For decades, autism has largely been diagnosed based on observable behaviors (speech delays, repetitive actions, or social difficulties), often missing those who mask or whose traits are less pronounced. However, recent breakthroughs in neuroscience, research, and technology are reshaping how we understand autism — revealing it may not just be a difference in behavior, but a difference in biology itself.

Emerging research suggests that autistic brains aren't simply wired differently in a metaphorical sense; they’re literally structured differently with measurable variations in neuron density, brain symmetry, and information processing. In this article, I’ll explore the growing body of scientific evidence that autism is not just psychological or developmental, but deeply neurological as well.

Neuron Density Differences in Autistic Children’s Brains

Researchers at the University of Rochester published a 2024 study in Autism Research that compared over 9,000 individuals — some with autism, some without — to examine differences in neuron density in the brain. Results revealed that children with autism show distinct differences in neuron density in certain brain regions compared to both neurotypical children and those with other psychiatric conditions like ADHD and anxiety.

When the researchers broke down the brain scan measurements into two parts — one that shows how many neuron cell bodies there are (RNI) and one that shows how much the brain cells branch out (RND) — they got a clearer picture.

Examining the Results

Results from the study showed that individuals with autism had fewer neuron cell bodies in the:

• parietal lobe (touch, spatial awareness, pressure, pain)

• occipital lobe (vision, shapes, colors, movement)

• midbrain (basic movement, visual and auditory reflexes)

• hindbrain (balance, coordination, breathing, heart rate, other automatic body functions)

They also had fewer neuron branches in the cerebellum (coordination, balance, fine-tuning movement) and ventral diencephalon (relaying sensory information, controlling automatic body functions).

However, those with autism also had areas of the brain that had more neuron density, including more neuron cell bodies in the amygdala (which is important for emotions), and more neuron branches in the:

• fronto-temporal regions (thinking, language, social skills, emotions)

• caudate nucleus (movement planning, habits, repetitive actions)

• insula (emotional awareness, bodily feelings, empathy)

• putamen or basal ganglia (movement control, habit learning)

Basically, some parts of autistic brains have fewer neuron cells or branches compared to neurotypical brains, and other parts have more. These brain differences stayed the same even when the researchers compared people with autism to people with other mental health conditions, and when they checked the results at different times.

Differences in Brain Structure in Older Autistic Adults

A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that adult men with autism have small but important differences in their brain structure compared to neurotypical men. Using a special type of MRI, researchers looked closely at the brain’s “gray matter” (which processes information) and “white matter” (which connects different brain areas).

Brains Built Another Way

The study looked at the tiny structures of the brain in autistic and neurotypical males aged 12 to 46 using advanced MRI scans. Researchers found clear differences in both the white matter and gray matter between autistic and neurotypical individuals. These brain differences stayed consistent across different ages. In autistic people, some of the brain changes were linked to how severe their autism symptoms were.

“We see significant differences between the two groups across both white matter and gray matter. There were also associations with some of the autism severity measures that were collected and looked at as well” (Doug Dean III, Ph.D.).

Although this study population was relatively small (around 150 individuals), it is still important because most autism research focuses on children, whereas this study highlights the importance of understanding how autism affects the brain in adults.

Autistic People Have Atypical Left-Right Brain Symmetry

In autism, the left and right sides of the brain don’t develop quite as evenly as they do in people without autism. It’s normal that there is some brain area size variation (known as brain asymmetry) in even neurotypical people, but in people with autism, this left-right difference is smaller — and sometimes even reversed — in areas of the brain involved in thinking, emotions, and understanding others.

In a 2019 study, scientists looked at brain scans from a very large group (over 1,700 people with autism and over 1,800 without) and found that the biggest differences between autistic and neurotypical brains were in areas like the frontal lobe (important for decision-making and emotions), temporal lobe (understanding language and faces), and putamen (movement and habits).

“As we found altered asymmetry of various additional regions, our findings suggest broader disruption of lateralized neurodevelopment as part of the ASD phenotype. We note that many of the regions that showed significant case–control differences in asymmetry, including medial frontal, anterior cingulate, and inferior temporal regions, overlap with the default mode network (DMN)” (Postema et al., 2019).

The differences in brain asymmetry were small yet consistent across people, and they didn’t seem to be explained by age, gender, intelligence, or medications. This suggests that slightly unusual left-right brain development may be one of the identifiable features of autism, although more research is needed.

AI System Diagnoses Autism with 98.5% Accuracy

Researchers developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system in 2023 that can diagnose autism in children aged 2 to 4 years with 98.5 percent accuracy. Using a special type of brain scan called a diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI), the scan measures how water moves along white matter pathways in the brain, helping detect abnormal brain connections linked to autism. The AI system analyzes these pathways and compares them to typical brain patterns, identifying differences related to social and behavioral difficulties:

"DT-MRI captures these abnormal connections [in autistic brains] that lead to the symptoms that children with autism often have, such as impaired social communication and repetitive behaviors” (Gregory N. Barnes, M.D., Ph.D.).

When the DT-MRI scan was tested on 226 children, the system showed extremely impressive results: 97 percent sensitivity, 98 percent specificity, and an accuracy of 98.5 percent in identifying autistic children. Results like these suggest that there are quantifiable and measurable differences between neurotypical and autistic brains.

Autistic People Make More Consistent Choices and Rational Decisions

A 2017 study published in Psychological Science revealed that autistic people tend to make more consistent, logical decisions and are less likely to change their preferences based on the context of the choices they're given. This means they aren’t as easily influenced by tricks like adding a “decoy” option to sway their choice — a ploy that often works on neurotypical people. This also fits with past research showing autistic people focus more on individual details rather than the big picture.

“People with autism spectrum conditions made fewer context-induced preference reversals than did neurotypical individuals. That is, [autistic people] made more conventionally rational decisions” (Farmer et al., 2017).

Why Do Autistic People Tend to be More Rational?

Scientists hypothesize that autistic people are harder to sway from logical choices because they process information more directly without being as influenced by what others might think, or by their own past expectations. Some theories explain this as autistic people having “flatter priors” (ie. their brains rely less on previous experiences when making decisions and focus more on what’s right in front of them).

Granted, this particular study only had about 300 participants, but that’s still a sizable sample size and lines up with results found in multiple earlier studies. Results like these tend to point to the idea that autistic people have a different way of thinking compared to neurotypical people.

Autistic People Have Unique Mental Imagery Abilities

A smaller (82 participants) 2024 study published in Autism Research found that autistic people have atypical mental imagery abilities — that is, autistic adults have some differences in how they use mental imagery compared to non-autistic people.

In tasks where participants had to create or rotate mental images, autistic and non-autistic participants performed about the same. However, autistic people were better at holding visual patterns in their minds, showing stronger image maintenance. Additionally, when participants had to mentally scan an image, non-autistic people took longer when scanning farther distances, but autistic people stayed equally fast no matter how far they scanned.

“Results from the visual pattern test evidenced a greater ability to maintain mental images in autistic individuals… In summary, our findings support the hypothesis of typical or superior mental imagery abilities among autistic individuals” (Bled et al., 2024).

These findings suggest that mental imagery in autism works differently than in neurotypical brains and may rely more on direct perception rather than being shaped by language or prior knowledge.

Video Game Distinguishes Children with Autism

A 2025 study published in the The British Journal of Psychiatry shows that a video game method can distinguish autistic kids from neurotypical kids with an astonishing 80 percent success rate. It can also distinguish autistic kids from ADHD kids with a 70 percent success rate — very impressive, especially considering the high degree of overlap between autism and ADHD. (To read more about the autism/ADHD overlap, check out my article Autism & ADHD: The AuDHD Among Us.)

The video game method, known as a Computerized Assessment of Motor Imitation (CAMI), records a child’s movements as they mimic an on-screen character. CAMI then scores the child’s imitation ability, which correlates strongly with autism symptoms like social difficulties and repetitive behaviors.

“Four levels of analyses confirm that poor imitation measured by the low-cost and scalable CAMI method specifically distinguishes ASD not only from neurotypical development, but also from commonly co-occurring ADHD” (Santra et al., 2025).

Easy Assessment Option for Children

Unlike traditional autism assessments that focus on communication, CAMI targets sensory-motor challenges, revealing differences between autism and ADHD. More research is needed (as the study included less than 200 children), but CAMI is a promising clinical tool for helping to distinguish autistic and/or ADHD children from their neurotypical peers.

While the potential use of CAMI to determine neurodivergent children isn’t definite proof of autistic and ADHD people having different brain structures, it certainly contributes to the hypothesis that they do.

Neurodivergence Isn’t Just in the Mind — It’s in the Matter

In summary, these studies point to a clear and compelling truth: autistic brains are not broken or deficient, but rather different in tangible, structural, and observable ways. From neuron density and structural asymmetry to decision-making styles and mental imagery, autistic individuals show consistent patterns that set them apart from neurotypical brains. These neurological signatures are helping scientists diagnose autism earlier, understand it better across the lifespan, and — perhaps most importantly — shift the narrative around autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

⬇️ What do you think about the research and studies? Let me and others know in the comment section below! ⬇️

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Thanks for Reading!

Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to spend some time with me! I encourage all of my readers to RISE (Reflect, Improve, Strengthen, & Evolve) with me because healing is a lifelong journey; it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. You are loved, cherished, and valued. Don’t ever let anyone ever convince you otherwise.

My commitment to bringing you FREE, well-researched, and comprehensive content means I spend considerable time and effort writing each article or post without compensation.

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—Skylar Aries

Growing up in the 90s, there were often some kids in our elementary schools or high schools who were “just a little bit different,” or who didn’t quite fit in with everyone else, but often were at least of average intelligence—if not above-average intelligence. These children and teenagers were often diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. But what is Asperger’s Syndrome, and why isn’t it a diagnosis anymore?

In this article, I’ll discuss the history of Asperger’s Syndrome (as well as the man who described the condition), the controversy around the term, and where we’re at now with it.

A Digestible History of Asperger’s Syndrome

Asperger’s Syndrome (sometimes referred to as Asperger’s or Asperger’s Disorder) was first introduced to the medical community by Hans Asperger in his article “‘Autistic Psychopathy’ in Childhood,” published in 1944.

By the time his paper was published, Asperger had already spent years studying what he called “autistic psychopathy,” having observed and analyzed more than 200 children. He described a few specific children—four boys he studied intensely—as having a "lack of empathy, poor ability to make friends, unidirectional conversation, strong preoccupation with special interests, and awkward movements.” However, he also described them as “little teachers” because they were able to talk about their favorite subjects at length and in great detail (special interests, much?).

Despite the release of Asperger’s study, it went largely unnoticed by the English-speaking medical community for decades until other researchers brought it into the spotlight.

How the Term “Asperger’s Syndrome” Originated

Lorna Wing, a British psychiatrist notable for her research into autism, first coined the term "Asperger’s Syndrome” in 1976. She chose the term in order to avoid potential misunderstandings regarding the term “autistic psychopathy”—the original term that Asperger had used.

However, the term didn’t become widely known until Wing published “Asperger’s Syndrome: A Clinical Account” in the Journal of Psychological Medicine in 1981. In the study, she suggested that Asperger’s Syndrome ought to be placed on the autism spectrum as there were some overlapping symptoms, although not everyone agreed with her.

Asperger’s Syndrome Added in the DSM-IV (1994)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (commonly referred to as the DSM-IV), published in 1994, officially recognized Asperger’s Syndrome as a distinct diagnosis within the broader category of pervasive developmental disorders.

Unlike classic autism, individuals diagnosed with Asperger’s were typically noted to have average to above-average intelligence and no significant delays in language development, though they still exhibited marked difficulties with social interaction, communication, and restricted or repetitive interests. This distinction allowed clinicians to identify and support a subset of autistic individuals whose traits often went unnoticed under earlier diagnostic criteria.

Asperger’s Syndrome Removed from the DSM-V (2013)

When the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) was released in 2013, Asperger’s Syndrome was removed as a separate diagnosis and merged into the broader category of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

This change reflected a growing consensus among experts that autism-related conditions exist along a continuum rather than as distinct disorders. The revision aimed to improve diagnostic consistency and recognize the wide variation in how autism presents—from individuals with significant support needs to those with average or high intelligence who may have previously been diagnosed with Asperger’s.

Although the term Asperger’s Syndrome is still commonly used in everyday conversation, it is no longer an official clinical diagnosis as of 2013. I touched on some more about the Asperger’s Syndrome versus autism confusion in my article Why is Everyone Autistic Now?

Controversy Surrounding Asperger’s Syndrome

While it’s no longer a clinical term, many people still identify with the term “Asperger’s” because it was part of their personal diagnostic history or identity. Some of the reasons Asperger’s Syndrome was folded into the broader category of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) include:

• Improved Accuracy: By combining Asperger’s Syndrome into the autism spectrum, clinicians hoped to improve diagnostic accuracy and consistency. This helps ensure that people with similar needs get similar support, regardless of the specific label.

• Avoiding Confusion: The separate label of Asperger’s Syndrome sometimes led to misunderstandings about what autism looks like, especially when people assumed Asperger’s was “milder” or fundamentally different. The new spectrum approach emphasizes that autism varies in intensity and presentation rather than being separate conditions.

• A Lack of Clear Boundaries: Experts found that the differences between Asperger’s Syndrome and other forms of autism were not consistent or well-defined. People diagnosed with Asperger’s often had similar traits and challenges as those with what was previously called “high-functioning autism.”

🧠 NeuroTip: Many autistic people dislike the term “high-functioning” when it comes to autism because it dismisses support needs and can be misleading. Even those with so-called “high-functioning” autism still struggle immensely.

Hans Asperger’s Nazi Ties

Another reason the term Asperger’s Syndrome has fallen out of favor is because of the ties Asperger had to the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (NSDAP)—more commonly referred to as the Nazi Party. Much of the early literature on Asperger either ignored or downplayed any involvement, often portraying him as a defender of autistic children. The truth, however, is more sinister.

Asperger advanced his career under the Nazi regime, partly due to the removal of Jewish doctors after the 1938 annexation of Austria. While he may have not been a hardcore Nazi ideologue, he made political concessions and collaborated to some extent with Nazi racial hygiene policies, and had been “accused on uncertain grounds of harboring sympathy for Nazi politics.”

More damningly, Asperger actively participated in sending several autistic children to Am Spiegelgrund, a children’s clinic in Vienna during WWII, to be “euthanized” (read: murdered) by the Nazis. One gravesite of child victims reads (in German):

“In memory of the children and adolescents who fell victim to [Nazi] euthanasia as ‘life unworthy of life’ from 1940 to 1945 in the former children's hospital Am Spiegelgrund.”

Conclusion: Understanding the Past, Navigating the Present

The story of Asperger’s Syndrome is complex: rooted in evolving science, shifting diagnostic standards, and a deeply troubling historical legacy. While the term once helped identify and support individuals who were often misunderstood or overlooked, its removal from the DSM-V and the revelations about Hans Asperger's Nazi affiliations have led to necessary reexaminations of how we talk about the syndrome today.

Despite no longer being used in clinical settings, the term “Asperger’s” remains a meaningful part of many people’s identities. Some find clarity or community in the term, while others embrace the more inclusive language of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ultimately, what matters most is listening to autistic voices, respecting personal preferences, and continuing to move toward a more nuanced, compassionate understanding of neurodiversity.

As we look back at the history of Asperger’s Syndrome, it’s not just about a diagnosis; it’s about the people behind it, the systems that shaped it, and the ongoing effort to support and affirm every autistic person, no matter where they fall on the spectrum.

Thanks for Reading!

Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to spend some time with me! I encourage all of my readers to RISE (Reflect, Improve, Strengthen, & Evolve) with me because healing is a lifelong journey; it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. You are loved, cherished, and valued. Don’t ever let anyone ever convince you otherwise.

My commitment to bringing you FREE, well-researched, and comprehensive content means I spend considerable time and effort writing each article or post without compensation.

Want to Support Me?

The simplest FREE way you can support me is by subscribing, sharing, or leaving a comment:

Subscribe now

Share New Autistic

Leave a comment

I believe in keeping my content accessible to everyone, without paywalls, because I know the work I do matters. For that reason, I’m beyond grateful for any financial support! If you'd like to support me and my work, check out my art website at AriesArtwork.com to bring home something unique or find a gift for that special someone in your life:

I’ll see you again when I’ve got a new info-dump for you, my Newtistics Crew!

—Skylar Aries

If you've lived anywhere else but under a rock for the past few decades, you'll have heard the apocryphal refrains that "rates of autism are skyrocketing" and "everyone's autistic now!" Obviously, there is a bit of hyperbolic liberty taken with these statements, but that hasn't stopped major news outlets, mainstream media, and people on social media from disseminating such information. What's the real deal? Is everyone autistic now? Are rates of autism actually skyrocketing?

I intend to examine these questions (and more that will be added to this page later) through a fact-seeking lens. Remember, however, that I am writing from the perspective of an autistic person, and if you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person. Other people, autistic or otherwise, may have differing opinions. (I should hope that they support their opinions with facts, like I do.)

Are Rates of Autism on the Rise?

The answer to this question seems to be both yes and no.

Yes

From a strictly statistical standpoint, yes, there are more people being diagnosed with autism today than there have been in the past. In the year 2000, about 1 in 150 children was diagnosed with autism according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That number jumped to 1 in 36 children in 2020, a four-fold increase. Understandably, a lot of people have been alarmed at this seemingly sudden and unforeseen increase in rates of autism.

Yes, But...

However, in order to understand this change (from 1 in 150 to 1 in 36) more clearly, the diagnostic criteria for autism must also be examined. If we've changed the way in which we diagnose autism, then it would make logical sense that numbers of diagnosed individuals might change.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, commonly referred to as the DSM-V, was published in 2013 and revised in 2022. The DSM is "the taxonomic and diagnostic tool published by the American Psychiatric Association." Think of it as the Bible of American psychology and psychiatry. Other nations may use other criteria, so please note that I am speaking from a United States-based perspective.

In order to keep this easy to understand, I'm going to try to explain what happened with the diagnostic criteria for autism in laymen's terms. (If you want a more in-depth explanation and analysis, I recommend reading the book Neurotribes by Steve Silberman.) In 2013, the DSM-V overhauled autistic disorder to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), bringing in similar disorders like the now-discarded Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS), Rett's Disorder, and childhood disintegrative disorder under the umbrella of the new ASD.

Putting multiple other disorders like Asperger's and PDD under the umbrella of ASD is quite obviously going to cause rates of ASD to go up. What might've in the past been diagnosed as one of these other disorders now falls under the ASD diagnostic criteria. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that rates of ASD would go up from that alone.

Furthermore, autism was once thought only to affect boys, or at least was thought to be much more prevalent in males than females. While it's true that boys (and affluent white boys especially) are far more likely to be diagnosed—because that was the group most heavily studied—we now know that autism often presents differently in males and females and there could be just as many female autistics as there are males. (At the very least, the numbers are not so disparate as they were once believed to be.)

If we previously excluded roughly 50 percent of the population on the basis of their sex, it makes perfect sense that rates of autism would seem to be on the rise once we start more seriously evaluating the other sex for ASD. In simpler terms, more women are getting evaluated and diagnosed.

Similarly, we see the same effect in people of color. In the past, most people diagnosed with autism were white and upper-middle class. Now that other races and ethnicities are being studied more extensively in terms of ASD, more people of color are being diagnosed, and that also increases the total number of ASD diagnoses.

No

There's also an argument to be made that rates of autism aren't actually increasing; only the rates of autism diagnosis are increasing. What do I mean by this?

Let's look at Mt. Everest. It was ostensibly discovered in 1852 by surveyors working for the British government. But that doesn't really make sense because, obviously, Mt. Everest was there in 1851, and in 1850, and in 1849, and so on and so forth. Earth's tallest peak didn't suddenly poof into existence just because some British surveyors went poking around Nepal in 1852, right? Mt. Everest existed long before then—we just didn't know where to look.

And many argue that it's the same with autism: autism has always been here; we just didn't know where to look. As Temple Grandin (a famous autistic author, speaker, and professor) has posited:

"Who do you think made the first stone spear? That wasn't the yakkity yaks sitting around the campfire. It was some Asperger sitting in the back of a cave figuring out how to chip rocks into spearheads."

The Real Answer

Whether rates of autism itself are going up is another debate entirely, but it's clear from the evidence that rates of ASD diagnosis are indeed on the rise, and will likely continue to rise for the foreseeable future.

Is Everyone Autistic Now?

Another question I see commonly floated on social media is, "Why is everyone autistic now?" I would attribute hyperbole to some of these commenters, but I also agree that they do have a point: far more people are being diagnosed with autism/ASD than ever before. We see it in media (books, movies, and television). We see it in online spaces. We see it in schools and workplaces. So, what's going on?

Some Famous People with Autism

Many big-name celebrities, artists, actors, and businessmen have revealed their diagnoses over recent years, including Anthony Hopkins, Eminem, Elon Musk, Satoshi Tajiri (the creator of the Pokémon franchise), and Courtney Love—just to name a few. Many, many more are suspected of being on the autism spectrum.

Furthermore, many people speculate that a ton of prominent people throughout history would meet the criteria for an ASD diagnosis today, including Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Carl Jung, Emily Dickinson, George Orwell, Andy Warhol, Nikola Tesla, and Vincent van Gogh—again, just to name a few. In Silberman's Neurotribes, he expands on several prominent scientists who almost certainly would've been considered autistic today.

But Why is Everyone Autistic?

To be clear (and although this should go without saying, I'll say it): not everyone is autistic now. There may be more representation of autistic people in media, and certainly more people are getting diagnosed, but that is a far cry from "everyone" being autistic.

ASD is still a relatively rare disorder that is currently diagnosed in about 2.8 to 4.5 percent of the population (as of 2023 statistics). Those rates are similar, though slightly lower, to rates of people who are blind or have a vision disability (4.8 percent) or people who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing (6.1 percent).

The Frequency Illusion

In truth, most people probably are noticing autism more (and therefore thinking it's far more prevalent than it is) due to the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, also known as the frequency illusion. This cognitive bias occurs when you notice a specific word, thing, person, product, etc. more frequently after being made aware of it.

For example, say I tell you that there are a lot more crows this year than in previous years, and you might mention that you hadn't noticed that. However, now that the idea is in your head, you go out to the grocery store and see (what you think are) more crows. At the park, you see more crows. On a walk, you see more crows. You come back to me a week later and agree, "Yeah, there definitely are more crows around!"

In actuality, there aren't any more crows than there were before; you're only noticing the crows because I pointed their supposed increasing numbers out to you. The crows were always there hanging out in the grocery store parking lot, or chilling near the local park, or up in the trees on your nature walks. You just weren't looking for them before, and now that you are, you notice them.

Remember the whole Mt. Everest comparison I mentioned in the previous section? It's the same thing: the crows were always there; you just weren't looking for them before. Thanks to the frequency illusion, you're noticing them now. (And try not to be on the lookout for more crows after reading this.)

No, Not Everyone is Autistic, But...

Not everyone is autistic, but (there's always a but, huh?) it's true that far more people are being diagnosed with autism than ever before. I think a huge part of the problem is that the overhaul of ASD, along with the inclusion of other, now-eliminated diagnoses, has really muddied the waters when it comes to the public perception of what autism is or isn't (and to learn more about misconceptions about autism, check out my article Misconceptions About Autism).

Autism & Asperger's: A 90s Tale

I want to dive into this topic more because I think it's really important to understand the nuance of the situation. In doing so, I may use some language or descriptors that some may find offensive, and I apologize in advance. Please understand that it is not meant with the intention of harm or offense but rather elucidation. (I also have an article about Asperger’s Syndrome, if you’re curious to learn more about that.)

I grew up in the 90s and early 2000s, and during that time, there were two distinct categories: autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Kids who were autistic couldn't do much for themselves. Perhaps they were nonverbal, or constantly threw what their caretakers referred to as "tantrums," or they only ate one food item (often something like fries or chicken nuggets). They didn't attend normal school. They were often referred to as "retarded" in both the literal and pejorative sense.

On the other hand, kids with Asperger's Syndrome were intelligent, sometimes much more so than their peers, had extensive vocabularies (hyperlexia), and had special abilities when it came to math, science, writing, or art. Often, they were referred to as "gifted children." Despite their vast cognitive abilities, they typically had limited social and emotional intelligence and had trouble getting along with other children their own age.

Given this, imagine the shock and horror when, with the release of the DSM-V in 2013, the "gifted children" and the "retards" were suddenly put under the same umbrella: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The new ASD, its levels, and its changes weren't explained well—if at all—to the American public. (To learn more about the new levels of ASD and what they mean, read my article The Three Levels of Autism next.)

An Example: Steven and Lyle

Most people, understandably, don't know about the overarching changes to autism and ASD. All they see is that Steven, a gifted child who graduated high school at 16 and went on to get a law degree from Harvard, suddenly has the same diagnosis as Lyle, a nonverbal invalid who can't even feed, clothe, or bathe himself. (Note that I just made these examples up and they do not refer to any specific person or persons.) How could these two completely opposite people possibly have the same disorder?

Furthermore, those parents of children with what is now often referred to as "profound autism" (individuals with ASD with an IQ less than 50 and require 24-hour supervision) are looking at Steven and his accomplishments and (perhaps rightfully) demanding to know why the extremely limited resources out there for ASD are going to Steven.

"Steven went to Harvard! My son, Lyle, can't even tie his shoe! Why does Steven need support?!" is a common and expected refrain that we might hear from loved ones of those with profound autism. "Steven's not actually autistic! He can clearly take care of himself and that's not what autism is!" Perhaps you think they're right.

But the truth is that even though Steven is able to function at a higher level intellectually and socially than Lyle, that doesn't mean he isn't in need of support himself. What Lyle's parents don't know is that Steven is hanging on by a thread, addicted to alcohol to the point of developing jaundice just to survive the rigors of being a high-powered attorney. That's not to say that he needs as much support as Lyle does, as he certainly doesn't, but he needs at least some support to survive.

The Real Problem

The biggest problem, aside from a lack of education on what ASD actually means now, is the lack of support in general for autistic people. Let's take a look at some troubling, not-so-convenient data points.

• Shorter Life Expectancy: A person with autism only has a life expectancy of 39-54 years, compared to the average person's 77.5-year life expectancy in the US.

• Chronic Unemployment: Depending on the study, approximately 38.5 percent to 85 percent of autistic people are unemployed, even those with college or post-graduate degrees.

• Serious Comorbidities: Autism comes with a ton of potential comorbidities (conditions that are often found together), including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), gastrointestinal issues, chronic inflammatory illnesses, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, migraines, headaches, and congenital abnormalities, just to name a few. (Hint: It's not just the autism that we struggle with.)

• Higher Substance Abuse Rates: 50 percent of autistic people have substance use disorder. Autistic people are also more likely to use recreational drugs to self-medicate.

• More Prone to Being Abused: Autistic adults experience higher rates of abuse (sexual, emotional, verbal, physical) than non-autistic adults. Autistic youths are 3-4 times more likely to experience sexual victimization.

• Higher Rates of Mental Health Issues: Autistic people are more likely to experience mental health issues relating to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to non-autistic people.

And Many, Many More Issues…

If you want a glimpse into more potential comorbidities related to autism, check out my article Autism & Other Comorbidities.

Examining Steven and Lyle again, can we really say that Steven isn't deserving of any support at all, considering all of the potential issues that come with being autistic? Or is it more fair to say that there clearly aren't enough resources to support autistic people and their families as things are now and we need more resources going forward?

Profound Change is Needed

If we want to make life better for autistic individuals, we as a society are going to need to step up. We need organizations that don't just dabble into seeking a "cure" for autism but rather those that support the autistic people that are here now, who are just trying to survive, who are struggling, and who are unfortunately dying far earlier than they should be, either by suicide or other comorbid illnesses.

It's not about who doesn't "look autistic" or who isn't "disabled enough." It's about what tangible resources and support we can provide to autistic people at any level. Some people with profound autism might need more support than others, and that's totally fine. But let's not forget the Stevens of the world and everyone else in-between: we are people who are also struggling and we need support as well.

Thanks for Reading!

Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to spend some time with me! I encourage all of my readers to RISE (Reflect, Improve, Strengthen, & Evolve) with me because healing is a lifelong journey; it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. You are loved, cherished, and valued. Don’t ever let anyone ever convince you otherwise.

My commitment to bringing you FREE, well-researched, and comprehensive content means I spend considerable time and effort writing each article or post without compensation.

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I believe in keeping my content accessible to everyone, without paywalls, because I know the work I do matters. For that reason, I’m beyond grateful for any financial support! If you'd like to support me and my work, check out my art website at AriesArtwork.com to bring home something unique or find a gift for that special someone in your life:

I’ll see you again when I’ve got a new info-dump for you, my Newtistics Crew!

—Skylar Aries

You've probably heard of the term masking before, but what does that mean? Does everyone mask, or just autistics? Is masking a good or a bad thing? In this article, I'll address some of the most common questions and topics related to masking and provide studies and resources to back up my claims, as I always do.

What is Autistic Masking?

Masking (as it relates to autism) is a term for the way in which some autistics change and adapt their behavior in order to avoid judgment, rejection, and/or bullying. It's also used to help facilitate social connections, succeed in the workplace, and to fit in with peer groups.

The terms masking and camouflaging are often used interchangeably, although some argue that there is a difference. For the purposes of this article, I'll mostly stick to the term masking.

Most People Mask Sometimes

Most people are capable of masking, and indeed do in certain situations. For example, you probably have a way of speaking at your job that is different than the way you might speak when with your friends. You probably don't use a bunch of curse words and slang while working at your job, but you might use those words and phrases while speaking with friends. Additionally, you might text your close friends differently than you would text your boss or coworkers (which is sometimes referred to as code switching). These are a few examples of masking that most people engage in at some point during their lives. Autistic masking, however, is different -- both in its pervasiveness and impact.

Normal Masking vs. Autistic Masking

Think again about the times that you might've had to mask or interact differently with people depending on the situation. Was that easy to do? Probably not, because studies have shown that it not only takes mental and physical effort to mask, but there is also a negative impact on the person doing the masking.

Now, imagine that you have to mask for every single social interaction that you have: at school, at work, at the grocery store, with colleagues, with friends, and perhaps even with your family. Before you speak to anyone, you have to carefully consider your words, tone, and facial expressions, and figure out which topics will be deemed "appropriate" for the conversation. How quickly would you become exhausted from doing all of this all the time? And you'd better be able to process all that information very quickly because if you stand there saying nothing, people will think you're weird — or worse yet, stupid.

Of course, some autistic people are lucky enough to have people in their lives that they are able to unmask around. For many autistics though, and especially those who are undiagnosed, they may not even be aware that they're masking constantly; all they know is that they feel extremely drained after social situations, or exhausted and fatigued all the time without having an easily identifiable reason. For other autistic people, masking may even become a permanent or semi-permanent fixture in their lives.

Masking is also the reason that some people don't "look autistic," as some like to say. We mask to seem normal or neurotypical, so of course by masking, we aren't going to seem as autistic as we actually are.

Automatic vs. Manual Transmission

Another metaphor I've seen for the masking phenomenon is comparing it to an automatic versus a manual transmission (stick shift) when it comes to driving a car.

An automatic (neurotypical) transmission does the work for you. All you have to do is put the car in drive, and off you go! You don't have to touch the shift again until you're ready to put the car in park.

For autistics, our social engagement is more like a manual transmission. We have to constantly change gears depending on speed and the road conditions, which means we're constantly monitoring everything going on around us. That doesn't mean we can't drive or are bad drivers — rather, that it requires more effort, focus, and attention to make sure the drive is safe and smooth.

So, whereas someone driving an automatic car only has to touch the gear shifter once or twice to go to the grocery store (to put the car in drive and then in park again), an autistic person might have to keep their hand constantly on the stick shift, changing gears several times per minute for the exact same route to the exact same store.

Unfortunately, autistic people are then often told by many people who only drive automatics (and who have never even driven a stick shift) that driving is "so simple," doesn't require "that much focus," and we autistic people must be "overreacting" or "sensitive" if we think that driving is draining. There is no acknowledgement of how much more difficult it can be to drive a manual transmission, and we receive only harsh judgments that we aren't "trying hard enough" and that we're "complaining about nothing."

Masking Causes Fatigue and Exhaustion

You might be able to mask constantly for a little while, but doing it all the time is what leads a lot of autistic people to burnout — a topic I'll cover in a later article. This is part of the reason that a lot of autistic people get so drained from seemingly simple social situations.

Masking requires a ton of physical and emotional effort, and it's not just in our heads, either. Many studies have been conducted on autistic masking and camouflaging, often revealing a plethora of negative short- and long-term effects on both autistic non-autistic people:

• "In the short term, camouflaging results in extreme exhaustion and anxiety; although the aims of camouflaging are often achieved, in the long-term there are also severe negative consequences affecting individuals’ mental health, self-perception, and access to support" (Hull et al., 2017).

• "Thematic analysis revealed that some aspects of masking are shared across autistic and nonautistic people, such as utilizing mimicry of others as a social strategy or feeling exhausted from masking. All groups reported that masking made them feel disconnected from their true sense of identity and had a negative effect on them. Other aspects of masking seemed more specific to autistic people, such as sensory suppression, and masking leading to suicidal ideation" (Miller et al., 2021).

• "Experts by experiences defined autistic burnout as: a severely debilitating condition with onset preceded by fatigue from camouflaging or masking autistic traits, interpersonal interactions, an overload of cognitive input, a sensory environment unaccommodating to autistic sensitivities and/or other additional stressors or change" (Arnold et al., 2023).

"Can't You Just Stop Masking?"

This is a common question I hear from people once they understand masking and the negative impact it has on neurotypical and neurodivergent people alike. "Can't you just stop doing it, then?" Therein lies one of the biggest issues with masking, at least from this author's perspective.

Yes, we know that masking is harmful. However, when we don't mask, we're often treated very poorly. Below are some responses that I've personally received when I've stopped masking, either because I was too exhausted to continue or because I was encouraged to start to try to unmask:

• "Are you upset? You seem upset."

• "Why do you look angry?"

• "Are you mad at me?"

• "You must be tired."

• "Why aren't you talking?"

• "Are you unhappy?"

• "You need to fix your face."

• "Do you not like me?"

I'm sure I'm not alone in my experiences, or in the questions and comments that I often get bombarded with whenever I even attempt to unmask. So, on one hand, we're encouraged to unmask. On the other, we get treated poorly when we do attempt to unmask.

For me and many others like me, we choose to maintain the mask because it makes it easier to be accepted in society, although it comes at the cost of our own well-being. Other autistic people choose not to mask (or don't have the capacity to) and are subsequently ostracized for being "strange" or "weird" by most people. It's a double-edged sword, to be sure.

How Can You Help?

If someone close to you is trying to unmask, the best way to help them is to ask them what you can do. Every autistic person is different and may prefer a different method for understanding them better.

If you want some more concrete examples, I can only speak for myself, but I typically ask that my friends and loved ones don't read too much into my facial expression — or more typically the lack thereof. I ask that they don't doubt my sincerity even if my tone or chosen words aren't what a "normal" person might use. I ask them not to make thin-slice judgments about how I might be feeling about an issue and to instead ask me directly instead of making assumptions.

Communicating openly and honestly is a preferred means of communication for a lot of autistic people, so if you aren't sure, just ask. Most of us are more than happy to offer potential solutions and work together toward mutual understanding.

Thanks for Reading!

Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to spend some time with me! I encourage all of my readers to RISE (Reflect, Improve, Strengthen, & Evolve) with me because healing is a lifelong journey — it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. You are loved, cherished, and valued. Don’t ever let anyone ever convince you otherwise.

My commitment to bringing you FREE, well-researched, and comprehensive content means I spend considerable time and effort writing each article or post without compensation.

Want to Support Me?

The simplest FREE way you can support me is by subscribing, sharing, or leaving a comment:

Subscribe now

Share New Autistic

Leave a comment

I believe in keeping my content accessible to everyone, without paywalls, because I know the work I do matters. For that reason, I’m beyond grateful for any financial support! If you'd like to support me and my work, check out my art website at AriesArtwork.com to bring home something unique or find a gift for that special someone in your life:

I’ll see you again when I’ve got a new info-dump for you, my Newtistics Crew!

—Skylar Aries