Is autism childish?

Lots of people view autstic traits as childish. They call autistic adults "cute" for their stims or special interests or get bullied for it. So should autistic adults be treated as adults?

Interests

Autistic adults typically have what’s called a special interest. Autistic people tend to hyperfocus on one or few topics that can vary from animals to movies to science to just about anything. Autistic individuals often cope with the world by engaging in their special interest and it’s important for survival. This can mirror childhood behavior especially when interests are common interests that children have such as toys or cartoons. The intensity of said interest can also mirror childhood behavior. Children have intense interests for fun whereas autistic adults have them to cope and live in this confusing world not meant for them. It can be disabling to the point where individuals forget to eat or sleep and can’t focus on anything else. Special interests are essential to autistic well being while being something that may require help with balancing. Having a special interest as an adult is the norm for autistic adults, it is not childish.

Stimming

Stimming or self stimulatory behavior are behaviors that every human does whether consciously or not. However, in autism stimming is essential for regulation and well being and sometimes looks different from non autistic adults stimming. A lot of stims common in autistic people look “childish” to those who aren’t autistic. These stims may include hand flapping, jumping, dancing or undesirable stims such as hitting their head or other self injurious behaviors. But like special interests, stimming is for autistic survival. It's not childish, it’s the norm for autistic adults.

Struggle with understanding neurotypical social rules

Like kids who haven’t learned neurotypical social rules yet, autistic adults struggle with them too. But this isn’t because autistic adults are childish, it’s because autistic adults have autistic ADULT brains that work differently. This is disabling to many autistics and makes communication appear as juvenile. in reality it’s not childish at all, it’s autistic adult communication. 

Sensory Aids

Sensory tools or aids are coping skills that autistic individuals use to cope through the world. These may include headphones, fidgets, weighted objects, etc. and often these objects are seen as items “used for kids.” Non autistic kids use these for fun and comfort, for autistic adults they are essential accommodation for getting through the day. These tools are not childish for an autistic adult, again they are the norm for autistic adults.

Meltdowns

Meltdowns are when an autistic individual is struggling so much that they lose control. There is typically some sort of outward reaction such as crying, screaming, hitting, eloping, etc. People think this is childish coming from an adult because they think it’s like a child having a tantrum. This is very incorrect. Tantrums are when a child is trying everything they can to get their way. Meltdowns are uncontrollable reactions to being so overwhelmed, overstimulated or having too many emotions to the point where it is painful. No autistic person wants to be having a meltdown, it is much worse for the autistic person than it is for those around them. Always remember that. Meltdowns are more than normal for autistic adults. They are not childish.

So is adult autism childish?

Adult autism is just that. ADULT autism. We are adults just differently. 

How should I treat autistic adults?

Like the adults they are!

Even if they are non-verbal?

Non-speaking autistic adults are adults

The type of communication they use doesn’t change that