What It Is
Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, panic disorder, and separation anxiety. In autism, anxiety is often driven by sensory differences, demand for social masking, unpredictability, and difficulty reading social situations.
How It Presents in Autistic People
Anxiety in autistic people often presents through physical symptoms, increased rigidity, more frequent meltdowns, avoidance, increased stimming, and withdrawal, rather than the verbal worry more common in non-autistic anxiety presentations. This can cause anxiety to be missed or attributed to autism itself.
Treatment and Support
CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) adapted for autism has been studied for anxiety: a 2013 meta-analysis of eight trials in autistic children found reductions in anxiety compared with waitlist or usual care. Exposure approaches need adapting, and forcing exposure to sensory triggers is not appropriate. Reducing masking demands often significantly reduces anxiety. Medication (SSRIs) is used when therapy alone is insufficient.