The objective of this study is to analyze how impairments and abilities in social interactions are described in autobiographies of people who tell about their life in the light of their autism and/or ADHD diagnosis. The study is based om empirical material sourced from four autobiographical narratives that were written by people with autism whereof two authors also have ADHD. By putting narratives of people with these diagnoses in the center of the research, stresses this study the need for insider perspectives on research within social studies seeing them as an important source of knowledge concerning the support needs of people with these diagnoses. Using a qualitative approach and narrative analysis as a method, this study identifies three main topics that emerge from the narratives: otherness, the necessity to adapt to neurotypical norms of social conduct and desire to raise awareness about neurodevelopmental disorders. 

The study’s result highlights the stigma associated with autism and ADHD which can be associated with society’s malfunction to adapt to the needs of people with these diagnoses.  Although core symptoms of autism and ADHD are perceived as a problem, participants placed greater emphasis on social problems that arise from living with these diagnoses and their effects on self-image. Results have shown that individuals with autism and/or ADHD invest a great amount of effort in their attempts to adapt to the norms of social conduct that are constructed in accordance with neurotypical standards which can, as this study concluded, have a negative impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Furthermore, concludes this study with a suggestion that individuals with autism and/or ADHD might benefit from availability of the option to carry out online contact with the professionals within the system of social support.