You’re Not Getting “More Autistic”, This Is What’s Actually Happening

Could it be that we just have less energy to mask as we get older?

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Over the years, there’s a particular question I’ve seen autistic people ask in forums and support groups that’s always perplexed me. I’ve never quite been able to put my finger on why it doesn’t sit right with me.

Usually, it’s something along the lines of: “Why am I getting more autistic as I get older?”.

To me, the question in itself has always elicited negative connotations.

It’s like someone in their lives has pointed this out to them and the phrase has just “stuck” like an uninvited guest who’s overstayed their welcome.

I truly get that it can be a useful starting point to ask other people this question to make sense of why they feel this way. But I still think we could “flip the script” — and adjust the language we use.

Rather than seeing it through the lens of the medical model of disability, in which our “symptoms” are getting “worse” (yes — I have actually seen people say that!), I think feeling this way is a sign that we’re becoming a lot more self-aware, and we’re becoming more in touch with our unique autistic needs.

In fact, you could say that it’s actually the process of unmasking.