Autism is a lifelong disability that affects people long after childhood, yet research and support for people with autism often stop after they reach 18. Autism in adults is an issue that has recently received much more attention. More people than ever are getting diagnosed with autism for the first time as adults. These adults need treatment plans, support, and accommodations different from children, because symptoms present differently in adults than in children.
This article explores the signs of adult autism and what treatments are available for adults with autism. Read on to learn more.
Call out: Curious if you have adult autism? Take our free, online autism test to assess the likelihood of being on the autism spectrum.
Prevalence of Autism in Adults
Although more research has to be done into the prevalence of autism in adults, research estimates that around 2.2% of adults have autism. Some researchers suspect the real prevalence is higher, and that many adults are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. For comparison, around 1.67% of children aged 8 are diagnosed with autism. Why is there a discrepancy?
For one, autism is a lifelong disorder, meaning there is no cure. If you were a child with autism, then you will be an adult with autism, even if your symptoms are well managed. Also, current autism diagnosis standards for children have been criticized for being too narrow and missing children who have unusual symptoms or who mask very well.
What Is Autistic Masking?
“Masking” is a term used to describe covering up socially unacceptable behaviors. It is common in a lot of neurodivergences, including ADHD, OCD, and autism. For example, hand flapping is a common trait seen in young autistic children, but is not a socially acceptable behavior. As a result, a child may start to mask the behavior by fidgeting in more socially acceptable ways, such as with a fidget toy or by tapping their fingers.
Although masking can be necessary to get by in some social situations, it often has an overall negative effect on the person doing the masking. It can take a lot of mental energy and leave them feeling exhausted, anxious, and drained.
Children who are exceptionally good at masking, or who display autistic symptoms in an unusual way, may get missed by standard testing. As adults, they may start seeing a therapist for anxiety or burnout. The therapist is likely to notice signs of autism and send them to get diagnosed. This is why some statistics show an inflated percentage of autism diagnoses in adults versus children.
Signs of Autism in Adults
Autism in adults will look different than that in kids. Symptoms include:
- Difficulty understanding and interpreting social cues and non-verbal communication.
- Preference for routines and rituals, becoming upset with changes.
- Sensory sensitivities or aversions to stimuli such as lights, sounds, or textures.
- Difficulty with verbal communication, such as challenges in starting or maintaining conversations.
- Narrow interests or hyperfocus on specific topics.
- Difficulties in understanding others' perspectives or feelings.
- Struggles with managing emotions and expressing them appropriately.
- Difficulty with organization and time management.
- Tendency to take language literally, leading to misunderstandings in communication.
- Avoidance of eye contact or challenges with maintaining prolonged eye contact.
Autism is a spectrum, which can make diagnosing it all the more difficult. Some people may have more needs than others. For example, some autistic people are nonverbal, meaning they do not communicate with words, whereas others have no problem making complex demands and responding to in-depth questions. The same wide spectrum of abilities and disabilities is present throughout autism symptoms.
Autism in Adult Women
Recent research has revealed that autism may look differently in girls and women than it does in boys and men. Boys are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than women. Although there does seem to be a gendered difference in autism, it may not be quite so severe as that.
Women and girls often exhibit autistic symptoms differently than boys and men, because they were socialized differently. Many symptoms of autism deal with their ability to socialize and connect to the world around them, and girls are taught to do so in a different way than boys. It makes sense, then, why autistic women would behave differently than autistic men.
Women often have less issues with socialization and more internalized issues when it comes to autism. These include:
- Sensory sensitivities
- Difficulty with self-regulation and executive functioning
- Intense interests
- Repetitive behaviors
Among others, this does not represent a complete list.
What Does High-Functioning Autism Look Like In an Adult?
The term “high functioning” is not an official diagnosis or medical term, but it can be helpful in describing a subset of people who have autistic traits but do not need as many accommodations and support as others.
Since the autism spectrum disorder is a spectrum, some people will have a lot of accommodations and others will not. Those who do not need as much support are considered “high functioning”
Examples of high-functioning autism in adults include:
- Sasha finds it challenging to maintain eye contact during conversations and often prefers to engage in activities alone, such as reading or working on intricate mechanical projects. He excels in his career as an engineer due to his keen attention to detail and exceptional problem-solving abilities. However, social gatherings and navigating workplace interactions can be overwhelming for him, leading to a preference for structured, predictable routines.
- Emily experiences extreme sensitivity to sounds and textures, making crowded spaces, loud noises, or certain clothing unbearable. Despite her extraordinary talent in art and design, she struggles to work in open office environments and finds it difficult to express her needs. This leads to misunderstandings with colleagues and feelings of isolation.
- James faces challenges in understanding the intentions and emotions of others, leading to occasional misinterpretations in social situations. His deep knowledge of history and his ability to recite dates and events with remarkable accuracy have made him a valuable asset in his role as a historian. However, he often feels misunderstood and struggles to establish meaningful connections with his peers, which takes a toll on his overall well-being.
High-functioning autism may not require as many accommodations and support needs as others on the spectrum, but it’s still important to feel supported. Therapy can help.
How to Diagnose Autism in Adults
Getting an autism diagnosis as an adult can be tricky, because there is no set of symptoms specifically for adults. Instead, a psychologist or psychiatrist will talk with you, observe your behaviors, ask questions about your childhood, and may ask to interview close family members or friends. Because of this, an autism diagnosis may take place over several sessions or weeks.
The best way to get diagnosed is to talk to a therapist about your concerns. They can refer you out to someone with the license to diagnose autism.
One way to start the process of getting an autism diagnosis is to reach out to Lifebulb. We have psychiatrists who can diagnose autism as well as therapists who can help treat autism and refer you to a testing agency if needed.
Contact out team to get diagnosed with autism.
