Autism in Adulthood
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autisminadulthood.bsky.social
Autism in Adulthood
@autisminadulthood.bsky.social
Autism in Adulthood is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes research and scholarship on the most pressing issues affecting autistic adults. www.liebertpub.com/aut.

EIC: @cnicolaidis.bsky.social
Social Media Editors: @avanicole23.bsky.social
Mazefsky et al (2025) shows how autism researchers can design studies that will identify new areas for suicide prevention and intervention by adopting a multi-method, dimensional approach to mental health.

@pittreaact.bsky.social

FREE until 24th December

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Advancing Research on Suicide and Mental Health in Autistic Adults Through a Research Domain Criteria-Inspired Framework | Autism in Adulthood
Given the dearth of research on adulthood in autism prior to the last decade, we need methods to accelerate progress. One area of interest is mental health, but studies focusing on isolated methods or...
www.liebertpub.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:52 AM
DON'T MISS this qualitative analysis which found that autistic adults face a conflict between balancing their desire for social connection with their limited energy for engaging in social experiences.

FREE until 25th November

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
November 24, 2025 at 2:27 PM
DON'T MISS this article by @tmburns08.bsky.social @drmbothapsych.bsky.social @durhampsych.bsky.social who found that autistic people had more distress and conflict around their identity and poorer mental health than non-autistic people.

FREE until November 25th
In an online survey by @tmburns08.bsky.social @drmbothapsych.bsky.social @durhampsych.bsky.social, autistic people had more distress and conflict around their identity and poorer mental health than non-autistic people.

FREE until November 25th

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Who Am I: The Balance Between Masking and Identity | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Autistic people experience worse mental health outcomes than non-autistic people. Masking (concealing autistic traits) is found to relate to poor mental health. Research shows that autistic people indicate relationships between masking and difficulties creating or maintaining a sense of identity. Personal identity is rarely studied within autism research. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring the connection between identity formation difficulties (both social and personal) and its impact on poor mental health in autistic people. It examines levels of identity conflict and distress in autistic and non-autistic people and whether identity distress mediates and identity conflict moderates the relationship between masking and psychological distress. Method: Data were collected for autistic (n = 139) and non-autistic people (n = 133) using an online survey. Results: Autistic people were found to experience higher levels of identity distress, conflict, and psychological distress. Identity distress represents a full mediation of the relationship between masking and psychological distress in the autistic cohort, but a partial mediation in the non-autistic cohort. Identity conflict did not moderate any relationships within the model for either cohort. However, it did have a significant direct relationship with masking identity distress and psychological distress. Conclusions: These findings suggest that autistic people may experience worse mental health outcomes due to difficulties with cohesive identity formation. Additional research into the role of autism in identity development may identify other areas in which identity difficulties negatively impact autistic people, such as long-term planning and suicidality.
www.liebertpub.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
In this essay, Keita Edwards-Adams offers personal insight into the experience of menopause through an autistic lens:

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...

FREE until 25th November
Menopause Through an Autistic Lens | Autism in Adulthood
Autism in Adulthood
www.liebertpub.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Reposted by Autism in Adulthood
Our paper has recently been published in @Autism in Adulthood:
“Trapped in a No-Win Situation”: A Qualitative Exploration of Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Loneliness
tinyurl.com/2yeuch6j @craeioe.bsky.social @ioe.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk @lauramaycrane.bsky.social @annaremington.bsky.social
“Trapped in a No-Win Situation”: A Qualitative Exploration of Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Loneliness | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Loneliness is a major public health concern, affecting individuals’ mental and physical health. Autistic adults self-report higher levels of loneliness compared with non-autistic adults, y...
www.liebertpub.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Reposted by Autism in Adulthood
New CRAE Research Summary
Grace et al. (2025). ‘Trapped in a no-win situation’: A qualitative exploration of autistic adults’ experiences of loneliness.

Loneliness is more than lack of connection.
@kanabaletti.bsky.social
“Trapped in a no-win situation”
Loneliness is a common emotion experienced by many, but previous research indicates higher rates of loneliness within the autistic adult community. Led by Kana Grace, an autistic researcher, this s…
crae.ioe.ac.uk
November 1, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Reposted by Autism in Adulthood
New research into how autistic masking can be detrimental to mental health and lead to more identity confusion.
In an online survey by @tmburns08.bsky.social @drmbothapsych.bsky.social @durhampsych.bsky.social, autistic people had more distress and conflict around their identity and poorer mental health than non-autistic people.

FREE until November 25th

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Who Am I: The Balance Between Masking and Identity | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Autistic people experience worse mental health outcomes than non-autistic people. Masking (concealing autistic traits) is found to relate to poor mental health. Research shows that autistic people indicate relationships between masking and difficulties creating or maintaining a sense of identity. Personal identity is rarely studied within autism research. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring the connection between identity formation difficulties (both social and personal) and its impact on poor mental health in autistic people. It examines levels of identity conflict and distress in autistic and non-autistic people and whether identity distress mediates and identity conflict moderates the relationship between masking and psychological distress. Method: Data were collected for autistic (n = 139) and non-autistic people (n = 133) using an online survey. Results: Autistic people were found to experience higher levels of identity distress, conflict, and psychological distress. Identity distress represents a full mediation of the relationship between masking and psychological distress in the autistic cohort, but a partial mediation in the non-autistic cohort. Identity conflict did not moderate any relationships within the model for either cohort. However, it did have a significant direct relationship with masking identity distress and psychological distress. Conclusions: These findings suggest that autistic people may experience worse mental health outcomes due to difficulties with cohesive identity formation. Additional research into the role of autism in identity development may identify other areas in which identity difficulties negatively impact autistic people, such as long-term planning and suicidality.
www.liebertpub.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:57 AM
A qualitative analysis by @kanabaletti.bsky.social et al found that autistic adults face a conflict between balancing their desire for social connection with their limited energy for engaging in social experiences.

FREE until 25th November

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
“Trapped in a No-Win Situation”: A Qualitative Exploration of Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Loneliness | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Loneliness is a major public health concern, affecting individuals’ mental and physical health. Autistic adults self-report higher levels of loneliness compared with non-autistic adults, y...
www.liebertpub.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:26 AM
In an online survey by @tmburns08.bsky.social @drmbothapsych.bsky.social @durhampsych.bsky.social, autistic people had more distress and conflict around their identity and poorer mental health than non-autistic people.

FREE until November 25th

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Who Am I: The Balance Between Masking and Identity | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Autistic people experience worse mental health outcomes than non-autistic people. Masking (concealing autistic traits) is found to relate to poor mental health. Research shows that autistic people indicate relationships between masking and difficulties creating or maintaining a sense of identity. Personal identity is rarely studied within autism research. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring the connection between identity formation difficulties (both social and personal) and its impact on poor mental health in autistic people. It examines levels of identity conflict and distress in autistic and non-autistic people and whether identity distress mediates and identity conflict moderates the relationship between masking and psychological distress. Method: Data were collected for autistic (n = 139) and non-autistic people (n = 133) using an online survey. Results: Autistic people were found to experience higher levels of identity distress, conflict, and psychological distress. Identity distress represents a full mediation of the relationship between masking and psychological distress in the autistic cohort, but a partial mediation in the non-autistic cohort. Identity conflict did not moderate any relationships within the model for either cohort. However, it did have a significant direct relationship with masking identity distress and psychological distress. Conclusions: These findings suggest that autistic people may experience worse mental health outcomes due to difficulties with cohesive identity formation. Additional research into the role of autism in identity development may identify other areas in which identity difficulties negatively impact autistic people, such as long-term planning and suicidality.
www.liebertpub.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:17 PM
This reflexive thematic analysis explores autistic adults' experiences of attending live music 🎶
New publication on Autistic adults’ experiences of attending live music! I am really proud of this study! You can read it for free here: doi.org/10.31219/osf...
November 4, 2025 at 8:56 PM
"Are Universities Ready to Support Autistic Students? A Call to Increase Coordinated Campus Efforts" by Blaskowitz et al advocates for university departments to enhance #inclusion and support for #autistic students.

READ shorturl.at/EgzlU
Are Universities Ready to Support Autistic Students? A Call to Increase Coordinated Campus Efforts | Autism in Adulthood
Over the past decade, universities have seen an increase in autistic student enrollment; however, many of these universities are not supporting autistic students to have a quality college experience. ...
shorturl.at
October 2, 2025 at 10:57 PM
DON'T MISS! Obstetric Care & Pregnancy Health in Autistic Individuals & Those with Developmental Disabilities in an Integrated Health Care Setting by Ames et al finds higher rates of pregnancy-related health challenges among autistic & DD adults

NEW FREE to Sept 4
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
September 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Obstetric Care & Pregnancy Health in Autistic Individuals and Those with Other Developmental Disabilities in an Integrated Health Care Setting by Ames et al finds higher rates of pregnancy-related health challenges among autistic & DD adults

NEW FREE to Sept 4

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
September 1, 2025 at 4:52 AM
DON'T MISS! Verbal Collaboration in Same- & Mixed-Neurotype Groups of Autistic & Non-Autistic Adults by
@sarah-foster.bsky.social et al examined verbal collaboration during a group tower-building task among autistic and non-autistic adults

NEW FREE to Aug 28
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
August 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Reposted by Autism in Adulthood
This is a neat paper continuing to build on important work on relationships & rapport for autistic adults in group settings, & continues to add to our understanding of autistic people's relationships & the double empathy problem.

#AutismResearch #ActuallyAutistic
Verbal Collaboration in Same- and Mixed-Neurotype Groups of Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults by @sarah-foster.bsky.social
et al. examined verbal collaboration during a group tower-building task among autistic and non-autistic adults (1/)

NEW FREE to Aug 28

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
August 21, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Verbal Collaboration in Same- and Mixed-Neurotype Groups of Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults by @sarah-foster.bsky.social
et al. examined verbal collaboration during a group tower-building task among autistic and non-autistic adults (1/)

NEW FREE to Aug 28

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
August 21, 2025 at 3:06 AM
A Multidimensional Model of Social Autistic Function and Its Effects on Quality of Life by Pieslinger et al examines the contributions of socail autistic traits and whether these dimensions affect the quality of life of autistic people. ‪

NEW FREE

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
August 19, 2025 at 3:15 AM
“It Was a Completely Different Lens”: Autistic Adult and Parent Perceptions of Autistic-Led Autism Information Workshops by Waddington & colleagues finds autistic-led workshops fosters connections for autistic adults & parents.

NEW FREE to July 30

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
July 30, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Content in Highly Viewed TikTok Videos by ‪@gailalvares.bsky.social‬ et al finds that autism & ADHD content on TikTok often captures lived experiences of being autistic or ADHD.

NEW FREE to Aug 1

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
July 30, 2025 at 4:38 AM
“It Was a Completely Different Lens”: Autistic Adult and Parent Perceptions of Autistic-Led Autism Information Workshops by Waddington & colleagues examines perceptions of parents of autistic people who participated in autistic-led workshops.

NEW FREE to July 30

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
July 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM
A Delphi study of neurodiversity affirming psychology practice with 28 psychologists and autistic adults by @rebeccaflower.bsky.social et al (2025) identifies seven principles for practice, including providing safety to be one’s autistic self and validation of the autistic experience.
June 26, 2025 at 2:47 PM
DON'T MISS: “How Autistic Adults Cope with Loneliness: What Helps and What Doesn’t?” by Su, Schiltz and Lord (2025), who spoke to 13 autistic adults and 5 professionals and found reaching out to others was the most helpful strategy

FREE until 20th June
June 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
DON'T MISS: "Autistic Adults’ Experiences Seeking and Receiving Support for Mental Health and Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior" by @xspcyau.bsky.social et al (2025), who explore barriers to autistic adults seeking and receiving support for mental health and suicidality

FREE until 20th June
June 19, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Au-Yeung, @shefautismres.bsky.social & Thompson (2025) explore 12 late-diagnosed autistic adult's experiences of telling others about their autism diagnosis
June 19, 2025 at 1:48 PM
DON'T MISS: “The Experience of Itch in Autistic Adults: An Online Survey” by @gtackley.bsky.social et al (2025), who find that autistic adults report greater itch severity and itch-related impact on their daily life than non-autistic adults.

FREE until 20th June

liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
June 16, 2025 at 8:59 AM