improving both day-to-day functioning and overall quality of life.
Finding the Right Type of Support for Autism as an Adult
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex condition with a wide range of symptoms. It is important to find a supportive, neuroaffirmative psychiatric provider who will take the time and care to understand your unique presentation. If you are interested in how medication or therapy may help improve your quality of life, schedule an intake with Mace Behavioral Health today. We look forward to providing the kind of support you need to live the full life you desire.
