1. Lei J, Nocon AS. Are we Missing Character in Strengths-Based Approaches to Coaching and Therapy for Autistic People?. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):543-553.

The move toward a social model of disability in autism has generated more interest in “strengths-based” approaches in research and practice. Definitions of what constitutes as strengths vary, often conflating skills, talents, or interests that can be harnessed for functional purposes, such as boosting employment outcomes. While such strengths-based approaches have merits, we highlight that the limited focus on skills and talents may not be inclusive of all autistic individuals, and harnessing focused interests for functional outcomes may run the risk of turning everything an autistic individual enjoys into a therapeutic opportunity to reinforce behavior change. We propose that Character Strengths, stemming from Positive Psychology, (1) offer a shared language paradigm when communicating strengths across different stakeholder groups; (2) distinguish between an individual’s intrinsic values that motivate them to ac, and extrinsic motivations that may be more akin to social camouflaging and masking; and (3) provide a systematic way to identify and explore strengths profile within every individual. In this perspective piece, we first describe Character Strengths and the research to date in its application with autistic adults. We describe Character Strengths use in autism coaching and share practical interventions aimed at supporting autistic well-being and mental health. Finally, we propose how Character Strengths work may complement mental health treatment through reflecting on one’s personhood through strengths use, when woven into routine assessment, treatment formulation and delivery, and potential mechanisms of change.Community Brief Why is this topic important?The focus on strengths-based approaches in autism literature and practice has often been limited to skills, talents, and interests of autistic individuals that support access to employment and education. Such a focus does not capture qualities that speak to an individual’s personhood and identity beyond skills and talents, such as “love”, “kindness”, and “humour” as reported by autistic individuals and their family members. Identifying strengths that reflect individual characteristics and personal values beyond skills and talents might guide an individual’s behaviours in a meaningful way that is beneficial to themselves and others.What is the purpose of this article?We highlight that Character Strengths framework has the unique ability to provide shared language when describing an individual’s strengths from different stakeholder perspectives and across contexts (school, employment, personal life). Character Strengths can be harnessed in clinical and coaching work to help autistic individuals develop a better sense of personal identity and good mental well-being.What personal or professional perspectives do the authors bring to this topic?J.L. is a clinical psychologist and autism researcher, currently completing a clinical research fellowship on strengths-based approaches in autism. J.L. led a virtual summit together with Dr. Ryan Niemiec (Chief Scientific Officer at Values in Action Institute on Character, USA) on Character Strengths in Autism and Intellectual Disability in 2024 that attracted over 200 professionals, researchers, and autistic individuals from 18 countries. A.S.N. is an accredited professional coach with a Master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology from University of East London. A.S.N. found Character Strengths to be personally beneficial in understanding her own identity as a late-diagnosed autistic woman, and she now adopts this framework in her private autism coaching practice.What is already known about this topic?Character Strengths have been applied in research to support good mental health and well-being, although research on its use with autistic people is limited. Strengths-based approaches have been used in professional coaching in general, with growing interest and evidence of using Character Strengths to support autistic adults in exploring their personhood and identity by eveloping an awareness of their individual Character Strengths profiles.What do the authors recommend?We propose that clinicians working in mental health settings may adopt Character Strengths to complement their work, learning from the applications of this approach in coaching practices. We hope professionals working in mental health, coaching, and specialist mentoring can adopt Character Strengths language. Supporting autistic individuals to reflect on personal values in action can foster development of positive self-identity over time.How will these recommendations help autistic adults now or in the future?Through gaining an understanding of their Character Strengths, autistic individuals can develop a more coherent sense of who they are and what motivates them to act across contexts and to employ their strengths more flexibly in a way that is beneficial to themselves and others.

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2. Sader M, Maloney E, Waiter G, Kerr-Gaffney J, Tchanturia K, Gillespie-Smith K, Duffy F. Ethical Complexities and Concerns Surrounding Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Open-Access Scientific Framework in Autism Research. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):554-562.

There is an increasing demand for publicly funded research datasets to be made available for the research community. However, there are multiple issues associated with the use of accessible data, particularly in the Autistic community, where individuals have understandable reservations as to who is accessing these data, what the associated objectives are regarding the use of these data, and why there is insufficient follow-up to individuals who have offered their time to provide their data. These issues particularly extend toward brain imaging research, in which Autistic individuals have expressed long-standing ethical concerns as to how and why this research is performed. This perspective piece aims to outline concerns from the Autistic community in relation to both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the functionality of the open-access scientific framework, utilizing these approaches as examples to outline discipline-wide concerns and barriers to ethical research. This work will also address a bias in research regarding who can reasonably tolerate an MRI scan as an Autistic person and whether certain Autistic characteristics are being disproportionally highlighted and/or suppressed through these research practices. Lastly, this perspective piece will focus on methods with which MRI, open-science philosophy, and general research disciplines can improve practice to conduct ethical autism research.Community Brief Why is this topic important?Over the past 20 years, we have seen a significant increase in autism research. However, this increase in research output has not always aligned with research aims and priorities of the Autistic community. Understanding and addressing Autistic people’s concerns around research practice, including the use of brain imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the use of anonymized databases of brain images that are accessible to researchers, are required to ensure ethical research. Autistic individuals have historically faced medicalized and dehumanizing language by scientific communities, making it essential to prioritize their voices and needs in the research process.What is the purpose of this article?This perspective piece aims to shed light on the ethical complexities surrounding autism research, focusing on the understandable concerns the Autistic community has regarding MRI techniques and publicly accessible brain imaging data. For instance, only some members of the Autistic community can take part in MRI scans due to overwhelming sensory aspects associated with the process. There are also many ways with which anonymized databases of brain images could potentially be misused, or used to harm the Autistic identity, such as conducting research focusing on “treating” autism. By exploring the in-depth perspectives of Autistic individuals, this article seeks to provide recommendations for researchers and clinicians to improve their practices and conduct autism-affirming research.What personal or professional perspectives do the authors bring to this topic?The authors associated with this perspective piece are members of the Eating Disorders and Autism Collaborative (EDAC) research network, and one of the primary authors of this piece is Autistic, allowing this piece to consider a variety of lived experience and professional perspectives. EDAC conducted workshops with Autistic individuals and professionals to better understand their perspectives firsthand, which led to the generation of quotes for this article.What is already known about this topic?Existing research has highlighted concerns the Autistic community have regarding the long-term use of their data, as well as how an Autistic experience of an MRI scan significantly differs relative to a non-Autistic experience. Broad concerns have been raised about the ethical implications of research practices, including the potential for data misuse, lack of representation, and medicalization of autism.What do the authors recommend?The authors recommend several measures to improve MRI research and the use of ac essible brain imaging data to make the practice more aligned with the priorities of the Autistic community. Recommendations include reframing research objectives to focus on support rather than treatment, enhancing communication during MRI procedures, and implementing more flexible consent procedures for sharing data.How will these recommendations help Autistic adults now or in the future?By adopting these recommended practices, researchers can better respect the autonomy and preferences of Autistic individuals, leading to more inclusive and ethical research outcomes. This will not only aim to currently benefit Autistic individuals by ensuring their voices are heard but also aim to pave the way for more respectful and supportive research practices in the future.

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3. Petty S, Hanser CH, Williams JA, Hamilton LG. Sharing an Example of Neurodiversity Affirmative Hiring. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):563-570.

Hiring processes often unintentionally disadvantage neurodivergent candidates by expecting neuronormative performances without due scrutiny of their merits. We offer reflections as a neurodiverse research group on our experiences of hiring a researcher colleague while aligning with compassionate and neurodiversity affirmative frameworks. We make recommendations informed by our learning through this process. Ultimately, we are motivated to enable every candidate to demonstrate their abilities to perform the essential tasks of the job, while minimizing nonessential, and often unspoken, social, sensory, and thinking performances. Our hiring decisions differed from default practices by sharing responsibility for the interview process, making explicit the value of personal and professional experiences of neurodivergence, providing a choice of interview format, allowing the uncertainty of an encounter, providing honest feedback, and minimizing an expectation of neurodivergent disclosure or aesthetic diversity. We readdressed these details to enable each candidate to best represent themselves and minimize learned and ableist conventions. This Perspective offers a novel, critical reflection on recruitment, occupying both the hiring employer and candidate perspectives. We invite further scrutiny from researchers and hiring organizations on decisions that can unintentionally marginalize and stigmatize neurodivergent candidates, and on actions that can enable genuine equal opportunity for employment to all.Community Brief Why is this topic important?Neurodivergent people should be part of workplaces. The ways in which we hire researchers can exclude neurodivergent applicants, sometimes unintentionally. Neurodivergent people then have too little say over research, including who participates and which research methods are used. We describe practical steps that employers may want to follow to make hiring processes fairer for neurodivergent candidates.What is the purpose of this article?This article encourages researchers and employers to demonstrate “compassionate” and “neurodiversity affirmative” hiring practices. This means giving all candidates equal opportunity for employment, including neurodivergent candidates.What personal or professional perspectives do the authors bring to this topic?We wrote this article as a research group of mixed neurotypes. We offer reflections from both job applicants and employers in a university setting to share honest and personal experiences of hiring.What is already known about this topic?Neurodivergent people do not have fair opportunities for employment. Employment statistics show that many capable and motivated neurodivergent people are not in suitable jobs. Limited workplace opportunities can have negative impacts on physical and mental well-being. A growing body of research has explored barriers that affect neurodivergent people in workplaces and shows that they rarely provide supportive adjustments and often have unsuitable sensory environments and unsupportive cultures. Relatively little literature has focused on all stages of the recruitment process, from the kinds of employment opportunities offered, through advertising, shortlisting, and interviewing of candidates. There is a gap in understanding how organizations can be more inclusive in how they recruit neurodivergent employees.What do the authors recommend?Employers should: reflect honestly on the reasons for hiring and design a role based on essential tasks; write in job advertisements that difference and varied expertise is welcomed, but that applicants do not need to share any diagnoses if they do not want to; offer choice over the interview process, including the location, format, sensory environment, and presentation style; share interview questions in advance; invite conversation about the interview process so that everybody can learn about what is working well; show compassion and support of vulnerabilities and discomforts; make clear that differences in communication style are accepted and do not need to be adjusted; and provide feedback after the interview.We recommend these changes so that every candidate can show their abilities to do the job, without having to perform in the limited ways that employers often expect.How will these recommendations help autistic adults now or in the future?These recommendations share our responsibility for making sure that neurodivergent people have fair access to recruitment processes. We ask researchers and employers to look at the unnecessary expectations placed on job applicants and remove these barriers so that neurodivergent candidates can demonstrate their strengths. We hope these changes will help employers make informed hiring decisions that improve recruitment and, critically, retention of a neurodiverse workforce.

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4. Pagnier M, Moualla M. The Autistic Parenting Journey: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Evidence and Thematic Meta-Synthesis. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):571-592.

Background: The emerging literature about parenthood indicates specific differences in autistic individuals’ experiences compared with non-autistic ones.Methods: We conducted a systematic search of the literature across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL Complete to identify articles related to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood in autistic individuals. The search was completed on March 5, 2024, and identified 35,581 records. Inclusion criteria included the use of semistructured interviews or focus groups for data collection and interpretative phenomenological analysis or thematic analysis for data analysis as the best methods for exploring our subject.Results: After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, six articles were included in the systematic review and underwent thematic synthesis. Each study comprised between 7 and 24 autistic participants (all females except three). Their methodological quality was assessed with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool for qualitative studies. We identified three key themes as follows: 1. Parental Challenges and Adaptations; 2. Social Relations and Support; and 3. Identity and Personal Growth. Our analysis identified that autistic individuals face diverse challenges in becoming parents and parenting, including primarily sensory and communication difficulties, which impact their ability to interact with professionals and to manage daily tasks, requiring the implementation of diverse strategies and adaptations to cope. Autistic adults reported a strong emotional connection they build with their children, the need to advocate for them when they are also neurodivergent, and the difficulty in finding formal and informal support fulfilling their specific needs.Conclusion: The educational approach of autistic parents seems influenced by their autism, bringing both strengths and challenges to create, ultimately, a supportive parenting environment. The experience of becoming a parent and raising a child is described as a key step in their personal development. These findings will help autistic parents by promoting a better understanding of their experiences, challenges, and strengths by health care professionals and social workers.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Many people are diagnosed autistic as adults, and some autistic children want to become parents when they grow up. However, there are few specific supports for autistic parents. Research shows that their experience of parenthood has unique aspects, which can be both strengths and challenges.What was the purpose of this study?We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood in autistic adults. Our goal was to identify, synthesize, and analyze qualitative studies to pinpoint the strengths, challenges, and specific needs of autistic adults in this area and to propose supportive interventions.What did the researchers do?We performed a thorough search across four scientific databases to find relevant articles. We selected the applicable studies and analyzed their data by coding the results line by line. We reused codes from previous studies and created new ones as necessary. We then organized these codes into related areas to develop descriptive themes and combined them into analytical themes.What were the results of the study?We identified three key themes as follows: 1. Parental Challenges and Adaptations; 2. Social Relations and Support; and 3. Identity and Personal Growth. We found that autistic individuals encounter several challenges in becoming parents and raising children, mainly due to sensory and communication difficulties. These issues affect their interactions with professionals and their management of daily tasks. Despite this, autistic adults report deep emotional connections with their children, a strong need to advocate for them, and difficulties in finding adequate support. Their parenting style, shaped by their autistic traits, presents both strengths and challenges. They view parenthood as a major milestone in their personal gro th.What do these findings add to what was already known?Our work identifies and describes the unique strengths, challenges, and needs of autistic adults in their parenting journey. It allows us to propose interventions to support autistic parents and highlights areas for future research.What are the potential weaknesses in the study?As a qualitative literature review, our study did not include data from quantitative or mixed-method studies. By focusing on studies using the most adequate methodology, we may have missed some other qualitative studies offering new insights. Some participants were included based on self-reported diagnoses rather than confirmed by a mental health professional. In addition, the studies included very few men and no autistic parents with intellectual disability or borderline intellectual ability, which limits the generalizability of our findings to these populations.What do the authors recommend for future research on this topic?Study the parenting experiences of autistic men, focusing on how sensory challenges affect their involvement with their children. Assess the importance of support from relatives and strategies to mobilize it. Describe the parenting style of autistic parents to enhance professional understanding and reduce bias. Identify obstacles to parenthood for autistic adults to develop suitable support. Examine the prevalence of autism in the children of autistic adults, which appears significant but remains unexplored.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?These findings highlight the challenges autistic adults face in parenting and suggest interventions to support them. They also help counteract biases among health care professionals and society, fostering better understanding and support for autistic parents.

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5. Bottein L, Hamilton AFdC. Patterns of Gaze Behavior During Live Interactions in Adults and Adolescents with Autism or High Autistic Traits: A Systematic Review. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):593-605.

Background: Differences in social gaze are part of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum condition (ASC), but most studies examining gaze in individuals with autism or high autistic traits use computerized methods that bear little resemblance to authentic conversations. Progress in eye tracking now allows the use of live interaction paradigms. We report a systematic review of this emerging literature.Methods: Using a combination of academic search engines (Google Scholar, OVID, Connected Papers) and backwards citation searches, we identified fourteen studies that explored social gaze in adults and adolescents with autistic traits or an ASC diagnosis, using a live or believed-to-be-live interaction and modern eye-tracking technology.Results: Studies showed mixed results: when gaze is localized to broad regions (face, body, and background), patterns appear similar in all participants. However, when gaze is localized to precise regions (eyes, mouth, and nose) more group differences exist. Specifically, gaze to the eyes seems somewhat consistently reduced in individuals with autism or autistic traits. However, these participants appear to modulate their gaze according to contextual factors, similar to typically developing individuals (e.g., looking less toward the face when speaking than listening).Conclusion: We discuss these results in relation to two dominant theories of autism: low social motivation and aversion to the eyes. The finding that individuals with autism or autistic traits seem to specifically avoid the eyes but show facial orienting and gaze modulation similar to typically developing individuals lends supplemental support to aversive rather than motivational theories of ASC.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?The idea that autistic people make less eye contact than non-autistic people is very common, but it has not often been studied in detail. Most research on the subject has recorded people’s gaze when they see photos and videos, not when they see real people during a real interaction. Gaze during a real interaction might be different, because it allows people to send social signals with their eyes. In fact, non-autistic adults often look at their partners’ eyes and face less during a real interaction compared with a video. This means researchers should study autistic individuals’ eye contact during real interactions, because it may be different compared with looking at photos and videos.What was the purpose of this study?In this article, the researchers review recent studies that use modern eye-tracking technology to explore eye contact in adults and adolescents with an autism diagnosis or with autistic traits during a real (or believed to be real) conversation.What were the results of the study?The researchers found that existing studies use many different kinds of methods and measures, too many to be able to compare them directly. It is therefore difficult to draw very strong conclusions, but they suggest that autistic individuals seem to look specifically less toward the eyes of the people they are speaking with, when compared with non-autistic individuals. However, it appears that autistic and non-autistic people look at the faces of their conversation partner to a similar extent. Furthermore, both groups seem to adjust where they look based on context, looking less at their partner when talking than when listening.What do these findings add to what was already known?There is an ongoing debate regarding whether autistic individuals’ reduced eye contact is better explained by (1) not being motivated to look at their conversation partner or (2) being overwhelmed when making direct eye contact specifically. This review supports the second explanation, since autistic individuals seem to look at the face of their conversation partner just as much as non-autistic individuals.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?Eye contact is an important social tool that allows people to communicate and collect information from the people they speak to. Understand ng if autistic individuals differ in their eye contact can help with understanding how autism works and whether autistic or non-autistic people should try to learn to use eye contact differently in conversations.

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6. Gibbs V, Cai RY, Love A, Edwards C, Al Ansari M. Unheard Voices: A Systematic Literature Review of Studies Using Self-Report Methods to Gather the Perspectives of Autistic Adults with Intellectual Disability. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):606-622.

Background: Autistic individuals with intellectual disability remain significantly underrepresented in research, particularly in studies that capture their lived experiences through self-report methods. This systematic review critically examines existing research employing self-report methods in studies where the focus is on autistic adults who have intellectual disability, evaluating the scope of this research, the self-report measures used, and the extent of community involvement.Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched PsycINFO, Scopus, MEDLINE, ERIC, CINAHL, and Web of Science for studies published between January 2013 and July 2023. We conducted a narrative synthesis to evaluate study characteristics, the use of self-report measures, and the involvement of autistic individuals and their communities in the research process.Results: Only 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority focused narrowly on evaluating interventions, with little attention paid to exploring the broader lived experiences of autistic adults with intellectual disability. We identified 24 self-report measures, yet only two had been validated specifically for individuals with intellectual disability. Furthermore, less than half of the remaining measures reported the use of any adaptations or accommodations such as visual aids or simplified language. Alarmingly, community involvement was almost entirely absent, with no studies incorporating co-production with autistic individuals.Conclusions: This review reveals a critical and urgent need for autism research that genuinely includes and represents autistic adults with intellectual disability. It is imperative that future research prioritizes the development and rigorous validation of accessible self-report tools, expands its focus beyond intervention outcomes, and commits to the meaningful involvement of autistic individuals throughout the research process. Addressing these profound gaps is essential for building an equitable and inclusive body of knowledge that fully recognizes and responds to the diverse experiences within the autistic community.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Autistic people with intellectual disabilities are often left out of research that tries to understand the experiences of autistic individuals. Because of this, their unique needs and challenges might not be fully understood or considered when creating support services. Most research relies on the opinions of parents, teachers, and clinicians instead of hearing directly from autistic people, especially those with intellectual disabilities.What is the purpose of the review?This study aimed to look at research that directly asks autistic adults with intellectual disabilities about their own experiences. The researchers wanted to see how much research exists, what tools have been used to collect views, and whether autistic individuals and their communities are involved in the research process.What did the researchers do to review the literature?The researchers reviewed studies from 2013 to 2023 that focused on autistic adults with intellectual disabilities. They looked at how the studies were done, the tools used to gather information, and how much autistic individuals were involved in the research.What studies did the authors find?The review found 14 studies that met the criteria. Most of these studies were aimed at evaluating specific programs or treatments rather than exploring broader life experiences. Out of 24 tools used, only 2 were specifically designed for people with intellectual disabilities. There was very little involvement of autistic individuals in shaping the research. Many studies did not explain how they made the tools easy to use for people with intellectual disabilities.In summary, what did those studies show?This study shows that there is still a big gap in research that includes autistic adults with intellectual disabilities. More work is needed to create be ter tools for gathering their views, and they should be more involved in the research process to make sure their voices are heard.What are the remaining gaps in the literature?With just 14 studies identified that used self-report measures with autistic adults, it is clear that we need to know more about their views on a range of areas especially their support needs and priorities, and how to improve their quality of life, from their perspective.Based on this review, what do the authors recommend?Future research should include these adults’ own perspectives to understand their needs and priorities better. This means using methods that allow them to share their experiences directly instead of relying mainly on caregivers or others to speak on their behalf. Researchers also need to use self-report measures more often, especially for topics such as quality of life and well-being, where it’s essential to capture the person’s own viewpoint.

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7. Kirby AV, Bilder DA, Nicholls C, McMahon WM, Bakian AV. Using State Administrative Data to Examine Aspects of Autistic Adult Life: A Comparative Analysis of Identification, Voting, Marriage, and Parenting. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):623-633.

Background: Existing outcomes research on autistic adulthood focuses primarily on certain aspects of adult life (e.g., employment) and is limited by methods that are often not representative of whole populations. In the current study, we aimed to use available state administrative data to examine frequencies of receiving state identification, voting, marriage/partnership, and parenting.Methods: In this cross-sectional, population-based study, we accessed Utah state administrative data for 7404 autistic adults born from 1970 to 2002 and matched 1:3 to non-autistic adults (N = 22,213). We identified proportions of documentation of ever achieving each outcome (state identification, voting, marriage/partnership, parenting) and differences by group, sex, race, ethnicity, and co-occurring intellectual disability.Results: Autistic adults were less likely to have state identification (54.9% vs. 97%, p < 0.001) and to vote (39.4% vs. 51.9%, p < 0.001). However, among only those who had state identification, autistic adults were more likely to vote (55.2% vs. 53.1%, p < 0.05). Autistic males were more likely than autistic females to have state identification and equally likely to vote. Autistic females were more likely than males to be married/partnered and to have offspring. We also observed that married/partnered autistic adults were more likely to divorce than married/partnered non-autistic adults (21.0% vs. 6.1%, p < 0.001). When they had offspring, autistic adults had slightly fewer children on average than non-autistic adults (1.69 vs. 2.00, p < 0.001). There were also racial and ethnic group differences among autistic adults across outcomes. In a subset of the data, individuals with co-occurring intellectual disability were less likely than other autistic Utahns to achieve each studied outcome.Conclusion: We found significant differences, indicating that autistic adults are less engaged in multiple aspects of adulthood than their non-autistic peers. Findings point to the need for efforts to better support autistic adult self-determination and to address barriers to achieving the studied outcomes, when desired by autistic individuals.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Studies on autistic adult outcomes usually focus on certain areas of adulthood, such as employment. There are also very few studies that have looked at adult outcomes for a whole U.S. state population of autistic adults. State-wide administrative data can be a useful resource to use to see if autistic adults have had access to the same opportunities as non-autistic adults.What was the purpose of this study?The purpose of this study was to use statewide data to look at how many autistic adults have state identification, have voted, have been married or partnered, and have been parents. And we wanted to see if those findings differed between autistic and non-autistic adults. We also wanted to see if there were differences in the autistic population based on sex, race, ethnicity, and co-occurring intellectual disability.What did the researchers do?The researchers accessed Utah state administrative data for 7404 autistic adults and 22,213 non-autistic adults, born from 1970 to 2002. We looked to see if individuals ever had state identification (driver’s license or state ID), ever voted, ever married or partnered, and ever had offspring (children). Then we compared autistic and non-autistic groups, autistic males and females, and autistic adults based on race and ethnicity to look for any differences.What were the results of the study?Autistic adults were less likely than non-autistic adults to have state identification and to vote. However, having state identification was very important for voting. When we looked at everyone who had state identification, autistic adults with identification were more likely to vote. Autistic males were more likely than autistic females to have identification, and they were equally likely to vote. Autistic females were more likely than autistic males to be married/partnered and to parent. We also observed that ma ried/partnered autistic adults were more likely to divorce than non-autistic adults. Autistic adults had slightly fewer children on average than non-autistic adults. There were also racial and ethnic group differences across outcomes. Whether or not autistic adults had co-occurring intellectual disability also made a difference.What do these findings add to what was already known?There was very little research about how common these outcomes are for autistic adults. This study adds new knowledge about similarities and differences in state identification, voting, marriage, and parenting for autistic adults.What are potential weaknesses in the study?We were restricted in this study to the available data. We do not know about autistic people who did not have a medically documented diagnosis. We also were unable to look at potential differences related to LGBTQ+ identity or co-occurring conditions. The results might look different in other states.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?Our findings suggest that there may be reduced opportunity for autistic adults to achieve some adult outcomes, and further limited opportunities for some subgroups of autistic adults. Understanding these group differences can help direct advocacy and development of new resources to support autistic adults.

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8. Ferguson A, Martin D, Pearson A. “It Has Shown Me How Much I Am Capable Of”: An Exploration of Autistic Burnout Experiences in Motherhood. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):634-645.

Background: Research has highlighted a relationship between autistic motherhood and autistic burnout, although autistic mothers’ experiences of autistic burnout have not been explored in depth.Method: To address this research gap, we used a participatory approach and a qualitative methodology with the aim of understanding: (1) how autistic mothers experience autistic burnout in relation to their parenting role and (2) what support they need to prevent and recover from this. We recruited 13 autistic mothers via social media to participate in an online semi-structured interview. We analyzed these interviews using inductive reflexive thematic analysis.Results: We developed four main themes. Theme 1, “Depletion,” focuses on the contributory factors to autistic burnout. Theme 2, “You have to just get up and keep going,” demonstrates how autistic mothers continued to care for and maintain their relationships with their children while experiencing autistic burnout. Theme 3, “New realizations,” reveals how autistic burnout impacted autistic mothers’ self-understanding and self-awareness. Theme 4, “We need support too,” discusses the availability and accessibility of support for autistic mothers and their subsequent experiences of this. Findings highlight that autistic mothers’ difficulties associated with their autistic burnout are compounded by a lack of autism acceptance and understanding from others, although they felt that burnout did not impact their parenting capacity.Conclusions: We provide several recommendations to improve outcomes for autistic mothers, including a need for increased autistic-led training for professionals, and for the development of formal, autistic-led peer support services and community groups.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Autistic mothers experience a lot of pressures (e.g., social demands), which can be very stressful and might lead to autistic burnout (extreme exhaustion experienced by autistic people that can make it hard for them to think and act). So far, we know very little about the experience of burnout in autistic motherhood. Knowing more could help us put better support in place.What was the purpose of this study?We aimed to explore the experience of autistic burnout in motherhood.What did the researchers do?We interviewed 13 autistic mothers about their experiences of burnout. Our questions included things such as “how did you first realize you were experiencing autistic burnout?” We used an inductive, reflexive thematic analysis. This is a form of qualitative analysis where researchers look at what people have said and develop common themes (or patterns) across participants.What were the results of the study?We developed four main themes. In theme 1, “Depletion,” we focused on the things that led to autistic burnout, such as feeling responsible for too many things at home. In theme 2, “You have to just get up and keep going,” we explored how autistic mothers continue to care for their children during autistic burnout. In theme 3, “New realizations,” we looked at how autistic burnout impacted autistic mothers’ self-understanding and self-awareness. In theme 4, “We need support too,” we explored where mothers went for support, whether it was helpful, and what would make support better in the future.What do these findings add to what was already known?Our findings show how the demands of motherhood might lead to autistic burnout among autistic mothers. We found that some things involved in maternal burnout (e.g., having a lot of things to remember) are the same as in non-autistic mothers, but some aspects of autistic maternal burnout are different (e.g., our mothers reported feeling closer to their children as a result, not more distant).What are potential weaknesses in the study?We only interviewed a small number of people. While this is not an issue in qualitative research, it does mean that more research is needed to see whether our findings apply to a larger, more representative group. We did not explore the experiences of parents who do not identify as mothers, and there are likely some unique aspects to these different experiences worth investigating.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?Our findings further the understanding of the unique features of autistic burnout and contribute toward a growing evidence base that emphasizes the need for well-resourced autistic community support networks. These networks provide insider understanding and emotional support but are often reliant upon exhausted community members. We suggest that better support would include both professional aid (from well-trained professionals with a solid knowledge of autistic burnout) and community knowledge to ensure more sustainable and effective support for autistic people.

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9. Grant S, Norton S, Hoekstra RA. A Cross-Neurotype Analysis of Camouflaging and Illness Perceptions in People with Central Sensitivity Syndromes. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):646-663.

Background: Central sensitivity syndromes (CSS) are a group of conditions, including fibromyalgia, migraine, and others, that are thought to share a common mechanism of central sensitization—that is, pain and hypersensitivity that originate in the central nervous system. Research suggests that autistic adults may be more likely to have a CSS, and that autistic traits, sensory sensitivity and anxiety, all contribute to an association. This study aimed to explore whether autistic camouflaging could also be related to CSS symptoms in autistic and nonautistic adults. In addition, we completed an analysis of illness perceptions to determine whether autistic and nonautistic people may experience chronic illness differently.Methods: The sample comprised 504 adults (88 men, 416 women) with clinical diagnoses of autism, CSS, both diagnoses or neither (i.e., a comparison group), who completed online self-report validated questionnaires, including the Autism Spectrum Quotient, Central Sensitization Inventory, Sensory Perception Quotient, the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire, the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7.Results: Camouflaging significantly predicted CSS symptoms in this sample. Autistic people with a CSS had higher camouflaging scores (mean: 130.28) than the other diagnostic groups, with a significant difference between the comparison and the CSS-only group (p < 0.001). The autism-only and CSS-only groups had significantly higher camouflaging scores than the comparison group (p < 001) but not from each other (119.35 vs. 107.94). Autistic people reported a significantly more negative effect of chronic illness on their life (f (1333) = 5.289 p = 0.022); there were few other differences in illness perceptions between autistic and nonautistic people with a CSS.Conclusion: Autistic camouflaging is associated with CSS symptoms. Autistic people who receive a CSS diagnosis are particularly at risk for greater illness-related disability, including poorer quality of life and mental health.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Lots of research has demonstrated that autistic adults are more vulnerable to poor physical health and chronic illness. Autistic people seem to be more likely to have central sensitivity syndromes (CSS). Conditions listed under the CSS umbrella include fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and migraine. These conditions are considered to share a common mechanism of “central sensitization,” in which the neural signals in a person’s brain and spinal cord become amplified, causing several symptoms, including pain and sensory hypersensitivity, fatigue, and brain fog. We do not have a good understanding of why CSSs are common in autistic people, or what impact CSSs have on autistic people’s lives.What was the purpose of this study?We wanted to explore how some psychological or social factors in people’s lives might differ between autistic and nonautistic people with and without a CSS. We were particularly interested in whether there was a relationship between camouflaging, which is when people use social strategies and techniques to hide their autistic traits, and CSS symptoms. We also wanted to explore whether autistic and nonautistic people think about and perceive chronic illness differently.What did the researchers do?We used data from 504 online survey participants to compare social camouflaging scores between autistic and nonautistic people with and without a CSS. We also explored group differences in autistic and nonautistic illness beliefs between a subset of people who all had a CSS diagnosis.What were the results of the study?While autistic people camouflaged the most, nonautistic people with a CSS had higher camouflaging scores than the comparison group (nonautistic people without a CSS). This could suggest that the CAT-Q, the measure used to explore camouflaging, may also be capturing techniques that nonautistic people use in everyday life to manage others’ impressions of them, such as th ough concealing symptoms and effects of chronic illness. Alternatively, it could suggest that a significant number of autistic people receive a CSS diagnosis before autism is recognized, and that diagnostic overshadowing could be happening—that is, traits and experiences related to autism could be missed or misattributed by clinicians to an already diagnosed CSS. Autistic people with a CSS also reported a greater impact of illness on their life, even though the number of symptoms they experienced did not differ significantly from nonautistic people with a CSS. This could mean that, in addition to autistic people being more likely to experience chronic illness, the impact of chronic illness may be greater on autistic people than for nonautistic people.What do these findings add to what was already known?While it is known that autistic people are more prone to physical ill health, these findings add to our understanding of the association between autism and CSS. They also suggest that underdiagnosis of autism and/or diagnostic overshadowing could occur in people with both CSS symptoms and autistic traits, and emphasize the heavy impact of chronic illness on autistic quality of life.What are potential weaknesses in the study?The participants were recruited online with a large proportion of women responding, and more nonautistic people with a CSS than autistic people.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?These findings draw attention to the experience of autistic people with a chronic illness and suggest future directions for research into autism and co-occurring conditions.

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10. LaPoint SC, Kiernan B, Heinly J, Hector BL, Benevides TW, Maddox B. Quality of Life Defined by Autistic People: A Thematic Analysis. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):664-676.

Background: Autistic adults experience significantly lower quality of life (QoL) than non-Autistic adults. Accordingly, the autism community has identified QoL as a critical outcome for intervention research and person-centered care. However, existing QoL measures, developed without Autistic input, are often inaccessible, vulnerable to neurotypical biases, and fail to comprehensively capture the nuances of QoL as experienced by Autistic people.Methods: Our Autistic-led research team completed semistructured interviews with 25 Autistic adults living in the United States. In the present study, we use reflexive thematic analysis to identify themes in Autistic adults’ perceptions of QoL, particularly as it relates to defining Autistic Quality of Life (AQoL) for this population.Results: Based on Autistic adults’ conceptualizations of QoL, we developed the following themes: (1) QoL is a complex construct, (2) satisfaction of “needs,” (3) life is worth living, (4) emotional and physical well-being, (5) relationships in all forms, and (6) self-determination. Subthemes include components of QoL that may be unique or more common to the Autistic experience, such as the importance of having access to sensory-friendly spaces or foods, sharing a connection with animals, and being accepted by society.Conclusion: Autistic adults shared what QoL means to them and endorsed the importance of components that are not captured by existing QoL measures created by and for non-Autistic people. Results of this study have the potential to inform a novel measure of AQoL that is directly based on Autistic experiences and is co-created with Autistic people. This is a critical need identified by the autism community, as it shapes individualized approaches to care and research.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Autistic people experience lower quality of life (QoL) than non-Autistic people. However, the surveys we currently use to measure QoL might not be accurate for Autistic people because they were not developed for Autistic people, and Autistic people did not help create them.What was the purpose of this study?Our team, a group of Autistic and non-Autistic researchers, wants to create a new survey that accurately measures Autistic QoL (AQoL). To do this, we first needed to find out what QoL means to Autistic adults. That was the goal of this study.What did the researchers do?We interviewed 25 Autistic adults. Each interview lasted about an hour. We asked questions such as, “What does quality of life mean to you?” After all interviews were done, our research team identified common themes from the Autistic adults’ responses.What were the results of the study?We identified six main themes in Autistic adults’ descriptions of what QoL means to them: QoL is a complex construct—QoL can include many aspects of a person’s life and may be defined differently based upon a person’s priorities.Satisfaction of “needs” —QoL is feeling like one’s needs are being met. To some participants, this means having food, water, and shelter. Others mention needs specific to their Autistic identity (an environment that accommodates sensory differences).Life is worth living—QoL is more than having basic needs met. It is feeling satisfied or enjoying one’s life.Emotional and physical well-being—QoL is feeling mentally and physically healthy.Relationships in all forms—QoL is having meaningful relationships with people, animals, and society.Self-determination—QoL is having the freedom to make choices about things a person does, ways a person spends time, and the way a person’s identity is expressed.What do these findings add to what was already known?Autistic adults’ perspectives have largely been left out of QoL research. One important finding from this study is that although there were similarities in themes for how Autistic participants described QoL, the way it was defined and examples that were given varied widely. Having a measure with narrow options may not fully represent QoL for Autistic people. This suggests that a measure of QoL might need to include a section that is tailored to each individual and their priorities.What are potential weaknesses in the study?Autistic adults who participated in our interviews communicated through spoken language. In addition, all Autistic participants were living in the United States, and most identified as White women. Non-speaking Autistic adults, or Autistic adults living outside of the United States, or with other racial, ethnic, and gender identities might think about QoL differently than the participants in our sample.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?Our findings show that there are components of QoL that are important to Autistic people that are not included in surveys currently used to measure QoL. Knowing these components will help us create a new survey that accurately measures AQoL. It is important to have a way to accurately measure AQoL in research and care settings so that we know the strategies and therapies used are improving AQoL.

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11. Gonçalves Garcia S, da Silveira Simões-Pires C, Acosta Brum J, Centurion Cabral J. Taking Off the Mask: Investigating Autism Diagnosis and Camouflaging in Adult Women. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):677-686.

Background: Awareness and recognition of autism have grown significantly in recent years. Despite this progress, research on the diagnosis and camouflaging behaviors in adult autistic women remains limited. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the characteristics of autism in adult women, with a particular focus on understanding the role of camouflaging in the challenges these women face in obtaining a formal diagnosis.Methods: Through a cross-sectional study involving 253 autistic participants, we administered a comprehensive battery of psychological assessment instruments to collect data on autistic traits, camouflage behaviors, stress, anxiety, depression, and diagnosis/suspicion-related factors.Results: Our findings revealed that the traits and characteristics of autism did not significantly differ between women and men or non-binary individuals. However, there were significant delays in the formal identification of autism in women, who had a lower rate of early autism diagnosis compared with other genders. In contrast, women often received prior diagnoses of other psychological conditions before their autism was identified. While camouflage behaviors were significantly more common among women than men, these patterns did not directly explain the delay in suspicion and diagnosis in this population. Although camouflaging predicted higher levels of anxiety, stress, and depression, especially in women, there were no consistent associations between masking measures and early autism identification.Conclusions: These findings suggest that while camouflaging behavior may exacerbate psychological distress and make autism more invisible for women, it is not the primary factor contributing to the delayed identification. Instead, gender stereotypes and the inadequacy of clinical assessment tools tailored to more typically feminine presentations of autism are likely major obstacles in the diagnostic process.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Autistic traits are pivotal aspects of individuals’ identities, yet they are frequently misunderstood, especially in girls and women. Recognizing and diagnosing autism in women are crucial for providing self-awareness and appropriate support, when necessary, and improving their quality of life.What was the purpose of this study?This study aimed to understand the characteristics of autism in adult Brazilian women, including how they might mask their traits and the challenges they face in obtaining a formal identification.What did we do?We conducted a survey involving 253 autistic adults and used several psychological assessment tools to collect data on stress, anxiety, depression, camouflage behaviors, autism-related characteristics, and the processes of suspicion and diagnosis. By comparing data from women with those of men and non-binary individuals, we aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of autism across genders.What were the results of the study?Our research revealed that autism traits were relatively consistent across women, men, and non-binary individuals. However, women experienced more significant delays in receiving an autism diagnosis compared with other genders. It was notably more common for women to receive prior diagnoses of other psychological conditions before being identified as autistic, compared with men. Women frequently employ camouflaging behaviors more than men, but these behaviors do not appear to directly account for the delays in autism identification, although they are linked to increased feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression, especially among women.What do these findings add to what was already known?These findings highlight the complexity of identifying and diagnosing autism in women and challenge previous assumptions about the role of camouflage in diagnosis delays. The study emphasizes the need for improved awareness among health care professionals and more sensitive assessment tools to accurately identify autism in women. By addressing these challenges, we can ensure timely and accurate diagnoses, leading to be ter support and outcomes for autistic women.What are potential weaknesses in the study?While the study focused primarily on autistic women, its limitations provide insights into other overlooked populations. The small sample size for non-binary individuals limits the generalizability of the findings to this group. Future research should aim to include larger and more diverse samples to better understand the experiences of non-binary individuals on the autism spectrum.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?In summary, this study contributes to a growing body of research aimed at improving the recognition and support of autistic individuals, particularly women, in Brazil and beyond. By raising awareness of the challenges women face in receiving an autism identification, we can pave the way for better support and understanding, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all individuals on the autism spectrum.

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12. Paris K, Lodestone AZ, Houser M, Lewis LF. “Shutdowns Are Like You’re Stuck on the Blue Screen of Death”: A Metaphor Analysis of Autistic Shutdowns. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):687-697.

Background: Autistic adults commonly experience shutdowns, which are distressing events widely discussed within Autistic communities. Yet, few studies to date have explored firsthand accounts of shutdown experiences. In this study, we aimed to identify figurative language that Autistic adults use to describe shutdowns, thereby broadening the understanding of and providing language for this complex phenomenon.Methods: We used a participatory research approach to conduct a secondary analysis of qualitative data from two prior studies on shutdowns in Autistic adults. Primary studies used asynchronous interviews and a survey, with a total sample size of 86 participants. We analyzed a corpus of 87 typed pages using the Pragglejaz Group’s metaphor identification procedure to identify figurative language that Autistic adults used to describe shutdowns.Results: Autistic adults in this sample used six metaphors to explain shutdowns, including the following: being frozen, a computer crash, going inside myself, when I can’t keep up, survival mode, and playing a role.Discussion: These metaphors help to externalize the internal experience of shutdowns. Participants described shutdowns as a state of being stuck, often involving physical and/or vocal immobilization. They frequently described shutdowns as a response to perceived threats, connecting them to a sense of survival and self-protection. Metaphors provide a rich context for understanding and talking about shutdowns. Findings also highlight how Autistic adults organically construct metaphors to articulate their experiences. Future studies could use metaphor analysis to explore other affective experiences of Autistic individuals.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Many Autistic people experience shutdowns, but there is not much research on what shutdowns feel like. Studies that have looked at shutdowns found they can be hard to explain, especially to people who have not had a shutdown before. People often describe shutdowns as feeling frozen or stuck. We need to better understand shutdowns from the perspectives of people who experience them.What was the purpose of this study?We wanted to understand how Autistic adults describe shutdowns. Metaphors can help explain an experience by comparing it with something else. Our goal was to find out what metaphors Autistic adults use to describe shutdowns and if those metaphors can help explain what a shutdown feels like.What did the researchers do?In two earlier studies, we asked 86 Autistic adults about their experiences with shutdowns. Some answered questions in interviews, while others filled out surveys. Using these data, we used a method called “metaphor identification procedure,” meaning we looked for words or phrases where participants used metaphors or other figurative language to compare their experience with a shutdown with something else. Once we identified these metaphors, we grouped them together to find metaphors that summarized the experience for participants.What were the results of the study?We found six common metaphors that participants used to compare shutdowns with something else to help explain their experiences. Participants compared shutdowns with the following: being frozen, a computer crash, going inside myself, when I can’t keep up, survival mode, and playing a role.What do these findings add to what was already known?Few studies have looked at what it feels like to have a shutdown for Autistic people. Our findings add a rich description of what shutdowns feel like and add Autistic voices to the literature.What are potential weaknesses in the study?Most participants in this study were White, so we are not sure if these findings are relevant for people of other racial backgrounds. Since people needed internet access to take part in this study, we may also be missing the perspectives of people who do not have access to a computer or internet.How will these findings help Autistic adults now or in the future?These findings give non-Autistic people a better way of understanding what shutdow s are like for Autistic people. This knowledge can guide future research and help clinicians better support Autistic people who experience shutdowns.

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13. Tien I, Pearson A, Sozeri S, Seers K. “Only Boys Can be Autistic”: A Qualitative Exploration of Gender Stereotype and Socialization on the Diagnostic Journey. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):698-709.

Background: Prior research exploring phenotypic gender differences in autism suggests that females are less likely to meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, criteria and receive a diagnosis. Recent findings also propose camouflaging and gendered expectations impact diagnostic rates for those who were not socialized as males, suggesting a male-oriented stereotype and bias within the diagnostic system. As such, this article explores how the male stereotype of autism impacts the diagnostic trajectory of autistic adults.Methods: In total, 24 autistic individuals, consisting of 14 genderqueer, 8 female, and 2 male participants, shared their experiences with the diagnostic system through interviews. The research team conducted a reflexive thematic analysis using theories of gender socialization and feminist disability models.Results: Themes revealed that the male gender is inexplicitly tied to diagnostic representation of autistic individuals, failing to encompass the difficulties experiences of those socialized as females. Clinicians and family members often gave a differential interpretation of symptoms for those who did not identify as male, leading to late or missing diagnoses. Lastly, participants discussed how their socialization as a female directly led to the suppression of their autistic traits.Conclusion: These findings shed light on the pervasive impact of gender stereotypes on diagnosis and recognition of autism.Community Brief What was the purpose of this study?Research shows that girls and women are often less likely to be diagnosed with autism because their challenges can look different from those typically seen in boys. On top of that, some people may mask their difficulties to fit in, which makes spotting the signs even harder. Since many diagnostic tools and clinicians’ understanding of autism are based on the idea that it mostly affects boys, this article looks at how that stereotype creates barriers for non-male individuals to get an accurate diagnosis.What did the researchers do?We interviewed 24 autistic adults. Of these, 14 identified as genderqueer, 8 as female, and 2 as male. We used reflexive thematic analysis, a method that considers both the researchers’ identities (being autistic, etc.) and explains common themes by relating them to other research in the field about disability and gender.What were the results of the study?Our first theme showed that autism is often seen only as a “male” condition, which has led clinicians and family members to overlook the participants’ autism. In another theme, participants shared that the traits that are seen as autistic in males—like their male cousins or siblings—weren’t seen as autism in them. Overall, participants felt that their gender and the expectations that were associated with their gender impacted how they expressed their autism and how others perceived it.How will these findings help autistic adults in the future?This suggests that the diagnostic system may be even more biased than researchers originally thought and that there may be people missing diagnoses as a result.

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14. Benedetto MS. The “Dual Masking Phenomenon”: A Critical Autoethnography of an Autistic Multiracial Latina Amid the Presence of White Autistic Researchers and Self-Advocates. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):710-719.

Background: Autistic camouflage describes how autistic individuals assimilate allistic behavior for societal acceptance, while White mimicry demonstrates how non-White individuals assimilate White identities. These coping strategies, although different, are significant for non-White autistic individuals. Understanding them is crucial for mitigating racial and ethnic biases in autism research and clinical practice, emphasizing the importance of addressing ethnic and racial identity assimilation.Methods: I used a critical autoethnography aimed at advancing the decolonization of research and fostering equitable knowledge production. This approach entwined personal narratives with theoretical frameworks, transcending mere depiction. Validation of findings through peer debriefing was instrumental, while my positioning as a multiracial Latina expounded the intricate dimensions of racial identity and bias within the study’s context.Results: The findings revealed the “dual masking phenomenon” in non-White autistic individuals, encompassing both White mimicry and autistic camouflage. These complexities reveal challenges within racially influenced societal contexts, advocating for tailored support for non-White autistic individuals. Narratives unveiled prevalent tokenism, microaggressions, privilege, epistemicide, and meritocracy within predominantly White autistic environments, uncovering systemic barriers and the pressure to assimilate Whiteness to access opportunities. The study underscores the imperative to question neutrality and rectify disparities within the non-White autistic community.Discussion: The inadequacy of relying solely on autistic camouflage among non-White autistic individuals within racially influenced societal settings is highlighted. Instead, adopting traits associated with Whiteness seems to offer a more effective approach. The “dual masking phenomenon” reveals this systemic challenge—the pressure for assimilation faced by non-White autistic individuals, worsened by the prevailing systemic racism in predominantly White environments, as illustrated in the results. Recommendations include incorporating racial factors into research by racializing the experiences of White autistic individuals, educating health care professionals on racial dynamics, and fostering resilience and racial stamina, to address disparities within the non-White autistic community.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Non-White autistic individuals often do not receive the same support and recognition as White autistic people. Most research and advocacy in autism are led by White individuals, which can overlook or misrepresent the needs and experiences of non-White individuals. This study examines how being non-White affects autistic people and how they are treated differently, aiming to bring more attention and fairness to our experiences.What was the purpose of this study?To explore how being non-White affects the experiences of autistic individuals. The study aimed to find effective ways to address and reduce the differences in support and recognition between non-White and White autistic individuals.What did the researcher do?I studied my own experiences, as a multiracial Latina, and talked with other non-White activists and experts to understand how interacting with White autistic researchers and advocates in Europe affected me. I looked at how non-White autistic people might adjust their behavior to fit in and how White people might influence this.What were the results of the study? 1.The study found that non-White autistic individuals often use two strategies to fit in: one is changing their behavior to blend in with non-autistic people, and the other is changing their identities to act like White people, which adds extra challenges for them.2.It showed that having mostly White people in research and advocacy makes it harder for those with multiple marginalized identities to be recognized and supported.3.It also highlighted that pretending race is neutral when discussing autism, a common approach in research, can be harmful to non-White autistic people.What do these findings add to what was already known?These findings help us understand more about the differences in diagnosing and supporting non-White autistic people. It also points out that it is difficult to recognize non-White autistic people who try to fit in with White norms, not just those who change their behavior to mask their autism.What are potential weaknesses in the study?One weakness of the study is that focusing on my personal experiences might seem self-centered. To address this, including other research methods and a diverse group of people could give a clearer and more complete picture of the “dual masking phenomenon.”How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future? 1.Make White autistic researchers and others aware of how race and ethnicity affect non-White autistic people.2.Encourage including race and ethnicity details when talking about autistic people, which will help better understand our experiences.3.Improve how we diagnose and support non-White autistic individuals by reducing racial and ethnic biases.4.Create better support that takes into account the unique experiences of non-White autistic individuals.

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15. Khaw J, Vernon T. Relationship Satisfaction Among Autistic Populations: How Partner Neurotype Influences Relationship Satisfaction Factors for Autistic Adults. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):720-734.

Background: Autistic individuals report high levels of interest in pursuing and maintaining romantic relationships but indicate fewer and less satisfying relationships when compared with non-autistic populations. In this mixed-methods study, we investigated the self-identified factors that contribute to successful romantic relationships for autistic adults with the additional goal of understanding if and how their partners’ neurotypes may influence relationship satisfaction.Methods: We compared levels of relationship satisfaction among 106 autistic individuals by categorizing each participant into one of three groups based on the specific neurotype of their partner: (1) autistic/autistic (A/A) dyads; (2) autistic/neurotypical (A/NT) dyads; and (3) autistic/non-autistic but neurodivergent (A/ND) dyads. All participants completed a series of online surveys to gather information about their autistic traits, overall relationship satisfaction, reciprocal communication and support, and perceived impact of autism on relationships.Results: Across the three dyads, participants reported similar levels of relationship satisfaction, and we found no statistically significant differences when comparing the mean satisfaction of each sample group. Participants indicated a wide variety of positive and negative relational aspects, with a few themes changing in frequency based on partner neurotype. Participants with autistic partners tended to focus on an inherent and deep sense of understanding when discussing the positive aspects of their relationships, while those with non-autistic partners were more likely to discuss the presence of mutual support and accommodation. In addition to some differences in reported themes, participants tended to report that their autistic traits positively impacted satisfaction in A/A dyads, while those in A/NT and A/ND dyads tended to report that their autistic traits posed challenges in their relationships.Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the neurotype of an autistic individual’s partner may influence some of the reported positive and challenging aspects of their relationships. However, survey results indicate that autistic populations generally find comparable levels of satisfaction in romantic relationships irrespective of neurotype, which suggests that while partner neurotype may shape the enabling and barring factors for relationship success, it does not directly affect the overall health of a relationship. Finally, how an autistic individual perceives the impact of autism on their relationship may be affected by the neurotype of their partner.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Many autistic folks seek out and thrive in romantic relationships, but studies report that autistic people experience lower relationship satisfaction than non-autistic people. Despite this, the autism research field has made little progress toward understanding (a) why this is the case and (b) how we can better support autistic individuals who are navigating romantic relationships. To best understand what autistic people seek in relationships, we created a space where autistic participants could share their experiences without comparison with those of non-autistic people.What was the purpose of this study?We contributed to the current body of literature by learning more about what autistic people seek in relationships. We also wanted to see what they may struggle with and if these factors are influenced by whether their partner is neurotypical (referring to someone whose brain works in a way that is socially “typical”), neurodivergent (broadly referring to someone whose brain works differently from what is considered “typical”), and/or autistic. In doing this, we hope to help develop more effective ways of supporting autistic individuals who seek romantic connections.What did the researchers do?The lead researcher, J.K., developed the project based on her experiences navigating romantic relationships as an autistic person. She recruited 106 autistic participants to complete a se ies of surveys regarding relationship satisfaction. Then, participants completed free-response questions about the most positive and negative parts of those relationships. She asked how they felt autism affected their relationships and gathered these components to identify what increased and decreased relationship satisfaction.What were the results of the study?We found that autistic people are similarly satisfied in their relationships regardless of whether their partners are autistic or not. Despite this, participants consistently identified different positive and challenging factors within their relationships that tended to align with the neurotype of their partners. We found an interesting link between how autistic people view positive and negative factors in successful romantic relationships and their partners’ neurotypes.What do these findings add to what was already known?We added to a broad body of knowledge about relationship satisfaction by including a greater, more detailed consideration of autistic adults. Instead of comparing survey responses between autistic and non-autistic participants, we compared how autistic people viewed relationship satisfaction based on if their partners were autistic, non-autistic but still neurodivergent, or neurotypical.What are potential weaknesses in the study?Potential limitations include the following: (1) we recruited a low number of male-identified participants, (2) we did not collect co-occurring diagnoses and conditions from the autistic participants, and (3) we did not verify partner neurotype.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?Through this project, we were able to highlight positive communication and interpersonal skills among autistic adults. We hope that the results of this study will help autistic people and their partners find some peace and community by reading about others with similar relationship experiences. We also hope to help them further understand what factors might serve as potential strengths and weaknesses in their relationships.

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16. Kuzminski R, Black MH, Bölte S, Lawson W, Falkmer M, Philips S, Girdler S, Milbourn B. Using Photovoice to Capture the Quality of Life of the Australian Autistic Community. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):735-754.

Background: Research suggests that autistic adults experience poorer quality of life (QoL) than their non-autistic peers. However, most research to date has examined QoL in autistic adults through a neurotypical lens. Qualitatively examining QoL factors from the perspectives of autistic individuals themselves is necessary to provide more accurate insights into the nature and measurement of QoL for autistic adults.Methods: We explored factors influencing QoL from the perspective of 15 autistic adults using a participatory photovoice methodology. Participants provided 289 photos capturing the factors influencing their QoL, discussing the meaning of these photos in focus groups and interviews. A steering group of four autistic adults worked in partnership with the research team through the project, co-producing the results.Results: A thematic analysis of photographs, focus groups, and interviews captured five themes: Activities, Environment, Emotions and Experiences, Individual Identity, and Needs. These themes intersected with one another, influencing other components of QoL. Within these themes and subthemes, autistic adults discussed factors such as passions, identity, and sensory experiences that impact their QoL.Conclusion: Using photovoice, autistic individuals captured factors influencing their QoL, illuminating the factors that could be included in QoL measurement tools to help measure autistic adults’ QoL.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?The autistic community has highlighted quality of life (QoL) as an under-researched priority area. Existing research assumes that the factors contributing to QoL are the same for everyone, but few studies have sought to understand QoL from the perspective of autistic adults. Understanding what factors support autistic adults’ QoL is important for ensuring accurate assessment and providing more effective support to enhance autistic adults’ QoL.What was the purpose of this study?We aimed to understand what factors influence autistic adults’ QoL.What did the researchers do?Working with a steering group that included four autistic adults, we recruited 15 autistic adults who provided and discussed photos depicting their QoL. Participants discussed the meaning behind their photos. Participants then identified themes portrayed in their photos in a focus group or interview.What were the results of the study?Alongside steering group members, we analyzed the photos and interviews. We grouped them into the following themes: autistic adults’ activities, the impacts of the environment, emotions and experiences, individual identity, and needs. Factors that may play a role in the QoL of autistic adults include passions, autistic identity, and sensory sensitivities.What do these findings add to what was already known?These findings add to the understanding of factors influencing the QoL of autistic individuals. Many of the factors identified by autistic people are similar to those identified in recent QoL research in autism. However, some factors, such as the importance of needs like financial stability and health and disability support, were also identified. This research also helps to confirm that identity influences autistic adults’ QoL.What are the potential weaknesses of this study?The potential weakness of this study is that participants may have had difficulty capturing the factors influencing their QoL in photos. However, this method was selected to allow participants to express or demonstrate these factors beyond spoken communication. Most participants were also interviewed in a previous study before collecting photos for this study, potentially influencing the factors they highlighted or limiting the array of perspectives represented. Participants were highly educated, used spoken language as their primary communication method, and did not report an intellectual disability. Therefore, these participants are not representative of the overall autistic adult population.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?These findings help us t understand the factors influencing autistic adults’ QoL. Understanding these factors helps us to determine what factors should be represented and rated in measurement tools of QoL in autistic adults, enhancing the accuracy of these measurements.

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17. Jiang X, Cohen SR, Zeedyk SM, Brown H. Employment and Career Development Among Autistic Adults: Self and Caregiver Perceptions. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):755-767.

Background: The number of autistic individuals seeking employment has been rising, but many autistic individuals struggle to achieve optimal employment outcomes. Workplace barriers (e.g., insufficient on-the-job training) have impacted the ability of autistic adults to obtain and maintain employment. Drawing from neurodiversity-affirming practices to highlight the unique strengths that each autistic adult can bring to the workplace, we examined autistic interns and their caregivers’ perspectives regarding employment and career development.Methods: Within the context of the 2021 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics–related summer internship, researchers conducted individual interviews lasting approximately 45–60 minutes with 14 autistic interns and 17 caregivers. Researchers audio-recorded and transcribed each interview verbatim and then used a theme-based coding approach and achieved interrater agreement, with pooled Cohen’s kappa values ranging from 0.86 to 1.00.Results: Our findings indicated that autistic interns generally felt they experienced difficulty securing full-time, long-term paid positions. Despite previous jobs often not aligning with their interests, interns expressed strong motivation to obtain positions driven by their passions and goals. Although interns faced job access challenges due to a lack of relevant educational background or work experience, their strengths, such as persistence in performing job duties, could support them in obtaining and maintaining employment. Caregivers also expressed concerns about interns finding suitable employment. They felt that previous jobs did not align with the interns’ skills and believed that recognizing the interns’ potential and capabilities could help them thrive.Conclusions: Our findings suggested that employers should acknowledge the strengths of each autistic individual, as they can bring value to the workplace. Highlighting the unique characteristics of autistic individuals and creating more inclusive workplaces can help autistic individuals fulfill their potential. Researchers discuss implications for potential employers and the neurodivergent community.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Autistic individuals possess a sense of self-worth, along with strengths and skills that can add value to the workplace and should be recognized by employers. However, employers and workplaces have not provided optimal employment opportunities for this population. By listening to autistic interns’ perspectives on obtaining and maintaining employment, we sought to better understand these issues, aiming to inform ways to improve employment outcomes for autistic individuals.What was the purpose of this study?We aimed to understand the experiences of autistic interns related to obtaining and maintaining jobs. Specifically, we wanted to know what kinds of jobs autistic interns had in the past, what problems they faced in getting and keeping those jobs, and the strengths they believed they possessed. We also looked into what they hoped for in future jobs, such as the kind of work they want to do and the skills necessary for those jobs.What did the researchers do?We conducted one-on-one interviews with 14 autistic interns and 17 caregivers, transcribed each interview, and looked for common themes related to autistic interns’ employment experiences and career development.What were the results of this study?Three key themes developed from our interview data. First, the interns in our study held a variety of jobs, but predominantly in blue-collar roles that they and their caregivers felt did not align with their interests and career aspirations. Second, despite the interns’ efforts to find meaningful and suitable jobs, they encountered limited opportunities, including high standards for entry-level positions. Additionally, some lacked the educational background required for the jobs they desired. Moreover, the interns often felt they had not received sufficient training and support in the workplace. The third theme revealed that, desp te these challenges, the interns expressed a sense of self-worth and highlighted specific strengths and skills that employers should appreciate, such as their self-determination and excellent pattern recognition skills.What do these findings add to what was already known?Informed by neurodiversity-affirming practices, our findings contribute to the existing knowledge by highlighting the importance of employers understanding the unique characteristics of each autistic individual and providing them with adequate training and support. We emphasize that autistic individuals have strengths and skills that can significantly benefit workplaces when given the opportunity to showcase their abilities. Our study reveals that despite facing obstacles in obtaining and maintaining employment, autistic interns showed great determination in their job search and remained optimistic, actively taking steps to achieve their career goals.What are potential weaknesses in the study?Our study had a small sample size and lacked diversity, and we only examined a group of autistic adults participating in a STEM-related internship. These limitations may reduce the applicability of the findings to other autistic individuals.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?Our findings may help employers understand the needs of autistic individuals so that they can be better supported in the workplace. Employers can adjust based on autistic individuals’ strengths to help them succeed. Hearing about qualifications for certain jobs can also motivate autistic individuals to set goals to meet those requirements.

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18. Ballester-Galí A, Garcia-Molina I. “For Fear that They Would Turn Away from me”: From Transgressing Boundaries to Sexual Abuse in Spanish Autistic Women and Non-Binary People. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):768-775.

Background: Autistic women and non-binary people experience higher rates of abuse, including sexual abuse, with different negative repercussions for their mental health. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors that lead autistic women and non-binary people to become victims of sexual abuse.Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven women and two non-binary people, all of them Spanish and with a late diagnosis of autism. We analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis.Results: We generated four main themes as follows: (1) crossing their own boundaries to belong to a group, (2) maintaining the relationship at all costs, (3) abuse by their relationships, and (4) relationships today. We highlight a gradient of severity of the abusive behavior that includes the transgression of boundaries in the first phases of the relationship to fit in with the group, which results in the normalization of abusive behaviors and a lack of identification of these. This escalation of violence by their partners leads them, in most cases, to experience sexual abuse, which they become aware of sometime later.Conclusion: We must address abuse as a social issue and a process of awareness in the population so that autistic people are not pressured to alter their authentic selves to gain acceptance within society.Community Brief Why was this study conducted?We conducted this study because when we talked with autistic women and gender dissidents, they told us many stories about how they did not know how to set boundaries, which often led others to manipulate or even abuse them. Currently, little is known about this subject, and even less so in Spanish culture.What was the purpose of this study?This study aimed to explore the experiences of autistic women and gender dissidents regarding the transgression of boundaries and abuse by their “friends” and partners.What did the researchers do?We used a semi-structured interview that autistic professionals, researchers, and collaborators created, ensuring that it respects the autistic community. Nine participants told us about their experiences, which we transcribed and analyzed. We observed and searched for patterns in all the data to identify common themes across the participants.What were the results of this study?We generated four major patterns (themes) that ranged from the least severe experiences (the transgression of boundaries) to the most severe (abuse). Concerning boundary transgressions, we found that some participants reported acting in a certain way to please others or avoid conflicts, for example, always doing what they were told, even though it did not seem right to them. Concerning abuse, we found very distressing stories of manipulation and sexual abuse.What do these findings add to what was already known?As far as the authors know, this is the first study that attempts to understand how autistic Spanish population perceive harm, manipulation, or abuse by friends or partners, highlighting the important things that they wanted to tell us. In addition, we underline how Spanish culture normalizes behaviors such as kissing, touching, or hugging, which participants identified as one of the first transgressions of boundaries.What are the potential weaknesses in this study?It was not the objective of this work; however, we did not investigate other types of violence in other contexts, such as bullying or mobbing.How will these findings help autistic people now or in the future?Researchers are listening, and these findings can guide future research, social movements, and campaigns to raise awareness of this issue. We hope this serves as a first step for society to know about what is really happening, to reduce the prevalence of abuse and help autistic people to recognize boundaries and abusive relationships.

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19. Robertson ZS, Stockwell KM, Lampi AJ, Jaswal VK. Autism Terminology Preferences Among Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults in North America. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):776-787.

Background: There is widespread debate about the language used to describe autistic people; many professionals prefer person-first language (e.g., “person with autism”), and many autistic people prefer identity-first language (e.g., “autistic person”). Although prior surveys of the autism community’s terminology preferences have reported participants’ evaluations of individual terms, limited research has directly compared evaluations of discrete categories of identity- and person-first terms. Additionally, there is a need to more fully understand participants’ evaluations of terms relevant to autistic people outside of the identity- and person-first debate.Methods: In total, 784 North American adults (Nautistic = 611; 78%) evaluated two identity-first terms (“autistic” and “autistic person”) and five person-first terms (“person with autism,” “person with autism spectrum disorder,” “person with autism spectrum condition,” “person on the autism spectrum,” and “person diagnosed with autism”). Participants reported which terms they would use, ranked the terms in order of their preference, and rated how much they liked each term and how offensive each term was. In open-ended responses, participants explained their highest and lowest rankings and provided definitions of (the autism) “spectrum,” “high functioning,” and “low functioning.”Results: Both autistic and non-autistic participants were more likely to use identity-first terms than person-first terms, ranked identity-first terms more highly than person-first terms, and liked identity-first terms more than person-first terms. Participants’ open-ended responses provided some context for the quantitative findings and highlighted their critical views of functioning labels.Conclusion: Consistent with other recent work with different samples and different methodologies, the North American participants in the current study preferred identity-first terms over person-first terms. That said, there was variability, with some autistic and non-autistic participants strongly preferring person-first terms. We end by providing recommendations on incorporating our findings into future research and practice.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?The words that are used to describe groups of people can influence how others view and treat those groups. Autistic people should have a say in the words that are used to describe them, so it is important to know how autistic people want to be talked about.What was the purpose of this study?The purpose of this study was to learn more about what autistic people think about words used to talk about autistic people. We also asked non-autistic people who know autistic people about their opinions to see if these opinions were similar or different from autistic people’s opinions.What did the researchers do?We conducted a survey with 784 adults (611 of whom were autistic) living in North America. In the survey, the adults shared their opinions about two identity-first terms (“autistic” and “autistic person”) and five person-first terms (“person with autism,” “person with autism spectrum disorder,” “person with autism spectrum condition,” “person on the autism spectrum,” and “person diagnosed with autism”). They told the researchers which terms they would use, which terms were their favorite and least favorite terms (and why), how much they liked each term, and how offensive each term was. The adults in this study also shared what (the autism) “spectrum,” “high functioning,” and “low functioning” meant to them.What were the results of the study?Most of the people in this study preferred identity-first language more than person-first language: They liked identity-first language more, used it more, and ranked it more highly than person-first language. There was some variety in people’s opinions, so not everyone liked identity-first language better than person-first language. Most participants had negative opinions of functioning labels such as ⠜high functioning” and “low functioning,” and they defined the autism “spectrum” in many different ways.What do these findings add to what was already known?These findings can help us be more confident that autistic people, overall, prefer identity-first terms. We also learned about some of the reasons for participants’ opinions about autism-related language. This information can help people make decisions about how to talk about autistic people. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of autism-related terminology preferences.What are potential weaknesses in the study?Most participants in this study were English-speaking, non-Hispanic White autistic adults who primarily use speech to communicate. Future surveys with people who speak languages other than English and people who do not primarily use speech to communicate would help us learn more about the perspectives of autistic people.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?These findings can help bring more attention to the perspectives and preferences of autistic adults, who have expressed that they prefer identity-first terms more than person-first terms. These findings can also serve as a resource for people who do not know what terms to use when talking about autistic people.

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20. Curnow E, Maciver D, Johnston L, Murray M, Johnstone-Cooke V, Utley I, Jenkins N, Meff T, Muggleton J, Rutherford M. Learning from the Experiences of Autistic Professionals Working in Health and Education. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):788-800.

Background: This study aimed to explore the experiences of autistic professionals working in the public sector in Scotland and investigate the factors that supported them in achieving employment in their chosen career.Methods: We interviewed 34 autistic adults employed in professional roles in the health and education sectors in Scotland about their successes and challenges during training, recruitment, and employment. Interview conversations of 60–90-minute duration were transcribed verbatim. The research team, which included autistic and non-autistic researchers, conducted inductive thematic analysis.Results: Resultant themes included complexity of disclosure; navigating differences in social communication and across employment stages; and control of the environment. Autistic professionals face inequalities and unsupportive environments. Participants described multifaceted decision-making processes behind choices to disclose or withhold their autism diagnosis, which could determine their right to workplace accommodations or provoke unfavorable treatment. The styles of communication preferred by colleagues could engender misunderstanding and lead to challenges negotiating social situations, recruitment processes, and organizational culture. Participants’ needs and preferences for predictability and routine required them to use strategies to overcome the negative impacts of suboptimal social and physical environments.Conclusion: Findings confirm the importance of acceptance and inclusion and demonstrate that there is a need for culture change within public sector education and health workplaces to improve accessibility. Applying minor changes to the environment and individual communication styles can enhance workplace conditions for autistic employees.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Fewer autistic people are employed in skilled jobs than we would expect, and autistic graduates are less likely to be employed than graduates with any other disability. We need research to understand what helps autistic people in skilled work and career development, for example, through promotion. It is important that autistic people can follow their chosen career paths without risk to their health.What was the purpose of this study?We wanted to know more about the experiences of autistic people employed in public sector professional roles in Scotland. We wanted to find out about work, training, and recruitment from their point-of-view. We wanted to understand what worked well, and what employers can improve.What did the researchers do?We interviewed 34 autistic people working in professional roles in health or education in Scotland (including nurses, doctors, teachers, occupational therapists, clinical scientists, and radiographers). We thought about what people told us to help us understand their experiences.What were the results of the study?Autistic professionals said that the decision to share their autism diagnosis at work was complicated. Before deciding to share this information, they thought about the risk of discrimination or stigma. They thought about how this might affect their access to support at work, and their wish to raise awareness of autism by acting as a role model. Sometimes colleagues communicated in ways which led to misunderstandings. Autistic employees told us that the habits and ways of working at their workplace did not suit them. They reported that work environments did not support their needs. This caused them stress and meant that they needed to find ways to stay in employment and look after their health.What do these findings add to what is already known?We already know that autistic employees face discrimination and stress in the workplace. Our research confirms that there is a need for changes to support autistic professionals. The untrue or unfair views that colleagues have about autism (and other distinctions such as age, ethnicity, race, sex, social and economic status, or gender) create discrimination and prevent people receiving support at work or progressing in their career.What are the potential weaknesses in the study?People who took part in this research were all professionals working in Scotland and were mainly White, female graduates. They had all been working for at least 2 years. This means that the training and recruitment they talked about may have happened some years ago.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?Participants highlighted challenges and difficulties they face at work that affect their health and limit career progression. Findings show that employers and colleagues need better understanding of autism to reduce discrimination and help autistic professionals feel supported and safe to talk about their needs. This would help employers work with autistic professionals to identify changes to workplace habits and ways of working, which can support the well-being and career progression of autistic professionals.

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21. Benatov J, Sarel-Mahlev E, Bar Yehuda S. Camouflage, Burnout-Exhaustion, and Depression in Autistic Adults. Autism in Adulthood;2026;8(4):801-808.

Background: Autistic adults are at disproportionate risk for developing depression compared with the general population. Social camouflaging of autistic traits is a unique risk factor for depression among autistic people; however, the mechanisms of this association are still unclear. An additional potential risk factor for depression in this population is autistic burnout. The goal of the current study was to examine the role of burnout-exhaustion as a risk factor for depression among autistic adults and its potential role as a mediator in the association between camouflaging and depression.Method: We designed an online survey in partnership with autistic adults measuring camouflage (The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and burnout-exhaustion (adapted version of the exhaustion subscale of the Parental Burnout Assessment). We posted an invitation to take part in this study through autistic-led groups and forums, targeting autistic adults. We calculated correlations between the study variables and conducted a series of regression analysis to test mediation. We included the analysis of the responses of 92 autistic adults.Results: Over 70% of participants scored within the clinical range of depression. Social camouflaging and burnout-exhaustion positively correlated with depression. Burnout-exhaustion partially mediated the association between camouflage and depression.Conclusion: Burnout is probably a risk factor for depression and may play a role in the association between camouflaging and depression in autistic adults. These findings highlight the importance of assessing the toll of camouflaging and burnout as risk factors to prevent potential escalation to depression and to develop targeted interventions aimed at preventing depression in this population.Community Brief Why is this an important issue?Autistic individuals are at elevated risk of experiencing depression throughout the lifespan. This underscores the need to better understand which factors contribute to depression symptoms in autistic individuals.What was the purpose of this study?The purpose was to examine the role of camouflaging (hiding one’s autistic traits and trying to act in a neurotypical manner) and burnout-exhaustion (a sense of mental and physical exhaustion due to depletion of resources) as risk factors for depression in autistic individuals.What did the researchers do?Ninety-two autistic adults living in Israel completed an online self-report questionnaire on their depressive symptoms, camouflage, and autistic burnout.What were the results of the study?Over 70% of the participants scored in the clinical range of depression. We found that camouflaging and burnout-exhaustion are positively associated with depression. Burnout-exhaustion partially mediated the association between camouflage and depression.What do these findings add to what was already known?These findings suggest that burnout-exhaustion is a risk factor for depression, and that it plays a role in the connection between social camouflage and depression.What are potential weaknesses in the study?This study had a relatively small number of participants whom we recruited online. More studies are needed to replicate these findings with a more representative sample.

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