Autism and mental health

During this World Autism Acceptance Week, our focus is on raising awareness for the 700,000 individuals in the UK who live with autism. Our goal is to educate those who may not be familiar with the condition and to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for those who are affected by it.

Autism is not a mental health problem. It’s a developmental condition that affects how you see the world and how you interact with other people. Find out more about autism, how it can affect your mental health, and where to get support if you need it.

What is autism?

Autism is a neurological difference that affects the way the brain functions. It is not a disease or illness, and it can either be present from birth or develop in early childhood. While autism cannot be cured or treated as a medical condition, some individuals may require assistance with certain tasks or activities.

Autism and mental health

Autism can affect an individual’s mental health just like anyone else, and research by the autism charity Autistica has found that seven out of ten autistic people have a mental health issue, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or OCD.

While the exact reason for this is not clear, it may be due to the challenges that autistic people face, some of which may be:

• Challenges in understanding and communicating emotions
• Heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli
• Difficulty with unexpected changes
• Strong interests in particular topics
• Challenges in interpreting body language, sarcasm, and facial expressions

It’s important to note that experiencing one or more of these traits doesn’t necessarily mean that someone is autistic. However, if these traits are consistently present and affecting an individual’s daily life, they may consider speaking to their GP about seeking a formal diagnosis.

Looking after your mental health

If you are on the autistic spectrum, just the same as any young person, it is vital that you get professional help when you need it. But it’s equally important to look after yourself. We recommend regular exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep and talking things through with people you know and trust.

You might find unexpected changes very stressful, so trying to keep daily routines as predictable as possible and this will help you to reduce anxiety.