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Autism in Adulthood

@autisminadulthood.bsky.social

Autism in Adulthood is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes research & scholarship on the most pressing issues affecting autistic adults. https://journals.sagepub.com/home/AUA EIC: @cnicolaidis.bsky.social Social Media Editors: @avanicole23.bsky.social

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · last wk.

Parker et al (2026) conducted interviews with 15 mental health clinicians & 15 women/AFAB people who had a current or prior diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and identified as definitely or possibly autistic. The team identify barriers to diagnosing BPD. NEW doi.org/10.1177/2573...

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 3w ago

Aaron Wahl shares about the development of Autistic Mirror, an AI-powered application that translates peer-reviewed autism research &autistic community knowledge into mechanism-first explanations of autistic neurology. NEW FREE doi.org/10.1177/2573...

Autistic Mirror: A Conversational Artificial Intelligence Application for Neurological Self-Understanding in Autistic Adults and Their Support Networks - Aaron Wahl, 2026

Autistic adults consistently report inadequate post-diagnostic support and a persistent gap between autism science and accessible, strengths-based resources for...

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Dr Katie Twomey@k2mey.eurosky.social · last mo.

When I read the blog that preceded this article I cried with self-recognition. It takes a lot of work to unlearn the shame of just being who you are. I'm not there yet.

Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · last mo.

Doherty 2026 explores how shame may be an overlooked factor linking stigma & poor mental health among autistic adults, highlighting the need for affirming approaches to reduce shame & support self-compassion. NEW FREE to Sept 3 @autisticdoctor.bsky.social journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Abstract for the paper: Autistic Shame: Reflectionsd on an Underrecognized Determinant of Autistic Mental Health. It reads: Shame is a deeply painful emotion that is underexplored in autism research and autistic community spaces. While we commonly discuss stigma, we rarely examine how it is embodied and experienced as shame. This perspective piece argues that shame is a critical, yet largely unrecognized, determinant of autistic mental health outcomes, operating as a hidden link between societal stigma and the elevated rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidality among autistic adults. Drawing on research with autistic psychiatrists and personal experience as an autistic clinician–researcher, I trace how shame became visible as the overarching theme in my doctoral research – so pervasive it was initially invisible. The recognition of autistic shame has proven challenging to disseminate, with resistance to these findings illustrating the very dynamics being studied: when research exposes uncomfortable truths about shame, defensive responses often follow patterns described in Nathanson’s Compass of Shame. Autistic shame is the internalized sense of defectiveness tied specifically to one’s autistic identity & traits. It is externally imposed through lifelong exposure to neuronormative expectations where difference is misinterpreted as deficit. It manifests in multiple contexts: Reciprocally shaming social interactions, health care settings where autistic patients are dismissed and disbelieved, and community conflicts where heterogeneity is weaponized to silence advocacy. For autistic people, alexithymia can make shame difficult to recognize. Addressing autistic shame requires explicit therapeutic attention, self-compassion practices adapted for autistic cognition, and neurodiversity-affirmative approaches that reframe difference rather than deficit. Understanding shame offers tangible pathways toward improved mental health & authentic autistic flourishing.
Brains’re Weird. (That’s scary)@greymatters.bsky.social · last mo.

I was not expecting a paper on shame to read me for absolute filth yet here we are.

Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · last mo.

Doherty 2026 explores how shame may be an overlooked factor linking stigma & poor mental health among autistic adults, highlighting the need for affirming approaches to reduce shame & support self-compassion. NEW FREE to Sept 3 @autisticdoctor.bsky.social journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Abstract for the paper: Autistic Shame: Reflectionsd on an Underrecognized Determinant of Autistic Mental Health. It reads: Shame is a deeply painful emotion that is underexplored in autism research and autistic community spaces. While we commonly discuss stigma, we rarely examine how it is embodied and experienced as shame. This perspective piece argues that shame is a critical, yet largely unrecognized, determinant of autistic mental health outcomes, operating as a hidden link between societal stigma and the elevated rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidality among autistic adults. Drawing on research with autistic psychiatrists and personal experience as an autistic clinician–researcher, I trace how shame became visible as the overarching theme in my doctoral research – so pervasive it was initially invisible. The recognition of autistic shame has proven challenging to disseminate, with resistance to these findings illustrating the very dynamics being studied: when research exposes uncomfortable truths about shame, defensive responses often follow patterns described in Nathanson’s Compass of Shame. Autistic shame is the internalized sense of defectiveness tied specifically to one’s autistic identity & traits. It is externally imposed through lifelong exposure to neuronormative expectations where difference is misinterpreted as deficit. It manifests in multiple contexts: Reciprocally shaming social interactions, health care settings where autistic patients are dismissed and disbelieved, and community conflicts where heterogeneity is weaponized to silence advocacy. For autistic people, alexithymia can make shame difficult to recognize. Addressing autistic shame requires explicit therapeutic attention, self-compassion practices adapted for autistic cognition, and neurodiversity-affirmative approaches that reframe difference rather than deficit. Understanding shame offers tangible pathways toward improved mental health & authentic autistic flourishing.
Mary Doherty@autisticdoctor.bsky.social · last mo.

Pleased that my paper on Autistic Shame is available free from @autisminadulthood.bsky.social until Sept 3 - download your copy without delay, but as before, pick your moment to read it, as it's not an easy topic. It was not easy to write either. But ultimately, it is a question worth grappling with

Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · last mo.

Doherty 2026 explores how shame may be an overlooked factor linking stigma & poor mental health among autistic adults, highlighting the need for affirming approaches to reduce shame & support self-compassion. NEW FREE to Sept 3 @autisticdoctor.bsky.social journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Abstract for the paper: Autistic Shame: Reflectionsd on an Underrecognized Determinant of Autistic Mental Health. It reads: Shame is a deeply painful emotion that is underexplored in autism research and autistic community spaces. While we commonly discuss stigma, we rarely examine how it is embodied and experienced as shame. This perspective piece argues that shame is a critical, yet largely unrecognized, determinant of autistic mental health outcomes, operating as a hidden link between societal stigma and the elevated rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidality among autistic adults. Drawing on research with autistic psychiatrists and personal experience as an autistic clinician–researcher, I trace how shame became visible as the overarching theme in my doctoral research – so pervasive it was initially invisible. The recognition of autistic shame has proven challenging to disseminate, with resistance to these findings illustrating the very dynamics being studied: when research exposes uncomfortable truths about shame, defensive responses often follow patterns described in Nathanson’s Compass of Shame. Autistic shame is the internalized sense of defectiveness tied specifically to one’s autistic identity & traits. It is externally imposed through lifelong exposure to neuronormative expectations where difference is misinterpreted as deficit. It manifests in multiple contexts: Reciprocally shaming social interactions, health care settings where autistic patients are dismissed and disbelieved, and community conflicts where heterogeneity is weaponized to silence advocacy. For autistic people, alexithymia can make shame difficult to recognize. Addressing autistic shame requires explicit therapeutic attention, self-compassion practices adapted for autistic cognition, and neurodiversity-affirmative approaches that reframe difference rather than deficit. Understanding shame offers tangible pathways toward improved mental health & authentic autistic flourishing.
Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Browne et al. 2026 found that a free, globally available, co-designed "Autism and Mental Health" course has the potential to support the well-being of autisitc people by upskilling autistic people, their families, & relevant professionals. NEW FREE to Sept 3 journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Exploration of the Feasibility of an Autism Mental Health Massive Open Online Course - Katherine Browne, Wenn Lawson, Sonya Girdler, Nicole David, Ben Milbourn, 2026

Autistic individuals experience higher rates of depression and anxiety compared with nonautistic individuals; however, there are few services and programs speci...

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 4mo ago

We are excited to announce that you can now find us on LinkedIn! We will be sharing research updates from our journal on BlueSky, LinkedIn and our website. Please consider following us on LinkedIn here: www.linkedin.com/company/auti...

Autism in Adulthood | LinkedIn

Autism in Adulthood | 137 followers on LinkedIn. The peer-reviewed journal for research & scholarship on the most pressing issues affecting the lives of autistic adults | Autism in Adulthood is a ...

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Neurodivergence and the Rabbit Hole of Extremism: Uncovering Lived Experience. Wijekoon et al. advocate for proactive interventions to prevent engagement with extreme ideologies and to champion inclusive environments that recognize #autistic individuals' skills. READ FREE shorturl.at/2TuVf

Neurodivergence and the Rabbit Hole of Extremism: Uncovering Lived Experience - Sachindri Wijekoon, John Robison, Christie Welch, Alexander Westphal, Rachel Loftin, Barbara Perry, Victoria Rombos, Chr...

Background: There have been sporadic and disturbing media accounts of autistic people engaging with extreme ideologies, with comparatively little systematic exp...

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Social Media and Social (Dis)Connectedness in Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review by Potter et al. suggests that social media may differentially support and hinder social connectedness for Autistic and ADHD social media user groups. NEW FREE shorturl.at/N0nKu

Social Media and Social (Dis)Connectedness in Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review - Alice L. Potter, Anna O’Leary, Emma Incecik, Kieran Rose, Georgia Pavlopoulou, ...

Background: While there is growing interest in the relationship between social media (SM) use and psychosocial well-being, little is known about this relationsh...

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 6mo ago

“As a Person of Colour, I Was a Misfit Anyway”: Barriers to Autism Identification According to Ethnically and Racially Minoritized Adults. A qual study by Kostet illuminates intersectional experiences of minoritized #autistic persons navigating exclusionary environments. NEW FREE shorturl.at/lDr56

“As a Person of Colour, I Was a Misfit Anyway”: Barriers to Autism Identification According to Ethnically and Racially Minoritized Adults - Imane Kostet, 2026

Background: Ethnic and racial disparities in autism diagnosis have prompted growing interest in the role of “culture” in shaping these inequalities. However, mu...

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Meng-Chuan Lai@mengchuanlai.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Sharing our opinions and words of caution on the (mis)use of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q), via @autisminadulthood.bsky.social : journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

The Use and Misuse of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire in Autism Research and Clinical Practice: Issues, Considerations, and Suggestions - Benjamin Ross Hannon, Laura Hull, Meng-Chuan La...

In this Perspective, we summarize the evidence to date around the use of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) as a tool in research and clinic...

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 7mo ago

“Going Through Life on Hard Mode”—The Experience of Late Diagnosis of Autism and/or ADHD: A Qualitative Study by French and Cassidy explores people’s experiences of receiving a diagnosis in adulthood and its impact on their lives. NEW FREE journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

“Going Through Life on Hard Mode”—The Experience of Late Diagnosis of Autism and/or ADHD: A Qualitative Study - Blandine French, Sarah Cassidy, 2026

Background: In the United Kingdom, more than 2.5 million adults with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivi...

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Reacting, Retreating, Regulating, and Reconnecting: How Autistic Adults in the United Kingdom Use Time Alone for Well-Being by Neville and team explore how and why autistic people might want regular time alone for their wellbeing. NEW FREE journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Reacting, Retreating, Regulating, and Reconnecting: How Autistic Adults in the United Kingdom Use Time Alone for Well-Being - Florence Neville, Felicity Sedgewick, Stuart McClean, Jo White, Isabelle B...

Background: Firsthand accounts by autistic people describe a need for regular time alone. However, there is little in the literature that explores (1) why time ...

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David Ekdahl@ekdahlprimafacie.bsky.social · 7mo ago

New paper in @autisminadulthood.bsky.social exploring autistic adults embodied experiences of offline and online sociality. The paper is co-authored with @joelkrueger.com, and funded by @carlsbergfondet.dk. #Autism #Neurodiversity #Phenomenology #Embodiment journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Meta-Synthesis of Autistic Adults’ First-Person Perspectives About Mental Health-Related Services by Andoni et. al. offer practical changes that clinicians can make to improve their services to create better experiences for autistic adults. NEW FREE journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Meta-Synthesis of Autistic Adults’ First-Person Perspectives About Mental Health-Related Services - Lana Andoni, Abbey Eisenhower, Juliette Gudknecht, Heidi M. Levitt, 2026

Background: Autistic adults are at high risk of co-occurring mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, nonsuicidal self-injury, and suicidality. E...

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 7mo ago

“The World’s Really Not Set Up for the Neurodivergent Person”: Understanding Emotion Dysregulation from the Perspective of Autistic Adults by Beck et. al. identifies key contributors to emotion dysregulation to inform future service development. NEW FREE journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 8mo ago

What Are the Lived Experiences of Strengths in Autistic Individuals? A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis by Chow and Cooper finds that autistic individuals value abilities and attributes that enable them to thrive in their daily lives. NEW FREE journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

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Autism in Adulthood@autisminadulthood.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Community Priorities for Preventing Suicide in Autistic People: An Approach to Guide Policy and Practice by Moseley et. al. explores the ideas of autistic people and their supporters on necessary pathways to suicide prevention. NEW FREE journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Community Priorities for Preventing Suicide in Autistic People: An Approach to Guide Policy and Practice - Rachel L. Moseley, Tanya Procyshyn, Tanatswa Chikaura, Sarah J. Marsden, Tracey A. Parsons, S...

Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death for autistic people worldwide, but there is remarkably little research addressing suicide prevention strategies ...

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