What Does Autism Look Like in Adults?
You’ve always felt different, but didn’t know why. An autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis can help shine a light on why certain things have always been difficult, while others came easily.
More severe forms of ASD are often diagnosed in the first two years of a child’s life, but less severe forms may slip by undiagnosed into adulthood. Even late in life, a diagnosis can offer major benefits and relief.
What Does Autism Look Like in Adults?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not solely a childhood diagnosis.
ASD affects adults in three main areas:
- Social interactions
- Verbal and nonverbal communication
- Repetitive or ritualistic behaviors
Symptoms occur on a spectrum of severity. Some adults are high functioning while others face formidable daily challenges. No two people with ASD are the same.
Common symptoms in adults include:
- Difficulty understanding others’ feelings
- Trouble keeping up with conversations
- Inflection that does not reflect feelings
- Strict consistency to daily routines or activities
- Deep knowledge of one particular topic
- Trouble interpreting body language, facial expressions, or social cues
If you think you might show signs of ASD, answer these self-test questions.
- Have you always wanted a best friend, but never found one?
- Do people often refer to you as “quirky” or “eccentric?”
- When having a conversation, do you avoid making eye contact?
- Are expressions like, “Curiosity killed the cat” confusing to you?
- Is your memory like a steel trap, even for facts that you don’t fully understand?
- Do you follow the same routine every day, and dislike unexpected events?
- Do you talk to friends at a party the same way you would talk to co-workers in the office?
- Are you always bumping into things, or tripping over your own feet?
- When you’re in a quiet place, do you make involuntary noises, like clearing your throat, over and over?
- Are you really good at math or music, but struggle in other areas?
If you agreed with a majority of these statements, you may have some characteristics that resemble ASD. Take your results to a healthcare professional and request an evaluation.
This self-test video is not intended to diagnose or replace the care of a healthcare professional. An accurate diagnosis can only be made through a clinical evaluation. For personal use only.
