Exploring Autism Through a Neurodivergent-Affirming Lens

Autism is often misunderstood, especially in adults. If you've spent your life masking, feeling out of sync, or being labeled as “too much” or “too sensitive,” you might be autistic. And that doesn’t mean broken, it means your brain works beautifully and differently.

Signs You Might Be Autistic (That Aren’t on a Checklist)

• Sensory sensitivity (lights, fabrics, sounds, crowds)

• Struggles with unspoken social rules

• Preference for structure, routines, or deep special interests

• Difficulty identifying or communicating feelings (alexithymia)

• Burnout from masking your needs in work or relationships

• Feeling deeply empathetic but overwhelmed by emotions

Autism and Identity
Many of our autistic clients grew up in environments where they were taught to mask, especially in high-demand religious or family systems. You may have learned to perform what was expected, but at great personal cost. Autistic adults are also more likely to experience anxiety, depression, trauma, and identity questioning.

Getting Support Isn’t About “Fixing” Anything
We don’t believe autism is something to cure. Instead, therapy can help you:

• Unmask in safe spaces

• Set boundaries that honor your sensory needs

• Understand meltdowns or shutdowns without shame

• Navigate relationships while staying true to yourself

• Build a life that respects your rhythms

The Found Mental Health Approach
Found is a neurodivergent-affirming practice. That means we don’t pathologize difference, we embrace it. Whether you're self-identifying or recently diagnosed, we offer therapy that honors your lived experience and supports your growth with compassion and respect.

Offices located in Provo, UT | Online help available across Utah