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Adult Autism: Mental Health and Sensory Needs

For individuals with autism, navigating a world that often misunderstands their behavior can have negative impacts on mental health and well-being.

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For individuals with autism, navigating a world that often misunderstands their behavior can have negative impacts on mental health and well-being. Without a proper diagnosis or support, many adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) must manage their well-being on their own.

Autism is a difference in the way someone’s brain and nervous system function compared to neurotypical brains. It doesn’t need to be “treated” or “fixed.” As Alisyn Van Note, a licensed professional counselor specializing in autism with Burrell Behavioral Health explains: “Autism could best be described as a lens through which we see the world. It is simply how the brain works.”

That said, there are strategies, tools, and skills that can help autistic individuals navigate the challenges they face in daily life.

Dr. Seth Allen, ED.D., director of Autism Services at Brightli affiliate Burrell Behavioral Health recommends several approaches for individuals with autism to manage mental health and reduce the sense of being overwhelmed:

  1. Establish a predictable routine to reduce anxiety and create a sense of control.
  2. Build self-advocacy skills by developing confidence in expressing needs and setting boundaries.
  3. Understand your unique needs. Self-awareness is key to effective communication and self-care.
  4. Practice self-compassion.

 

“We are going to mess up; we are human,” Van Note said. “We do not need to hold onto the expectations we or others have put up for ourselves; we can, in fact, just exist and just be without doing more.”

Van Note said it’s also important for individuals with autism to be kind and compassionate with themselves.

“We sometimes have a hard time, and we didn’t know then what we know now,” Van Note said. “And when we mess it up, because we will and we do, it is OK. It is OK when we are OK, and it is OK when we are not OK.”

Stimming, or self-stimulatory behavior, is a natural way autistic individuals regulate sensory input. Common stimming behaviors include rocking, hand-flapping, humming, or fidgeting, which can help manage stress, improve focus and provide comfort. While stimming is beneficial, it’s also important to recognize when it becomes overwhelming or disruptive and find strategies to balance sensory needs.

Understanding all eight of your sensory systems can help manage overstimulation and sensory distress. Identifying sensory triggers and using personalized regulation strategies—such as noise-canceling headphones, adjusting lighting, or taking sensory breaks—can make a big difference in daily life.

The eight sensory systems include:

  1. Auditory (Hearing) – Noise levels, background sounds and voices
  2. Visual (Sight) – Lighting, colors and movement sensitivity
  3. Olfactory (Smell) – Sensitivity to scents and odors
  4. Gustatory (Taste) – Textures, flavors and food preferences
  5. Proprioception (Body Awareness) – Awareness of body position and movement
  6. Tactile (Touch) – Sensitivity to textures, fabrics or physical contact
  7. Vestibular (Balance & Movement) – Sensation of motion, dizziness or balance issues
  8. Interoception (Internal Awareness) – Sensations like hunger, thirst or emotions

 

Recognizing and respecting sensory needs benefits everyone, not just autistic individuals. Workplaces, schools, and public spaces can normalize sensory-friendly accommodations like quiet rooms, flexible seating, and scent-free policies. By understanding sensory regulation and advocating for adjustments, we can create environments where everyone feels comfortable, focused, and supported.

Autism rarely exists in isolation. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), autistic individuals are more likely to experience a range of co-occurring mental health and medical conditions, including:

  1. Anxiety (up to 84%)
  2. Depression (26%)
  3. Epilepsy (35%)
  4. Gastrointestinal issues
  5. Metabolic disorders
  6. Sleep disorders

 

Co-Occurring Conditions and Autism – Autism Research Institute

There are also strong connections between autism and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The two conditions share overlapping symptoms like sensory sensitivities, difficulties in social situations, repetitive behaviors, emotional regulation challenges, avoidance and communication difficulties. Autism and PTSD: Overlap, link, and treatment

Some conditions, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sensory processing disorder (SPD), share similarities with autism, sometimes leading to diagnostic confusion. Because of this, it’s crucial to seek care from professionals who understand autism and its co-occurring conditions.

Autism can be challenging due to social stigma, unique sensory needs and co-occurring conditions that often accompany it. But it doesn’t have to define or constrain anyone’s future. With the right strategies and support, challenges can become growth opportunities.

The path forward isn’t just about managing autism. It’s about creating spaces where autistic individuals can thrive in a way that works for them, unapologetically. In our next article, we’ll explore the ways society can embrace and support neurodivergent adults, paving the way for a more open and accepting future.

More To Explore

Agency News

A&C 75th Anniversary and Irvington Clinic Grand Opening

Integrated health care is a concept that recognizes how a person’s physical health and behavioral health affect their overall wellness and quality of life. Adult & Child Health celebrated integrated health at a combined celebration of history and growth at its Irvington clinic in Indianapolis April 30.  The event served as both a 75th anniversary celebration for the Adult & Child Health organization, and as a grand opening for the clinic on Washington Avenue, which opened in early 2025.  Adult & Child operates three clinics in Indianapolis and one clinic in Franklin. At the Irvington clinic, primary care providers, psychiatric care providers and licensed therapists see patients in the same building.  “Our goal is to help people live happy and healthier lives and have them be able to succeed in whatever it means for them,” Dr. Christine Negendank, President and Chief Medical Officer at Adult & Child Health said. “Many of our patients have been stigmatized — even in the health care setting — so we are very careful to make sure everyone is welcome here, no matter their circumstance and no matter their level of illness.”  Clients of all ages come to the Irvington clinic for psychiatric and primary care. “Integrated care clients,” as they are called, can come to the Irvington clinic to have multiple needs addressed in one place. It’s a combination of providing the best practices and ease of care for each client.  “It’s so wonderful to see a patient who tells me, ‘I’m out of my blood pressure meds,’ or ‘I have a severe headache,’ and I can say, ‘Well, you know, we have primary care across the hall; why don’t we go get you connected?’” Negendank explained.  A client can get primary care, psychiatric care, therapy and connections to housing programs in a single trip to the Irvington clinic.  “They leave with so much more hope,” Negendank said. “We really try to make it easy for our patients when we can. We offer someone a safe place to come, to feel welcome, to leave feeling better and to leave feeling better about themselves.”  A&C offers addictions treatment at the Irvington clinic. Addictions treatment involves one-on-one therapy, medication assisted treatment (MAT), activities of daily living support, psychoeducation, peer recovery services and case management. The average wait time for a new patient to schedule their first appointment is less than three weeks.  Be Well Bell art installation  The Be Well Community movement is designed to ring in a new narrative about brain health through a variety of programs, including the public display of ceremonial bells that symbolize hope and healing. The bell in Indianapolis was unveiled to the public during Adult & Child’s 75th Anniversary event April 30. Be Well Initiatives works with community partners to bring visibility to the mental wellness movement. The Be Well Bell program offers blank bells to be painted with a meaningful design by an artist(s) or as a community arts project.    Brightli Director of Be Well Initiatives Bailey Pyle, LPC, explained that the art installation includes a QR code that smartphone users can scan to access information on the Be Well program and on mental health services available at Adult & Child in the Indianapolis metro area.  “These aren’t just bells that we’re creating and plopping down into a community, but they are truly reflective of the community in which they exist,” Pyle said. “We know from lots of research that that’s when the bells are the most impactful and meaningful.” The Be Well Bell at the Irvington clinic is the 21st for the program and the first Be Well Bell in Indiana.  Adult & Child Health’s history  Photo Gallery

Sarah Miller, PMHNP-BC

Sarah Miller works with the addictions team, general psychiatry for adolescents and adults, and the competency restoration team. She is board-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her specialties are working in addictions and with people who experience serious mental illness.

Miller graduated from Indiana University with a psychology degree and went back to school for nursing. She received her nursing degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and worked in a nursing home and also spent time working in a group home with adolescents. She received her master’s degree from Vanderbilt University.

She enjoys hanging out with her family and her two dogs, and going to sporting events.

Joanna Chambers, MD

Dr. Joanna Chambers is a psychiatrist who began seeing Adult & Child Health patients in November 2021. She graduated from Medical College of Georgia with her Doctorate of Medicine in 1996 and completed her residency in psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. In addition to bringing a wealth of experience, she currently serves as an associate professor at Indiana University School of Medicine where she teaches Clinical Psychiatry. She is certified in Addiction Medicine and has a special interest in treating pregnant and postpartum women. She is President of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry Organization as well as a sitting member of many medical association boards. Recently, she has won the Residents’ Award for Teaching Excellence in 2020 from Indiana University and has received “Best Doctors Award” in 2010, 2011, and 2014. Dr. Chambers is incredibly active in the medical, academic, and research realms of medicine. She is currently accepting new patients on Wednesdays.