Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity

by Devon Price

We’re at an elevated risk of eating disorders,[32] alcoholism and drug addiction,[33] and insecure attachments to others.[34] We tend to maintain shallow relationships, out of fear that people would hate getting to know our “real selves.” We may withdraw from other people, leading to negative emotional and psychological outcomes. And the more isolated we are, the less practice we get socializing, leading to a feedback loop of social disempowerment and shame. Autism is also highly correlated with physical symptoms such as gastrointestinal issues,[35] connective tissue disorders,[36] and seizures[37] largely for genetic reasons. It co-occurs with other disabilities such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)[38] and dyslexia at a high rate.[39] Many Autistic people have trauma histories and post-traumatic stress symptoms, and as I’ve already mentioned, a lifetime of masking puts us at a high risk of conditions like depression and anxiety.[40] These are some of the most common conditions that co-occur alongside Autism, but later in the book we’ll discuss additional disorders that overlap (or are mistaken for) Autism.