Nicole Filippone, Autistic Advocate & Author

Association of Amygdala Development With Different Forms of Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder The amygdala is widely implicated in both anxiety and autism spectrum disorder. However, no studies have investigated the relationship between co-occurring anxiety and longitudinal amygdala development in autism. Here, the authors characterize ...

Link to the study for reference... pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

If you're autistic, does any of this resonate with you?

I know not all autistic people experience autistic anxiety, but according to the one research study that *has* been conducted on it so far, a substantial percentage of us do.

(It's referred to as "distinct anxiety" in the study. Link below for reference.)

Which is why I think autistic anxiety needs to be added to the diagnostic criteria.

Because it's not just a small aspect of autism for a small subset of us. It's a significant aspect of autism for a significant number of us.

And I think this lack of awareness needs to be changed. Systemically. So accommodations for this type of anxiety are a requirement and not up for individual discretion.

Which is why flight disability accommodations are a thing in the first place for autistic people.

(They're not giving us flight accommodations because we have social disabilities 😒)

I think this particular person heard the word anxiety and didn't register that I wasn't talking about "regular" anxiety and that I have it *because* I'm autistic.

As an aside, this was an extremely odd conversation because I've booked using the same hotline numerous times and they've always accommodated me when I mentioned my autistic anxiety.

Yet, when I called the Delta disability hotline a few weeks ago to book an upcoming flight, I was told they don't accommodate for anxiety, even though I explained that the reason I get flight anxiety is because of my autism.

Example, sensory anxiety. I am NOT overstating when I say it debilitates me. Literally.

As in, I can't function to any reasonable measure when I'm in the midst of an autistic anxiety attack.

And the more I think about how my autism disables me, the more I feel like autistic anxiety needs to be a part of the diagnostic criteria.

Speaking from personal experience, 99% of the reason my autism disables me has to do with the debilitating anxiety I get when my autistic needs are not met.

Autistic anxiety... which is the direct result of autistic needs not being met (and can't be explained by any other type of anxiety) should not be the barely researched topic it currently is...

You deserve to experience life without autistic anxiety... the way nonautistic people get to experience life.

Don't be afraid to ask for accommodations.

If they can be given, you deserve them.

At minimum, you deserve to ask for them. ❤️

P.s. If you're autistic and experience anxiety when your autistic needs aren't met... know that not everyone has the same anxiety as you.

Even if you've spent your whole life thinking the rest of the world is suffering just as much as you are.

They aren't.

Tl;dr... autistic accommodations are often about decreasing anxiety triggers by either removing your triggers from the environment or by removing yourself from the environment where those triggers exist.

Sensory anxiety continued... using disability bathroom stalls. If you experience anxiety due to confined spaces, this is a legitimate use of an accessible space for a person with hidden disabilities. If a larger stall decreases your anxiety, you are legally and ethically allowed to use it.

Sensory anxiety... eating safe meals before social events so you don't have to worry if the food there will be tolerable, packing your own pillow/blanket when traveling, bathing once a week, or however frequently you need.

Examples...

Social anxiety... choosing not to participate in large social events (this can include things that are typically considered socially important, like weddings)

Work anxiety... asking to work from home (if the job can be done that way) so you can create a sensory safe working environment for yourself.

Also, if you're autistic, you don't have to rely on others for all accommodations. Some you can make for yourself.

I don't know who needs to see this, but autistic accommodations include anything that would reduce autistic anxiety.

Examples...

Travel anxiety... asking for a seat with extra room, pre-boarding a flight, asking for a different hotel room if the one you were given triggers you.

Help me unify our community. We can do it together if enough of us commit to the cause. ❤️

Every autistic perspective deserves to be included.

We can't move forward if we are actively leaving people behind.

And, most importantly, we have to stick together. That's where our power lies. That's how we impact meaningful, lasting change.

So, lower support needs autistics need to actively consider the needs of higher support needs autistics when advocating for our community.

It also means not dismissing or excluding autistic voices that don't share the same perspectives as those who are the most vocal.

Fellow autistics... please hear what I'm about to say, because it's important.

If we want to create real, meaningful, and lasting change as a community... we need to start with radical inclusivity.

That means including every autistic person. Every. single. one.

There's room for all of our voices... IF we make the room.

If you've read this far, thank you for staying with me. I'd love to know if you're with me. ❤️

But only if enough of us see it for what it is and are willing to listen to each other. Really listen. So we understand each other and stop shutting others down when they share perspectives that are different from ours.

I see this as a critical problem that needs solving if we're going to make meaningful progress together.

And I do think it's solvable.

And this is where we get into trouble and where I think the heart of the conflict resides...

Since we have so many conflicting philosophical perspectives on autism as a community, we end up having conflicting perspectives on how we advocate as a community.

But during these discussions, most of us are desperately trying to be seen, heard, and understood... while simultaneously desperately fighting for our lives to impact change so we can get the support we need to survive.

BUT, these conversations tend to happen in the context of advocacy, which is all about action. Where decisions need to be made in terms of how we advocate as a community so we impact real, meaningful change.