The Autistic Experience, Illustrated
ADDitude is proud to feature these original works from autistic artists who make the world more vibrant and interesting.
What does autism look like to you? If you had to illustrate your experience of neurodivergence, what would it look like?
To complement ADDitude magazine’s Spring 2026 cover story on autism, we invited readers to share artwork that captures the diversity and depth of life on the spectrum for them. Here, we spotlight seven artists whose artwork is as varied as the autistic community itself.
“My art is as detailed as my cluttered brain folds, and the detailed artworks that conceal things in the nooks and crannies are most representative of how this autistic person sees the world.”
Kimberly Gerry-Tucker
Connecticut
“I painted this piece to understand myself better, to feel free and renewed. This piece represents strength and humility talking with each other in my inner universe.”
Marcele Silvina Rodrigues White
Epsom, United Kingdom
“I originally painted this piece to explore colors and textures and to capture the magic I see in nature. As a neurodivergent person, this painting is me: bright, bold, beautiful, and sometimes, a little chaotic, just like Mother Nature.”
Casey-Lee Flood
Hai’kū, Hawaii
“I drew this image because, my whole life, I felt like an alien who didn’t belong. Today, this alien stands proud in a sea of other neurodivergent folks. I finally feel seen and accepted for who I am.”
Cat Contillo
Newburgh, New York
“Many people are under the false understanding that individuals with autism are restricted by their diagnosis and act according to their prescribed identity. The sky here is visible and asks for attention, just as autism is still characterizing and relevant but isn’t the most important thing on the canvas.”
Lilly Corradetti
Ontario, Canada
“There is beauty and vibrance in embracing neurodivergence. I have learned to move with the dance of darkness, light, and color, in the emergence of self, and integrating who I am.”
Angela Taylor
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
“I wanted to portray the complexities of what it is like for neurodivergent people to mask, and how much of ourselves we lose in the process. It is my first piece of work, and, because of that, I found it cathartic to finally put my experiences of masking down on canvas. As chaotic as it looks, it’s very real.”
Lilya Taylor
Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Understanding Autism: Next Steps
- Free eBook: The Truth About Autism in Adults
- Read: “My Art Style is Expressive, Bold, and Moving — Like Me.”
- Read: “A Big Part of Unmasking Is Honoring Your Limits”
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