4 Emotional Struggles Adults on the Autism Spectrum Face

It’s often easier for people to acknowledge and understand the emotional struggles of children on the autism spectrum. Children with autism sometimes have a difficult time gauging the emotions of others, even through words and expressions. 

But what about adults? Do they experience similar emotional struggles or do they face different ones, no matter where they are on the spectrum? 

It’s always important to continuously learn as much as possible about adults on the spectrum. With that in mind, let’s look at four emotional struggles they often face.

1. Reading Others’ Emotions

It’s not only children who can have a hard time understanding the emotions of others. It’s something that often carries into adulthood for those on the spectrum. Things like body language, subtle expressions, or statements that aren’t always clear can make it difficult for an adult with autism to fully understand what someone else is feeling. 

As a result, that person might come across as cold or uncaring, when they really just aren’t sure how to respond or act.

2. Emotional Sensitivity

It’s not uncommon for everyone to experience emotional sensitivity sometimes—even those not on the spectrum. But adults with autism can be especially sensitive to their own emotions. Something very small can seem like something very big to them.

Unfortunately, that often causes emotional rollercoasters that they may not be able to fully process or work through right away.

3. Struggles Controlling Emotions

You may have seen children on the spectrum having a hard time controlling their emotions. That’s often because the emotions are so big and difficult to express that it becomes frustrating. Over time, many children on the spectrum learn how to manage their emotions. But, that doesn’t mean it’s easy as an adult. 

While most adults on the spectrum won’t act out the way children do, they might get angry or frustrated when they aren’t sure how to fully express an emotion the right way. Some people on the spectrum are very good at keeping that frustration under control, while others show stronger signs of it. 

Someone on the spectrum might feel controlled by their emotions, too. For example, if they get cut off in traffic on their way to work, they might spend the rest of the day thinking about that event and how it made them feel. It can distract them from almost everything else until they’re able to fully work through it.

4. Difficulty Showing Emotions

Not only is it hard for adults on the autism spectrum to read the emotions of others, but it’s often difficult for them to express emotions in ways that most might deem “appropriate.” 

That doesn’t mean people on the spectrum are never happy, sad, surprised, angry, or excited.  

But they might not always have the best ways to show those emotions. Even as someone not on the spectrum, that’s easy to understand. Emotions can be confusing and often difficult to process. Think about how much harder it would be to work through them if you were frustrated or didn’t know how to express things right away. That’s something those on the spectrum have to deal with every day. 

Again, it’s important to understand some of these emotional struggles. Autism affects adults and children in ways that are both similar and different. 

Assuming that an adult on the spectrum will handle emotions the same as a child would isn’t fair to that individual. So, take the time to educate yourself on these matters. In doing so, you’ll be able to better support any adult on the spectrum in your life. That’s important for their overall well-being, and can help them feel more understood and less frustrated.