Understanding Autism in Adults: Recognizing the Signs and Strategies for Coping

Almost every one of us knows about autism in children. However, only a few know about autism in adults. Although in many cases, people with autism receive a diagnosis in childhood, however, some adults with the disorder are not diagnosed in childhood. Autism in adults might show different symptoms than in children.

This article will guide you about the signs of autism in adults and make you know various ways to live with it.

Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders. ⁽¹⁾ Sometimes, some people have different ways of thinking, feeling, or doing things that are not quite normal. They might have autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), even though the condition might not be diagnosed in their childhood. Adults with autism have body language, social skills, behaviors, interests, and general preferences that do not match with others.

Symptoms of autism in adults tend to be most prominent in the affected individual’s social and emotional skills, communication skills, interests, and behavioral patterns. Autism has a wide range of symptoms, and we can categorize them under the following subheadings.

Adults with autism have a tough time reading social signs. This can include everything from other person’s gestures or tone of voice to facial expression, thus making it hard to maintain back-and-forth conversations or communicate with others effectively. Figures of speech and Sarcasm could be quite tricky to detect in adults with autism.

Moreover, the monotone voice or limited facial expressions in the affected individuals make it difficult for others to properly interpret their feelings and thoughts. One more problem could be eye contact and adults with autism find it difficult to maintain proper eye contact with others which makes it hard to have effective conversation.

Repetitive and restrictive behaviors are common traits of autism. ⁽²⁾ Some common repetitive behaviors include repetitively rocking the body, closing and opening drawers, or talking the same thing continuously. Having an intense, fixated interest in certain activities, subjects, or objects, are some of the restrictive behaviors seen in adults with autism.

Another major sign seen in adults with autism is their social issues. Some adults with autism cannot bear specific sensations. They might feel pain even if someone taps them on their arm. Certain smells, sounds, or textures might elicit a similar unpleasant reaction. These sensory problems in autistic adults could be so strong that the affected people can do anything to avoid that discomfort.

We all have our interests. However, adults with autism usually focus on one or two things that they find extremely fascinating. For example, these people might have an encyclopedic knowledge of a movie or web series, or a historical event.

It might impress some people, however, adults with autism might have nothing to do with others when the conversations go beyond their favorite subject or thing. This can even lead them to avoid social interactions.

Some other common signs of autism in adults include: ⁽³⁾

• Challenges with regulating emotions
• Difficulty making or maintaining close relationships
• Involuntary noises, such as repetitive clearing of the throat.
• Frequent monologues on the same subject
• Lack of inflection while speaking
• Preference for solitary activities
• Problems reading or interpreting others’ emotions.
• Social anxiety
• Trouble understanding facial expressions and body language.
• The strong need to arrange items in a particular order
• Superior abilities in a specific field, such as mathematics or some other disciplines. ⁽⁴⁾

There could be some similarities between autism and other disorders like ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, the signs and symptoms of autism vary from one person to another. Moreover, the symptoms can also differ across genders.

Autism shows a striking male bias in prevalence, with four affected males for every, one affected female. ⁽⁵⁾ Some scientists theorize this could be because women generally are better at imitating socially acceptable behavior. Women often learn to “mask certain behaviors that seem to draw the attention of others.

It is also possible that females with autism have repetitive behavior tendencies and narrow interests that are not considered unusual. For instance, a female adult with autism who feels the urge to organize dishes neatly or someone who is only fascinated with music theory might pass as “neurotypical”.

Some adults with autism may find it extremely hard to live with their condition. Many of the similar symptoms that appear in children with autism might also exist in adults with the condition. However, adults experiencing these signs and symptoms would find it difficult to live independently.

A study on services and outcomes in adults with autism has shown that 27% of the adult participants with autism were unemployed. ⁽⁶⁾ In the same study it was also found that 25% of adult participants with autism reported not getting enough support services.

For adults with autism who experience more challenges in leading their day-to-day lives, the following things could be helpful.

Having proper education and learning more about autism can give adults with autism and their family members or caregivers a better understanding of the condition. With proper education and learning about the condition, friends, and family of autistic individuals can help reduce stress and become more compassionate towards them. This will also help persons with autism feel validated and find solutions that effectively work for them.

One of the most essential things that can make things go smoother for adults with autism is improving communication and relationships. It can be difficult for autistic persons to communicate effectively or maintain relationships, however, their dear ones can try their best to understand their feelings and thoughts and also assist them in conversing with at least their favorite persons.

Do not fear disclosing your diagnosis. Although talking about your diagnosis could be pretty hard and the social stigma linked with autism can make you feel shy from doing so. However, letting our close friends and family members know about the condition can help them understand and know you better, and this could help improve your relationships.

Sometimes you find it quite difficult to note down everything that is going on in an intense group conversation. Sometimes it could be hard for you to deal with loud traffic or barking dogs. In such cases, note down when you are experiencing sensory overload and try to minimize such distractions by switching rooms or leaving the place.

Exercise is good for body and mind. It can ease stress and worries. Being physically active can be particularly beneficial for helping adults with autism manage their anger or aggression. People suffering from autism should find an aerobic exercise that fits into their daily routine. These exercises should be simple and should not put extra pressure on them. The exercises should be something that they enjoy.

Some individuals find that anxiety and depression accompany symptoms of autism. For example, difficulty relating to others can develop feelings of anxiety. Increased anxiety can, again make it harder to communicate.

Adults with autism have feelings of isolation and this can also trigger depression. However, taking appropriate steps can help them manage their mood and also improve how they feel.

Relaxation techniques like mindfulness meditation and deep breathing can help manage symptoms of anxiety experienced by adults with autism. ⁽⁷⁾ A study conducted in 2020 showed that self-guided mindfulness and cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT) could be beneficial in reducing levels of anxiety in adults with an autism spectrum disorder or autism. ⁽⁸⁾

One more way to lead a good life with autism is by developing good sleep hygiene. Poor sleep quality or lack of sleep can affect mood, thus making people with autism more anxious, irritable, and unhappy. Unfortunately, insomnia is a common issue with autistic adults. However, try to follow sleep hygiene like maintaining proper bedroom temperature, using comfortable blankets, and so on.

Although many adults with autism are highly organized, some may become extremely disorganized. To remain organized, try to use a timer that keeps you on track. Work on things that fascinate you. This way you will find all ways to stay organized.

Sometimes socializing can also improve mood in adults with autism, especially if they have people who share similar interests. Relying on close friends, looking for gatherings where people share similar hobbies, and interacting with them help enhance their mood.

Joining support groups or making friends with other autistic adults can help in reading and presenting social cues effectively. These group interactions may take place either online or in person with groups of different sizes.

A growing body of evidence has shown that access to autistic peers can benefit a person with autism quite positively. ⁽⁹⁾

Although treatments are often recommended for children with autism, adults who have autism may also find some types of treatment to be effective. Therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy along with vocational rehabilitation can help a lot. ⁽¹⁰⁾

For adults with autism, getting a proper diagnosis for the condition can provide great relief and access to supportive services and group. Moreover, it can also help in prompt treatment and improve the quality of life in individuals with autism.                                                                                  

References:

Also Read:

• Autism: Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Treatment, Home Treatment, Alternate Therapies
• Benefits of Weighted Blanket for Autism
• Autism Diagnosis
• Autism Symptoms Checklist
• Chelation Therapy For Autism
• Can Little Kid’s Food Habits Signal Autism?