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Mental Health

Mental health means a person's psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It includes how people respond to challenges and successes in life.


Mental health impacts how people think, feel, and act. It can affect how well people respond to stress and can include disorders like anxiety and depression. It can change over time.


Autistic people and parents are more likely to struggle with mental health, often because there are fewer appropriate supports available. To take care of mental health, people can ask their doctor for support in finding appropriate supports, like connecting with other people including through therapy.

© 2025 by PEAAK Advisory Board with support by the Organization for Autism Research and Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

A Note On Language: We use "autistic child" in line with autistic self-advocates. Some prefer "child with autism." We respect everyone's choice.

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