Autism is a lifelong difference in how a person's brain develops. It is not an illness, and it does not need to be cured. Support is about making daily life easier and more comfortable, and about treating other health problems that often come with autism. It is not about making a person act less autistic.^1,2 Getting the right services and supports can improve long-term health and well-being.³

There is no single treatment that fits everyone. Plans are tailored to the person and usually combine several kinds of help.^5,9 This page explains the supports that can help, when medicine has a place, and how to stay safe from treatments that do not work.

Key points

Support is matched to the person. There is no one best approach, and a plan often mixes several services.^4,5,9
Common supports include talk therapy such as CBT, occupational therapy, speech and communication help, social skills groups and peer support.^1,5
No medicine treats autism itself. Medicines can help with related problems such as anxiety, depression, sleep trouble, attention problems and seizures.^1,4
Some products and therapies sold for autism have no scientific evidence and can be harmful. Talk with a doctor before trying any of them.⁶
If you ever think about ending your life, call or text 988 any time.¹¹

What does "support" mean for an adult?

Many services are built for children. Adults can still get help, and it is never too late to ask. The National Institute of Mental Health says services can help adults with independent living, such as finding housing and getting job coaching or training.⁴ Research on which services work best for autistic adults is still growing.⁴

A good goal is a life that feels safe and meaningful to you. That may mean easier days at work, less anxiety, better sleep, or more connection with people. You decide what matters most. If you were diagnosed late, our page on getting an autism diagnosis as an adult explains the first steps.

Supports that can help

Different supports fit different needs. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) groups them into behavioral, developmental, educational, social, psychological and medicine-based help.¹ Here are the ones adults ask about most.

Talk therapy, including adapted CBT

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you notice how thoughts, feelings and actions affect each other. The CDC says it can help with anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns in autistic people.¹ The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development also lists CBT among therapies used in autism.⁵ See CBT to learn how it works.

Standard CBT may need changes to fit autistic people. Look for a therapist who knows autism. Helpful changes can include clear, literal language, visual aids, written summaries, a predictable session routine and a quiet, low-sensory room. Ask about these before you start. Because research in adults is still growing, expect to try an approach and adjust it with your therapist.⁴

Occupational therapy

An occupational therapist (OT) helps you build skills for daily life, such as dressing, eating, bathing, handling money, or relating to people. OT can also include sensory integration therapy, which helps with responses to sound, light, touch or other input that feel overwhelming.¹ An OT can also suggest changes at home or work. See daily life, work and autistic burnout.

Speech, language and communication support

Speech-language therapy is the most common developmental therapy in autism. It helps with understanding and using speech and language.¹ Some people speak, and others use signs, gestures, pictures or an electronic device to communicate.¹ All of these are valid ways to communicate. An adult can still benefit from help with things like conversation, phone calls, or setting up a communication device.

Social skills groups

These groups give people a structured place to practice social skills.¹ They work best when the goal is to make connection easier and less tiring, not to hide who you are. Ask what the group teaches before you join. Groups with other autistic adults can feel more welcoming.

Behavioral approaches

Behavioral therapies teach skills and help change behaviors that interfere with daily life. The CDC names applied behavior analysis (ABA) as a main example.¹ Treatment goals should be set with you, respect your comfort, and build skills you want. Ask any provider what they are aiming for and why. You always have the right to say no or to stop.

Words matter. Many autistic adults prefer "autistic person" to "person with autism." Others prefer person-first wording. Both are common, and it is fine to ask someone which they like. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is an autistic-led national nonprofit that works on this and other issues.¹⁰

Peer support and community

Talking with other autistic people can make you feel less alone. Peer support means help from people who share your experience. It can be a local group, an online forum, a class or a self-advocacy group.

Autistic-led groups offer a good starting point. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network uses the motto "Nothing About Us Without Us," which means autistic people should have a say in decisions about their lives.¹⁰ If you try an online space, remember that no group replaces medical or mental health care. Tell a trusted person if a group makes you feel worse.

The CDC states that there are no medicines that treat the core features of autism.¹ Medicines may still help with other problems that often come with it. The National Institute of Mental Health lists aggression, anxiety, depression, attention problems, hyperactivity, irritability, repetitive behavior and self-injury as examples of symptoms a provider may treat with medicine.⁴

How this looks in daily life:

Anxiety and depression. These are common, and treatment can include therapy, medicine or both. See anxiety and depression.
Attention problems. Some autistic people also have ADHD. See ADHD in adults.
Sleep trouble. Low-dose melatonin may help some people sleep, but there is little long-term safety data, so ask your doctor first.⁶ See sleep and insomnia.
Irritability, aggression and mood changes. Two antipsychotic medicines, risperidone and aripiprazole, are prescribed for irritability linked to autism.^7,8 Both can cause weight gain and other side effects. Aripiprazole can raise blood sugar and can cause uncontrolled movements, so report any new movements.^7,8

Work with a doctor who has experience with autism, and tell them about every medicine, vitamin and supplement you use.¹ Your doctor starts low and goes slow. Never start, stop or change a medicine on your own. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before changing anything.^7,8

For more on related health problems, see autism and other health conditions.

Be careful with unproven and harmful treatments

Autism is not a disease to be cured, so any product or program that promises a cure deserves caution. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says there is no scientific evidence that secretin (a gut hormone), hyperbaric oxygen (breathing pure oxygen in a pressure chamber), chelation (drugs meant to pull metals out of the body) or antifungal medicines help autistic people. These are not FDA-approved for autism, and wrong use can be harmful.⁶

Other approaches have mixed or early evidence. NCCIH notes that results for special diets are mixed. Anyone who wants to try a special diet should talk with a doctor and have their nutrition checked.⁶ Animal-assisted therapy, arts, yoga, exercise and mindfulness may help with anxiety or social skills, but more research is needed.⁶ NCCIH also says "natural" does not mean safe, because supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines.⁶

Warning signs of a harmful or unproven treatment:

It promises to cure or "reverse" autism.
It asks you to swallow, inject or bathe in a product, or to take large amounts of supplements.
It tells you to stop your regular medicines or doctor visits.
It costs a lot and offers no proof from independent studies.
It makes you feel ashamed of being autistic.

Talk with a doctor before starting any new therapy, diet or supplement.^1,6 If a product has made someone very sick, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 in an emergency.

Finding help

Start with your regular doctor. Ask for a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist or neuropsychologist with experience in autism.⁴
Ask about services. Your state or local agencies may offer job coaching, housing help and other adult services.⁴
Check the provider. Ask how many autistic adults they have worked with and how they adjust their approach. Ask whether sessions can be shorter, written, or held in a quiet place.
Bring a trusted person if it helps. A friend or family member can take notes. See supporting an autistic family member.
Keep records. Save evaluations and notes from providers. They help show what you need and may help you qualify for services.⁴

In later life, support can matter even more. See autism in later life.

Questions to ask a provider

What is the goal of this support?

Who sets the goals, and can I change them?
How will we know if it is helping?
Does this approach respect how I communicate and what I need?

Do you have experience with autistic adults?

How do you adapt your methods?
Can I have written summaries, visuals or a quieter room?
Can sessions be at a pace that works for me?

Is a medicine right for me?

What problem is this medicine meant to treat?
What side effects should I watch for?
What tests will I need?
Is it safe with my other medicines?

When to get help

Call your doctor if anxiety, low mood, sleep problems, or burnout are getting in the way of daily life, or if a medicine has side effects that worry you.
Call or text 988 any time you or someone you love is thinking about suicide or feels in crisis. It is free, private and open 24 hours a day. You can also chat at chat.988lifeline.org.¹¹
Call 911 for immediate danger, a seizure that does not stop, trouble breathing, or after swallowing a harmful product.

You can also make a safety plan ahead of time, or visit our help page.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatment and intervention for autism spectrum disorder. CDC. CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About autism spectrum disorder. CDC. CDC
National Institute of Mental Health. Autism spectrum disorder (topic page, last reviewed December 2024). NIMH, 2024. NIMH
National Institute of Mental Health. Autism spectrum disorder (publication). NIMH. NIMH
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Autism spectrum disorder: treatments. NICHD. NICHD
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Autism and complementary health approaches. NIH. NCCIH
MedlinePlus. Risperidone. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus. Aripiprazole. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Autism. HHS. HHS
Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Home page. ASAN. ASAN
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call, text or chat 988. 988 Lifeline

Education only. This page is general information written from the sources listed. It is not medical, legal or financial advice and does not replace a doctor, therapist or lawyer who knows your situation. How we write and check pages.

Support and therapy for autism