Anxiety is a topic of paramount importance to the autistic community, and many studies aim to better understand its causes and ways to support autistic people who experience it. To deepen our understanding, it is important to listen to the voices of autistic people themselves.

A new qualitative study, published in the journal Autism in August 2026, set out to examine the psychological experiences of anxiety from the perspective of autistic adults. Researchers interviewed 20 autistic adults in one-on-one conversations, asking them to describe their experiences with anxiety and how they relate to known cognitive concepts in this field.

The findings show that existing cognitive concepts, used to understand anxiety in the general population, are also highly relevant for autistic adults:

  • All participants (100%) cited intolerance of uncertainty and repetitive negative thoughts as part of their anxiety experience.
  • Most participants (70%) also described attentional biases (a tendency to focus on environmental stimuli such as noises or other sensory experiences) and intrusive mental imagery (imagining situations in their mind during anxiety).

The reference to mental imagery is particularly notable, given common claims about a link between Autism and weak visual imagery. In addition, the study points to unique characteristics of Autism that affect the anxiety experience, such as difficulty coping with changes in routine and dealing with harassment or bullying.

The autistic adults in the study described how being autistic affects their anxiety experience, both psychologically and in daily life. They emphasized that current support for anxiety problems is insufficient, and that a deeper understanding of anxiety in the autistic context can improve the support provided.

These initial findings highlight the importance of listening to the experiences of autistic people in order to develop more effective interventions and support. For autistic adults in Israel, this means there is a need for continued research and development of support approaches that recognize the unique characteristics of the anxiety experience on the spectrum, and provide personalized solutions. It is important to remember that a single study is a first step towards comprehensive understanding, and the researchers recommend further studies - both qualitative and quantitative - to deepen knowledge in the field.