Adolescence is widely understood as a period of rapid change, yet for autistic young people it often brings a particular intensity that remains poorly recognised. In this episode of The William Gomes Podcast, William Gomes examines how adolescence is experienced from an autistic perspective, exploring why this stage of life can feel so destabilising and how understanding adults can offer meaningful support.
The conversation moves beyond surface level descriptions of teenage difficulty and instead centres autistic lived experience. William speaks with clarity and restraint about how multiple forms of change converge at once, often without adequate adjustment in expectations or support.
Autism and the Changing Landscape of Adolescence
As bodies change during puberty, many autistic adolescents experience heightened sensory sensitivity. Physical discomfort, hormonal shifts and increased bodily awareness can all amplify stress. At the same time, social environments often become louder, faster and more demanding, particularly within secondary education and peer groups.
William reflects on how social rules during adolescence tend to become less explicit and more reliant on unspoken norms. For autistic young people, this can create a constant sense of uncertainty. Behaviours that were previously tolerated may suddenly be criticised, while expectations around maturity and independence increase without discussion. The episode carefully outlines how this mismatch can leave autistic teenagers feeling as though they are constantly falling short, even when they are doing their best to cope.
Identity, Difference and Self Understanding
A central theme of the episode is identity development. Adolescence is the stage at which many young people begin to consciously ask who they are and how they fit into the world. For autistic adolescents, this process is often shaped by years of being positioned as different or difficult.
William discusses how repeated experiences of misunderstanding can influence self perception. When difference is framed as a problem, autistic teenagers may internalise shame or feel pressure to mask their traits in order to belong. The episode approaches this topic with sensitivity, emphasising the importance of allowing autistic young people to explore identity without judgement or correction.
Rather than presenting autism as something to be overcome, William reinforces the value of autistic identity as a legitimate and meaningful way of being. This framing is particularly important during adolescence, when messages about worth and belonging can have long lasting effects.
Supporting Autistic Teenagers with Care and Realism
The episode also speaks directly to parents, educators and professionals. William does not offer rigid strategies or behavioural checklists. Instead, he advocates for slower, more thoughtful support rooted in listening and trust.
He highlights how reducing unnecessary pressure, adjusting expectations and offering emotional safety can make a profound difference. Adolescence, he suggests, is not a phase that autistic young people need to be pushed through, but a period that requires companionship, patience and respect. Support is framed not as control, but as understanding presence.
This episode offers a grounded and humane exploration of autism in adolescence. It deepens understanding without simplifying experience and provides language for realities that are often felt but rarely articulated.
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