Receiving an autism diagnosis can be a life-changing experience, offering a long-awaited explanation for lifelong challenges and a sense of finally being heard and understood. However, this newfound understanding often coincides with significant anxiety after an autism diagnosis. Anxiety is one of the most common co-occurring conditions with autistic individuals, affecting up to 50% of autistic adults—a rate twice that of the neurotypical population. At Scope, we understand what you’re going through, and offer a specialised program to help you navigate anxiety after your autism diagnosis.
Understanding anxiety after an autism diagnosis
After an autism diagnosis you might feel a mix of emotions, including relief, validation, grief of missed opportunities, and even anger at past misunderstandings. Anxiety in autistic individuals often presents with unique triggers and responses, differing from neurotypical anxiety. Key triggers can include:
- Sensory overload - Heightened sensitivities to sounds, lights, textures, and smells can lead to intense anxiety and meltdowns
- Changes in routine and uncertainty - Autistic individuals often rely on predictability, and unexpected changes can provoke intense anxiety due to an inherent "intolerance of uncertainty"
- Social dynamics and masking - Navigating social cues and the constant effort to "mask" autistic traits are emotionally and physically exhausting, contributing significantly to chronic anxiety and burnout
- Executive function challenges - Difficulties with planning, time management, and organisation can lead to "secondary anxiety" about managing daily tasks and deadlines
- Alexithymia - Challenges in identifying and managing one's own emotions can exacerbate anxiety.
Why traditional approaches may fall short
Many traditional therapeutic models are implicitly designed for neurotypical individuals, often failing to accommodate the diverse experiences and processing styles of neurodivergent individuals. In the context of autism, this can lead to:
- Focus on "fixing" differences - Aiming to "normalise" autistic traits can be invalidating and create feelings of shame
- Reliance on verbal communication - Therapies heavily dependent on verbal expression can be challenging for those with language processing differences
- Lack of flexibility and sensory considerations - Rigid structures and environments not designed with sensory sensitivities in mind can heighten anxiety and hinder engagement
- Misunderstanding of autistic experiences - Therapists lacking neurodiversity understanding may misinterpret behaviors, leading to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment.
While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be helpful, its effectiveness for autistic individuals is inconsistent without significant adaptations, as it may not fully resonate with their unique cognitive and emotional processing.
Our neuro-affirming approach
How the program empowers you to manage anxiety after an autism diagnosis:
Understand anxiety differently - Learn why simply trying to get rid of anxious thoughts and feelings often doesn't work for neurodivergent individuals, and discover how to change your relationship with them.
Unhook from difficult thoughts - Develop skills to "defuse" from unhelpful or critical thoughts related to autism, your traits, or how others might see you, so they have less power over your actions.
Make space for feelings - Practice accepting and making room for uncomfortable emotions (like anxiety, self-doubt, or vulnerability) without letting them stop you from doing what matters.
Connect with what truly matters - Clarify your core values – what kind of person you want to be and what you want your life to stand for, especially in light of your neurodivergent identity.
Take valued action - Learn to take purposeful steps, guided by your values. This includes navigating decisions about disclosure of autism, self-advocacy, authentic living being more present and navigating support.
Build a stable sense of self - Connect with the "observing you" – the constant, aware part of yourself beyond thoughts, feelings, or labels, creating a more grounded sense of self and identity.
Wondering how to move forward after your autism diagnosis?
It's normal to feel overwhelmed. Our program is designed to help you process everything, equip you with real-world skills that are specifically suited to your neurotype, and guide you towards a life where you're not just coping, but thriving. If you're ready to navigate your anxiety after an autism diagnosis and embark on a transformative journey, contact Scope today.
Ready to start? Book your session today!