Lately, our understanding of autism has grown. But, regardless of this progress, many autistic people—particularly teenagers—proceed to face unfavorable stigmas and outdated assumptions (Turnock & Langley, 2023). Adolescence is already a time of main change and self-discovery, and for autistic teenagers, navigating this stage may be much more advanced. Sadly, a lot of the dialog round autism stays centered on early childhood (e.g., Sandbank et al., 2023), leaving teenagers underrepresented and underserved.
This text goals to assist mother and father and caregivers acknowledge the stigmas autistic teenagers face and reframe their pondering to concentrate on their teenagers’ strengths reasonably than limitations. To start reframing our method, it’s important to first look at the roots of stigma and the way widespread misconceptions about autism proceed to form the adolescent expertise.
Understanding Autism-Associated Stigmas
Autism is commonly misunderstood. Because of this, inaccurate beliefs can take maintain—particularly throughout adolescence, when social variations change into extra noticeable. One widespread false impression is that autistic people can’t kind deep or significant relationships. Sure, autistic teenagers might join in another way, however that doesn’t imply they aren’t fascinated about or able to connection. One other stereotype is that each one autistic people have mental disabilities. Whereas some might have mental challenges, many autistic teenagers have common or above-average intelligence. Failing to acknowledge this will decrease expectations and restrict alternatives. Lastly, there’s a persistent concept that autism is one thing that must be “fastened.” This mindset may be extremely dangerous. Autism isn’t a flaw—it’s a distinct manner of experiencing the world. After we shift our pondering from “remedy” to “assist,” we make area for autistic teenagers to thrive as their genuine selves.
These pervasive stigmas not solely form others’ attitudes—in addition they affect the place consideration and sources are directed. Because of this, autistic teenagers typically discover themselves missed in each analysis and observe.
Why Autistic Teenagers Are Neglected
Early intervention is essential—but it surely’s not the entire story. Most analysis and sources concentrate on autism in early childhood (Sandbank et al., 2023), leaving teenagers with out the identical stage of understanding or assist. But adolescence is a crucial interval. Autistic teenagers, like all teenagers, are determining who they’re, navigating advanced social environments, and searching for larger independence. However they typically achieve this whereas additionally managing sensory sensitivities, communication variations, and the stress to “slot in.”
Due to the analysis hole, many teenagers don’t obtain assist tailor-made to their age group. This will result in frustration, confusion, and even psychological well being challenges like nervousness and despair. We will do higher, we should do higher, beginning with acknowledging that autistic teenagers have distinctive wants, strengths, and potential. However the penalties of this hole should not summary—they manifest in private methods for autistic teenagers. To grasp the urgency of change, we should think about how stigma straight impacts their day by day lives.
How Stigma Impacts Autistic Teenagers
The results of stigma throughout the teen years are multifaceted. Under are a number of ways in which stigmatizing beliefs can hurt autistic teenagers:
- Social Struggles and Isolation. Peer relationships change into extra essential throughout the teen years; nonetheless, autistic teenagers might face teasing, exclusion, or misunderstandings. When society labels them as “awkward” or “totally different,” it will possibly enhance social nervousness and reinforce a way of loneliness.
- Low Self-Esteem. Damaging messages about autism can have an effect on a teen’s self-image. If teenagers hear—straight or not directly—that one thing is “improper” with them, they could start to consider it. This will result in self-doubt and a reluctance to take dangers or ask for assist.
- Limitations to Self-Advocacy. As teenagers achieve independence, self-advocacy turns into essential. However, stigma could make autistic teenagers hesitant to talk up about their wants. They could concern judgment or really feel ashamed, main them to keep away from searching for assist or lodging.
- Masking and Burnout. To keep away from standing out, many autistic teenagers study to “masks” their traits—hiding behaviors comparable to stimming or forcing themselves to behave in ways in which really feel unnatural. Whereas this may occasionally cut back quick social friction, it typically results in exhaustion, stress, and a diminished sense of self.
Given these challenges, it’s essential to supply teenagers another narrative—one grounded not in correction or conformity however in affirmation (Mottron, 2017; Rush, 2025). Reframing autism via a strengths-based lens generally is a highly effective antidote to the harm stigma causes.
A Shift in Perspective: Specializing in Strengths
Dad and mom and caregivers play a robust function in shaping how autistic teenagers see themselves (Mottron, 2017). By specializing in strengths as a substitute of deficits, households assist teenagers really feel extra assured and supported. Autism brings distinctive views and abilities—like consideration to element, creativity, and specialised pursuits. After we acknowledge and nurture these traits, we not solely assist teenagers construct shallowness, however we additionally problem the stigma that autism is barely about limitations. This optimistic shift begins at house, the place mother and father mannequin acceptance, have a good time variations, and create area for teenagers to develop into their identities with out stress to adapt.
Whereas embracing a strength-based mindset is significant, placing it into observe can generally really feel daunting. The next methods supply concrete methods households can flip a strengths-based method into on a regular basis assist.
How Dad and mom Can Assist Their Autistic Teenagers
- Rejoice Distinctive Traits. Whether or not it’s a ardour for science, a creative expertise, or a powerful reminiscence, assist your teen see what makes them shine. When strengths are acknowledged, confidence grows.
- Assist Social Confidence. Reasonably than pushing your teen to “slot in,” assist them discover environments the place they really feel snug being themselves—comparable to golf equipment, on-line communities, or particular curiosity teams.
- Encourage Self-Advocacy. Train your teen to talk up about what they want, whether or not it’s a quiet area to take a break or additional time on assignments. Follow role-playing eventualities and have a good time their efforts to advocate for themselves.
- Promote Self-Acceptance Over Masking. Let your teen realize it’s okay to be totally different. Masking might assist them get by, however in the long run, being genuine is more healthy and extra sustainable. Encourage your autistic teen to take delight in who they’re.
- Mannequin and Advocate. Communicate up whenever you see misunderstandings or misinformation about autism. The extra we normalize neurodiversity, the extra inclusive and accepting our communities change into—for everybody.
When these efforts come collectively, they not solely assist autistic teenagers—they lay the groundwork for a extra compassionate society. This leads us to a last reflection on what it actually means to assist autistic teenagers thrive.
Last Ideas
Adolescence is a time of progress and discovery. For autistic teenagers, it will also be a time of distinctive problem. However once we concentrate on what’s attainable as a substitute of what’s “improper,” we assist shift the narrative. Dad and mom and caregivers who embrace a strengths-based method give their teenagers a robust basis—the information that they’re succesful, worthy, and valued simply as they’re.
By pushing previous stigma and specializing in assist, we create a world the place autistic teenagers not solely efficiently navigate adolescence—however thrive in it.
Heidi Hillman, PhD, BCBA-D, LMHC, is an autistic researcher and professor at Jap Washington College. For extra data, please contact Heidi Hillman at hhillman@ewu.edu.
References
Mottron, L. (2017, April 20). A strength-focused method to autism. Harvard Well being Weblog.
Rush, B. (2025, April 30). 6 methods to assist your autistic teen see their strengths. Autism Parenting Journal.
Sandbank, M., Bottema-Beutel, Okay., Crowley LaPoint, S., Feldman, J. I., Barrett, D. J., Caldwell, N., Dunham, Okay., Crank, J., Albarran, S., & Woynaroski, T. (2023). Autism intervention meta-analysis of early childhood research (Venture AIM): Up to date systematic evaluate and secondary evaluation. BMJ, 383, e076733. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-076733
Turnock, A., & Langley, Okay. (2023). Understanding stigma in autism: A story evaluate and theoretical mannequin. Bioethics, 37(1), 45–59. https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.13019