Mental Health
Below are some websites to access services that may help.
Note: I am not a mental health expert I am an autistic adult sharing tools/activities I have found helpful for myself and other autistic people.
Therapy/Support Groups
Grow Therapy and Prosper Health are two providers that work with your insurance so you do not have to pay for therapy.
Another resource is PsychologyToday which lets you browse therapists by location or speciality. AANE also hosts Support Groups (some are free). Here is a link to two other online support groups for Autistic adults from Autism Connections (one is for ages 18-25, and another for age 26+). ND Therapists is a database of neurodivergent therapists in the US and internationally (Canada, France, India, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, and the UK).
Neuroaffirm has a database of psychologists and counselors.
Did you know there are coaches whose primary focus is working to help neurodivergent adults? Coaches can help plan clear steps toward your goals, learn strategies to accommodate and advocate for yourself. Scroll down or click here for a list. All coaches I have listed below are either Autistic or AuDHD (Autistic & ADHD), draw from lived experience and use neurodiversity affirming approach.
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There is also a new resource called Neuroaffirm that has a database of neurodiversity affirming coaches and other professionals (counselors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, psychologists and social workers).
Special Interests
Research studies show engaging in special interests can be calming and improve well being. Try learning/doing that thing you love most. (Source: Spectrum Article)
Contact
Many autistic people deal with feelings of isolation. One way to build connections is to engage in community events around shared interests. Check out our community page for information on online connections (via discussion boards and virtual meetups) and in-person events for the autistic community.
Nature
An amazing stress reliever can be engagin in nature. Challenge yourself to get some time outside even if it is only for a short while. A Harvard research study found a nature break of 20 minutes relieve stress.
Acknowledge/Accomodate
If you are late-diagnosed, it is possible you may have been ignoring sensory needs you did not know you had which could be a source of stress. Does deep pressure help relax you? Do certain sounds or surfaces make you feel safe or unsettled. Spend time learning your loves and limits so you can accommodate yourself. This is of course a journey, but some adjustments can be as simple and immediate as eliminating an uncomfortable texture, or even dimming lights in your home.
Coaching
Below you will find links to life-coaches who support autistic adults.
All coaches linked here are autistic.