{"$schema":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/data/page.schema.json","formatVersion":"1.1","id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/autism-spectrum-disorder","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/autism-spectrum-disorder","path":"/community/autism-spectrum-disorder","title":"Autism Spectrum Disorder","description":"A space for perspectives on autistic experiences, connection, and support across life stages.","family":"Topic community","language":"en-US","access":{"audience":"custom-shared-preview","indexable":true},"provenance":{"contentCompleteness":"page","sourceUrl":null},"authors":[],"dates":{},"images":[{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-12146.webp","alt":"A child and an adult share a playful moment at home."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-13104.webp","alt":"Parents and a child sit together thoughtfully on a 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autism?"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/highly-intelligent-but-socially-handicapped-the-psychology-of-the-nerd","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/highly-intelligent-but-socially-handicapped-the-psychology-of-the-nerd","label":"How can I help my socially awkward son?"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/lifespan-development","label":"Lifespan Development"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/family-health","label":"Family Health"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/social-health","label":"Social Health"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/therapists","label":"Find care"}],"content":{"html":"<nav class=\"breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><ol><li><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/\">Home</a></li><li><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community\">Community</a></li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">Autism Spectrum Disorder</span></li></ol></nav><div class=\"topic-community\"><header class=\"community-hero hub-entry-hero\"><div class=\"hub-entry-copy\"><p class=\"community-eyebrow\">Community</p><h1>Autism Spectrum Disorder</h1><p>A space for perspectives on autistic experiences, connection, and support across life stages.</p><form id=\"topic-search\" class=\"search-island\" role=\"search\" action=\"/community/autism-spectrum-disorder\" method=\"get\" aria-label=\"Search Autism Spectrum Disorder\"><div class=\"search-field\"><label class=\"visually-hidden\" for=\"topic-query\">Search Autism Spectrum Disorder</label><input id=\"topic-query\" name=\"q\" type=\"search\" placeholder=\"Search Autism Spectrum Disorder\" maxlength=\"150\" required></div><button class=\"search-button\" type=\"submit\">Search</button></form><div class=\"suggested\" aria-label=\"Topics in this community\"><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/autism-spectrum-disorder?topic=Treatment#browse\">Treatment</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/autism-spectrum-disorder?topic=Diagnosis#browse\">Diagnosis</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/autism-spectrum-disorder?topic=Adults#browse\">Adults</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/autism-spectrum-disorder?topic=Therapy#browse\">Therapy</a></div></div><img class=\"community-hero-image\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-12146.webp\" alt=\"A child and an adult share a playful moment at home.\" loading=\"eager\"></header><nav class=\"community-section-nav\" aria-label=\"On this community page\"><a data-division=\"library\" href=\"#library\">Library</a><a data-division=\"answers\" href=\"#answers\">Conversations</a></nav><section class=\"community-section\" id=\"library\"><div class=\"community-section-heading\"><h2>Library</h2><p>A place to begin, understand, and go deeper.</p></div><div class=\"community-resource-grid\"><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/autism-spectrum-disorder\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-13104.webp\" alt=\"Parents and a child sit together thoughtfully on a sofa.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/autism-spectrum-disorder\" title=\"Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)\">Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)</a></h3><p>Learn how autism spectrum disorder varies across individuals, influences daily life, and benefits from early diagnosis and meaningful support.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/autism-treatment\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-11753.webp\" alt=\"A doctor speaks with a parent and child during a consultation.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/autism-treatment\" title=\"Autism Treatment Options\">Autism Treatment Options</a></h3><p>Explore autism treatment options, therapies, and strategies to improve skills and quality of life for those with ASD.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/therapy-for-adults-with-autism-what-are-my-options\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"card-photo\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-17847.webp\" alt=\"Parents and a child share a close hug at home.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/therapy-for-adults-with-autism-what-are-my-options\" title=\"Therapy for Adults With Autism\">Therapy for Adults With Autism</a></h3><p>Discover adult autism spectrum disorder treatment options for improved functioning.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/autism-development-in-later-life\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-10863.webp\" alt=\"A child rests her chin in her hands while adults speak in the background.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1199\" height=\"800\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/autism-development-in-later-life\" title=\"Late-Onset Autism\">Late-Onset Autism</a></h3><p>Learn about the emerging recognition of autism later in life, how it affects adults receiving a diagnosis, and its impact on treatment and care.</p></article></div></section><section class=\"community-section\" id=\"answers\"><div class=\"community-section-heading\"><h2>Conversations</h2><p>Real questions and professional responses from our Answers archive.</p></div><div class=\"community-resource-grid\"><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/i-have-ocd-will-this-increase-my-childs-chance-of-developing-autism\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/answers/i-have-ocd-will-this-increase-my-childs-chance-of-developing-autism-20261003.webp\" alt=\"Two adults tending herbs in blue pots on a balcony.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Conversation</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/i-have-ocd-will-this-increase-my-childs-chance-of-developing-autism\" title=\"Does my OCD increase the risk of my child developing autism?\">Does my Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) increase the risk of my child developing autism?</a></h3><p>A prospective parent with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) asks whether their child could inherit OCD or face an increased chance of autism.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/highly-intelligent-but-socially-handicapped-the-psychology-of-the-nerd\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/answers/highly-intelligent-but-socially-handicapped-the-psychology-of-the-nerd-20261003.webp\" alt=\"Friends gathered around a board game in natural light\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Conversation</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/highly-intelligent-but-socially-handicapped-the-psychology-of-the-nerd\" title=\"How can I help my socially awkward son?\">How can I help my socially awkward son?</a></h3><p>A parent describes an academically accomplished adult son who wants close relationships but struggles with confidence and unwritten social expectations.</p></article></div></section><section class=\"community-related\"><h2>Connected communities</h2><div><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/lifespan-development\">Lifespan Development</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/family-health\">Family Health</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/social-health\">Social Health</a></div></section><section class=\"community-support\"><div><h2>Find support that fits you.</h2><p>Explore people and care options near you.</p></div><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/therapists\">Find care</a></section></div>","text":"HomeCommunityAutism Spectrum DisorderCommunityAutism Spectrum DisorderA space for perspectives on autistic experiences, connection, and support across life stages.Search Autism Spectrum DisorderSearchTreatmentDiagnosisAdultsTherapyLibraryConversationsLibraryA place to begin, understand, and go deeper.LibraryAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)Learn how autism spectrum disorder varies across individuals, influences daily life, and benefits from early diagnosis and meaningful support.LibraryAutism Treatment OptionsExplore autism treatment options, therapies, and strategies to improve skills and quality of life for those with ASD.LibraryTherapy for Adults With AutismDiscover adult autism spectrum disorder treatment options for improved functioning.LibraryLate-Onset AutismLearn about the emerging recognition of autism later in life, how it affects adults receiving a diagnosis, and its impact on treatment and care.ConversationsReal questions and professional responses from our Answers archive.ConversationDoes my Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) increase the risk of my child developing autism?A prospective parent with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) asks whether their child could inherit OCD or face an increased chance of autism.ConversationHow can I help my socially awkward son?A parent describes an academically accomplished adult son who wants close relationships but struggles with confidence and unwritten social expectations.Connected communitiesLifespan DevelopmentFamily HealthSocial HealthFind support that fits you.Explore people and care options near you.Find 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