What Are the Challenges of Living Alone for Individuals with Autism? 

Living alone is often a goal for many individuals with autism, as it represents independence, autonomy, and the ability to make one’s own decisions. However, the reality of living alone presents unique challenges. From managing daily tasks to navigating social isolation, individuals with autism can face difficulties that require additional support, planning, and strategies. 

This article explores the challenges of living alone for individuals with autism and offers practical solutions to help overcome these barriers. 

1. Sensory Overload and Environmental Control 

One of the primary challenges for individuals with autism living alone is dealing with sensory sensitivities. These sensitivities can make it difficult to create a comfortable living environment or manage daily life. 

Challenges: 

• Noise: Buses, traffic, and even the sounds of appliances can be overwhelming. 

• Lighting: Bright or flickering lights can cause discomfort or distress. 

• Smells: Strong cooking smells, cleaning products, or fragrances may lead to sensory overload. 

Solutions: 

• Control lighting: Use adjustable lighting, such as dimmer switches or soft, warm LED lights. 

• Noise-cancelling headphones: Use them during noisy tasks like cleaning or cooking. 

• Create a sensory-friendly environment: Keep strong smells, sounds, and bright lights to a minimum. Invest in appliances with lower noise levels or use calming sensory tools like weighted blankets or soft fabric for comfort. 

NHS England highlights that managing sensory input is essential for emotional regulation and independent living. 

2. Executive Functioning and Daily Tasks 

Autistic individuals often experience difficulties with executive functioning, which includes the ability to plan, organise, and manage time effectively. These skills are essential for managing household chores, finances, and appointments when living alone. 

Challenges: 

• Difficulty maintaining a routine or keeping track of tasks. 

• Organising and completing chores without external reminders. 

• Handling unexpected changes to schedules. 

Solutions: 

• Use digital tools: Leverage calendar apps and reminder apps to schedule tasks and appointments. 

• Simplify daily routines: Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps. For instance, instead of “clean the house,” list individual tasks like “vacuum the living room” and “wipe kitchen counters.” 

• Visual reminders: Create visual schedules, charts, or checklists to track daily and weekly tasks. 

ACAS recommends using technology to help organise tasks and create predictable routines, which are crucial for fostering independence. 

3. Managing Health and Self-Care 

Health management and self-care are essential components of living alone. However, executive functioning difficulties and sensory sensitivities may make managing health independently challenging. 

Challenges: 

• Difficulty maintaining a healthy routine, such as cooking, exercising, or attending appointments. 

• Forgetting to take medications or manage health-related tasks. 

• Anxiety or stress related to unfamiliar situations like doctor’s appointments. 

Solutions: 

• Set regular reminders for medication, appointments, and self-care activities. 

• Prepare easy-to-cook meals using batch cooking or pre-packaged meal kits, reducing stress around cooking. 

• Join online health communities to support or use telehealth services to make doctor appointments more accessible. 

The National Autistic Society  emphasizes that using structured systems for health management promotes confidence and wellbeing. 

4. Social Isolation and Building Relationships 

Living alone can sometimes lead to social isolation, especially for individuals who struggle with social interactions or communication. Although some autistic individuals may prefer solitude, the lack of social contact can affect emotional wellbeing. 

Challenges: 

• Difficulty forming or maintaining relationships due to communication differences. 

• Social anxiety or stress in public or social settings. 

• Lack of support for managing loneliness. 

Solutions: 

• Use online communities: Join autism-friendly online forums, groups, or virtual events to connect with others and share experiences. 

• Schedule regular social interactions: Regularly plan calls, video chats, or meet-ups with friends or family members. 

• Social skills training: Participate in training programs that improve communication skills for real-life social interactions. 

Autistica supports the idea of fostering community connections through online or structured social events, reducing the risk of isolation. 

5. Financial Management and Budgeting 

Living alone requires financial independence, which may pose challenges for individuals with autism due to difficulties with executive functioning, organisation, and impulsive spending. 

Challenges: 

• Keep track of bills, expenses, and savings. 

• Organising finances or understanding complex financial systems. 

• Overwhelmed by financial decision-making, such as budgeting and managing debts. 

Solutions: 

• Use budgeting apps: Tools like Mint or You Need a Budget (YNAB) can help track income, expenses, and savings goals. 

• Set up automatic payments for regular bills like rent, utilities, and insurance. 

• Simplify financial decisions: Keep track of one-off or irregular expenses with visual reminders. 

6. Handling Unexpected Changes or Emergencies 

Living alone can make dealing with unexpected situations more challenging, such as emergencies, changes in routine, or unforeseen issues like plumbing problems or transport disruptions. 

Challenges: 

• Struggling with changes in plans or routines. 

• Difficulty handling stress during emergencies or unfamiliar situations. 

Solutions: 

• Create a crisis plan: Keep a list of emergency contacts (doctors, friends, family, etc.) and have a plan for handling specific scenarios (e.g., power outages or illness). 

• Practice flexibility: Work with a support person to develop strategies for managing changes in routine, like changing work hours or an unexpected cancellation. 

• Use calming techniques: Practice deep breathing or relaxation exercises to manage anxiety in difficult situations. 

ACAS highlights the importance of preparation and having a system for managing stress in emergencies, making independent living more manageable. Autism Detect encourages using visual tools and digital systems to make budgeting easier and reduce financial stress.