There are many different signs of adulthood autism, even if you focus on people who function very well. In adults with autism, you might notice challenges in how they communicate, their interests, emotions, behavior, and how they react to things like noise or touch. The Centers for Disease Control says that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can affect people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and income levels. More: The power of sincere gratitude
Autism usually means difficulties in socializing and communicating, along with repetitive behaviors. Severe forms of autism are often identified in the first two years of a child’s life, but for those who are high-functioning, it might not be recognized until later on in life.
Autism doesn’t have to define a person. Artists with autism are like anyone else:
Adrienne Bailon
They define themselves through hard work and individuality.
Recognizing autism with high support needs and the distinction from ADHD
Sometimes, parents and doctors don’t notice the signs of autism in kids who function well, meaning they can manage on their own. This used to be called Asperger’s syndrome, but now it’s considered part of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Kids with autism might also get confused with having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) because both can make it hard to communicate and lead to repetitive behaviors. Even though someone could have both, experts have gotten better at telling the differences between ADHD and ASD over time.
Signs of adulthood autism you should look out for
Signs of adulthood autism show up in these 6 ways:
- Challenges in advanced language abilities, including verbal reasoning, problem-solving, and making inferences and predictions.
- Issues with grasping someone else’s perspective.
- Struggles in initiating and sustaining social interactions.
- Unpredictable responses in social situations.
- A inclination towards routines and schedules, with disruptions causing stress or anxiety.
- Engagement in specialized areas of interest or hobbies.
Some grown-ups with autism might seem a bit like they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while others might have trouble speaking. The important thing is, autism in adults can look different from person to person. No matter how it shows up, the challenges that come with autism symptoms can make everyday life a bit tricky. As we learn more about these challenges, more people are getting diagnosed with autism. More: Healing through the Theta Healing technique
- Troubles in Social Communication
As an adult with ASD, picking up on social cues like facial expressions or gestures can be tough. Also, making back-and-forth conversations and understanding others’ feelings challenging. Sarcasm and figures of speech might be especially tricky.
- Focused Interests
Adults with ASD often have intense interests in specific topics, which can be impressive but may limit participation in broader conversations, making it hard to connect with others who don’t share those interests.
- Repetitive Behaviors and Routines
Maintaining routines is important for feeling secure, and disruptions can lead to emotional outbursts, like anger or frustration.
- Sensory Sensitivities
Certain sensations may be unbearable for those with ASD. Things like pain from touch or discomfort from specific sounds, smells, or textures, lead to efforts to avoid these discomforts. More: Acupuncture therapy: What are the benefits?
Why do people have autism?
In adults with autism, there are common signs that can help identify the condition. They may find it challenging to understand what others are thinking or feeling, and interpreting facial expressions, body language, or social cues can be difficult. Emotional regulation may also pose a challenge, leading to struggles in maintaining a conversation and expressing feelings appropriately.
Adults with autism might speak with a tone that doesn’t match their emotions and may tend to engage in monologues about their favorite subjects, finding it hard to navigate the natural flow of a conversation. Repetitive or routine behaviors, a limited range of activities, and a strong preference for sticking to daily routines are also noticeable traits. Changes in routines can trigger emotional outbursts, and individuals may exhibit intense and specific interests. These signs collectively contribute to understanding autism in adults. More: Heal your life: The empowering philosophy of Louise Hay
Scientists are still figuring out if autism comes from things in our bodies or things around us. It might be both. They’re looking into a few possible reasons:
Changes in our genes might connect to certain autism symptoms. They make someone more likely to have autism or decide how severe the symptoms are. Some things around us, like air pollution, could lead to autism in a child who is already likely to have it. Problems with the immune system, how our bodies work, or how our brains develop might also have autism part. More: Discover your true path with North Node
Tips for building relationships with signs of adulthood autism
If it’s hard for people to understand you, and you find it tough to understand them, building relationships might be a challenge. But there are ways to still have a good social life.
You can think about telling others about your diagnosis. It might be tricky because of the stigma around autism, but sharing this information can help people close to you understand why certain things bother you or why you find certain social cues challenging.
When you feel overwhelmed by things like too much noise or a busy conversation, let others know. You can try to minimize distractions by changing where you are or having a one-on-one chat instead of being in a big group. More: The power of progress: Commit to daily self-improvement
Find things in common with the person you’re talking to. If you both like the same hobbies, that’s great. But even if you don’t, you can look for other things you both enjoy or don’t like. It could be something simple, like both enjoying cars or both not liking loud noises. Finding common ground can make conversations more relaxed and enjoyable.
If you ever feel alone or think your friends who think in a more typical way don’t understand you, joining a support group could be helpful. These groups can happen online or in person, and they come in different sizes.
Being part of a support group is a good way to connect with other people who experience similar things in life. You might make friends for life and become an important part of someone else’s support system. In these group sessions, you can also learn more about the neurodiversity movement. It is all about getting rid of the social stigmas tied to autism and being neurodivergent in general. More: Emotions as teachers: What can we learn from them?
Source: ADDitude and Better Health Channel
