Table 2.

Autistic Participant's Perspectives on Stress and Coping

Subthemes	Quotes
Theme 1: Physical and emotional responses to stress
Theme 1A: Physical manifestations	Sometimes stress makes me feel slightly nauseous … also generally stress drains my energy over time if I am stuck in a stressful situation for a long time
Theme 1B: Mental manifestations	Overwhelmed … Frustrated [Stress] sometimes makes me feel like I dislike myself, or maybe disliking/criticizing myself is where the stress comes from
Theme 2: Responsibility and relationship-related stressors
Theme 2A: Managing lots of responsibilities	Sometimes [worried] because you can and will be held accountable for bigger things
Theme 2B: School and work challenges	Stress sucks. I usually get it when there's a lot of school work piling up or when we're getting really busy at work
Theme 2C: Finance	There are still some responsibilities that I have not experienced yet, like paying bills
Theme 2D: Social interactions and relationships	When people don't understand autism Just like people's accountability and stuff
Theme 3: Participants manage stress in various ways
Theme 3A: Relaxation	Usually breathing, rubbing my temples, and sort of going to my happy place helps get me out of it. Go for a walk or say “I need a break”
Theme 3B: Use of technology	Sometimes I'll look at pictures on my phone of my pets or other things that bring me calm or happiness. I play videogames. That helps sometimes
Theme 3C: Family and friends	Try to get advice from people who have done this a lot in their lives. Sometimes I tell my friends about things that are stressing me out