Game-changing autism research about autistic needs that not enough people are talking about
Date Published: June 27, 2025
Watch Time: 1:37
Video Transcript
There are two areas of emerging research that change EVERYTHING about autism awareness… and I wish more people were talking about them…
1. A study found evidence to suggest that “mild” stress can trigger PTSD like symptoms in autistic brains
(There’s lots of nuance to the research that you can find in the study, I’ll link to it below)
2. Another study found that autistic people experience a type of anxiety that doesn’t fit any of the existing anxiety disorders currently included in the DSM (link below as well)
To me, these studies explain my internal autistic experience better than literally ANYTHING ELSE I have come across.
And this is absolutely earth shattering for autism awareness in my opinion…
Because the diagnostic criteria are 100% focused on observable behaviors (ones that society finds “unacceptable” and “inexcusable” most of the time).
But these two studies explain what’s UNDERNEATH those behaviors…
We have anxiety.
We have TRAUMA.
And not from things society typically “excuses” (like assault or abuse)…
Because the things giving us anxiety and trauma are perceived as MINISCULE to those who aren’t autistic.
So people simply don’t get it.
They think we’re WILDLY overreacting.
But this research has the potential to give those people a window into our autistic brains and how they work. (IF they’re willing to look through it.)
And maybe, just maybe, we can move the needle from awareness to actual understanding…
And MAYBE even fix the “double empathy” problem.
Maybe. 🤞🏻🤞🏻
If you’re autistic, I’d love to know what you think of all of this.
And if you like this type of content, follow for more.
Distinct Anxiety research…
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37039980/
Mild stress/PTSD research…