Being infantilized could potentially result in:
- Decreased self-esteem
- Increased dependency on others
- Lack of basic life skills (cooking, laundry, etc).
- Feelings of inadequacy

Infantilization refers to the treatment of an adult or an adolescent as if they were a small child or infant. While anyone can experience infantilization, individuals on the autism spectrum are often more prone to being treated in this manner.

Infantilization in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Bosco, M. C. L. (2023). ‘Bodies that never grow’: How psychiatric understanding of autism spectrum disorders affects autistic people's bodily experience of gender, ageing, and sexual desire. Journal of Aging Studies, 64, 101101.
Stevenson, J. L., Harp, B., & Gernsbacher, M. A. (2011). Infantilizing Autism. Disability studies quarterly: DSQ, 31(3). 

ASD & Infantilization Reference List

Negative Effects of Infantilization on those with ASD

Potential reasons behind infantilization include:
* Portrayals of autism in media
* Lack of understanding of ASD
* To convey a feeling of superiority
* The person or people engaging in infantilization do not realize they are doing so

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