Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism in Children and Teens

Autism may become more noticeable during childhood or adolescence as social and environmental expectations increase. Many autistic children and teens have deep interests, creativity, honesty, and unique ways of understanding the world.

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At the same time, they may experience challenges such as:

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• Difficulty navigating social expectations
• Sensory sensitivities to noise, light, or texture
• Strong interests or focused passions
• Challenges with transitions or unexpected changes
• Emotional overwhelm or shutdowns
• Feeling misunderstood by peers or teachers

Therapy focuses on helping young people better understand their emotional and sensory experiences, develop regulation skills, and communicate their needs while protecting their sense of identity and confidence.

Autism in Adults and Late Diagnosis

Many autistic adults were not identified in childhood. This is especially common for women, people of color, and individuals who learned to mask their differences early in life.

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Adults often seek therapy because of experiences such as:

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• Chronic social exhaustion
• Burnout from years of masking
• Sensory overwhelm
• Difficulty maintaining friendships
• Workplace stress
• Anxiety or depression that hasn’t fully resolved
• Feeling “different” but not knowing why

Many autistic adults come to therapy after years of feeling misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or exhausted from trying to meet expectations that never quite fit.

Receiving an autism diagnosis later in life can bring relief, grief, clarity, and new questions. Therapy can provide space to process these experiences and develop a more compassionate understanding of yourself.

Masking and Burnout

Many autistic individuals learn to mask, or hide aspects of themselves, in order to navigate social expectations and feel safer in environments that may not fully understand neurodivergence.

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Masking might involve suppressing stimming behaviors, rehearsing conversations, or constantly monitoring social cues. Over time, this effort can lead to:

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• Exhaustion
• Identity confusion
• Increased anxiety
• Shutdowns or meltdowns
• Burnout

Therapy can help clients better understand their needs, reduce masking when possible, and create environments that require less constant effort.

Autism-Affirming Therapy

Our approach is grounded in neurodiversity-affirming care. The goal of therapy is not to eliminate autistic traits, but to support wellbeing, self-understanding, and self-advocacy.

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Therapy may focus on:

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• Emotional regulation
• Sensory self-advocacy
• Navigating relationships
• Workplace or school challenges
• Boundary-setting
• Processing past experiences of misunderstanding
• Integrating identity following diagnosis

We also consider sensory and communication needs in therapy sessions, including pacing, processing time, and communication styles that feel comfortable for each client.

Autism is not something that needs to be fixed. Therapy focuses on helping you better understand your brain, advocate for your needs, and build a life that works for you.