Autism Spectrum Disorder

What Are the Signs of Autism in Adults?

Autism in adults has entered the public lexicon only in recent years, which reflects both an increase in diagnoses and understanding that, even late in life, understanding your ASD can offer major benefits and relief. Learn more about common signs of autism in adults here.

Janice Rodden
By Janice Rodden Verified Medically reviewed by ADDitude’s ADHD Medical Review Panel Updated on July 22, 2024
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Autism in Adults: Overview

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) occurs in all age, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1 Autism is generally characterized by social and communication difficulties and by repetitive behaviors. While ASD is most often diagnosed in childhood, many individuals may not be diagnosed until much later in life.

Signs of autism occur in three main areas:

  • Social interactions
  • Verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Repetitive or ritualistic behaviors

Some autistic adults may exhibit symptoms that resemble ADHD; others may have symptoms like limited spoken language. Bottom line – adult autism can manifest in different ways. Regardless of manifestation or severity, ASD symptoms can pose challenges in everyday life. And as our understanding of those challenges improves, more people than ever are being diagnosed with ASD.

[Self-Test: Autism Symptoms In Adults]

Autism in Adults: Diagnostic Criteria

Symptoms of autism in adults include:

  • Difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling
  • Trouble interpreting facial expressions, body language, or social cues
  • Difficulty regulating emotion
  • Trouble keeping up a conversation
  • Inflection that does not reflect feelings
  • Difficulty maintaining the natural give-and-take of a conversation; prone to monologues on a favorite subject
  • Tendency to engage in repetitive or routine behaviors
  • Only participates in a restricted range of activities
  • Strict consistency to daily routines; outbursts when changes occur
  • Exhibiting strong, special interests

Autism is considered a lifelong condition, though early diagnosis and treatment can make a tremendous difference.

Autism in Adults: Symptoms at Home

Friendships have often baffled you. You have a collection of figurines on your desk that must be in the same order at all times. These, and other common manifestations of ASD, may be apparent in adults at home:

  • Even when you’re in a quiet place, like the library, you find yourself making involuntary noises or engaging in repetitive behaviors (stimming). Or you consciously suppress (mask) these behaviors.
  • You follow the same schedule every day of the week, and strongly dislike unexpected events.
  • You are always bumping into things and tripping over your own feet.
  • In your leisure time, you prefer to play individual games and sports, like golf, where everyone works for themselves instead of working toward a common goal on a team.

Autism in Adults: Symptoms at Work

Symptoms of ASD vary greatly from person to person. These or similar manifestations of ASD may be apparent at work:

  • You’re unsure about which behaviors are considered appropriate for the workplace.
  • You struggle to understand the different ways that language may be used to
    communicate (e.g., irony, white lies)
  • When you’re having a conversation with your boss, you prefer to look at the wall, her shoes, or anywhere but directly into their eyes.
  • Your co-workers say that you speak like a robot.
  • You struggle with planning, prioritizing, time management, and other executive functioning skills.
  • Each item on your desk has a special place, and you don’t like when the cleaning company rearranges it to dust.
  • You are really good at noticing patterns.
  • During meetings, you find yourself making involuntary noises or movements, or you suppress these behaviors.
  • When talking with your boss, you have difficulty telling if they are happy with your performance or mad at you.

In addition, autistic individuals may exhibit extraordinary talents in visual skills, music, math, and art.

If you experience these or similar symptoms of ASD, consult a doctor or mental-health professional for a formal autism evaluation and learn more about treatment options for autism symptoms in adults.

Signs of Autism in Adults: Next Steps

View Article Sources

1“Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ed. Center for Disease Control. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 12 Dec. 2019. 

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