Adult ASD Symptoms

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can present in different ways in adults – including how people interact and communicate with others, and their interests and how they pursue them.

But how do you know when these are signs of ASD and not just individual behaviours? And when is it worth getting a diagnosis?

In this guide, Clinical Psychologist Dr Lisa Williams looks at some common signs of autism in adults and how a diagnosis can help people get the support they need to thrive.

Not all people with autism present the same signs. And not everyone who presents signs of ASD will have a clinical diagnosis.

But some behaviours are more common among adults with autism, and could suggest they’d benefit from formal support.

Some common signs of autism in adults include: 

• Trouble relating to others – some people with autism can struggle to understand how others feel and relate to their perspectives. They might find it difficult to see beyond their own way of thinking. This may result in them preferring to spend time alone rather than with friends.

• Relishing routines – it often helps people with autism to have a daily routine. Many autistic people like to plan carefully before doing things and a routine means they know what to expect from the situation. 

• Social cues – it can be difficult for some autistic people to read social cues, including sarcasm and satire, implied language and hints. Some might also find it difficult to maintain eye contact or be tactile.

• Intense interests – it’s not uncommon for autistic adults to hyperfocus on unique or niche hobbies and interests. This can include learning in-depth about a specific topic and retaining facts.

• Sensory stimulation – in some cases, adults with autism can experience heightened sensitivity to sights and sounds, tastes and smells and even textures. This can make it difficult to attend particularly noisy or busy events.

Some other potential signs of autism in adults include:

• Noticing small or intricate details others might not pick up on.
• Coming off as short or rude unintentionally.
• Taking things literally.
• Speaking in a monotone or without emotive inflections.
• Needing to rearrange things into a specific order.
• Learning and remembering new information easily.

Masking refers to someone changing their behaviour or personality traits to ‘fit in’ with others. The term is used in various contexts – including sometimes with autistic people.

Adults with ASD may be aware of some of their ‘differences’ and try to adapt their behaviour to appear more ‘normal’.

It can be difficult to tell when an adult is masking their autistic traits – as the very point is to hide the quirkier or more unusual parts of their personality.

But you may be able to spot some signs that an autistic person is masking. These might include:

• Sounding rehearsed or pre-planned – some autistic people struggle to understand social cues or relate naturally to what others say. So, they might rehearse certain phrases or conversation starters they can rely on when they’re unsure. You might be able to spot this when someone repeats the same phrase over and over or sounds unnatural when having conversations.

• Mirroring or copying – autistic adults trying to ‘fit in’ with others may start adopting some of their phrases or mannerisms or even outright copying what they do. This may be obvious if they’re repeating what’s just been said or start replicating expressions commonly used by those close to them.

• Appearing quieter or less ‘themselves’ – sometimes, masking simply presents as someone not talking as much or ‘dialling down’ their personality. If an autistic person suddenly seems like they’re holding back or avoiding their usual contributions, it may be a sign they’re trying to mask their autism.

Autistic adults are unique and don’t all present the same traits or act in the same way. 

And when you consider that many people can also mask signs of autism, it can be difficult to tell if someone is autistic.

Many people without autism share some behaviours with autistic people – like avoiding lingering eye contact or preferring to plan their days in detail.

However, if someone consistently demonstrates multiple traits, it could be a sign of autism. Especially if the traits persist even when they’re causing the individual distress. 

For example, someone who struggles with overly loud or busy places continues to visit them to ‘fit in’ with friends, despite finding them upsetting and overwhelming.

Another sign that someone might be autistic is when their traits appear to impact their quality of life. 

For example, someone might struggle with social cues, which leads to uncomfortable interactions or others misreading their interactions as rude. After a while, the person starts avoiding social situations, preferring to spend time in their own company.

This eventually leads to them feeling isolated and lonely, and becoming more anxious when they do find themselves at social events.

Ultimately, the only way to know for sure if someone is autistic – and to get professional support – is a clinical diagnosis.

If you or someone you know is struggling and think it may be because of autism, you may wish to seek a formal assessment. For many, this can be the first step towards accessing the support needed to start thriving.

Adult ASD assessments should be only completed by clinicians with the necessary experience and expertise. Typically, this will be a psychiatrist, psychologist or an advanced nurse practitioner.

You can access assessments through your GP. However, private assessments can often alleviate your concerns and answer your questions quicker than public waiting lists.

The Autism Service offers Adult Autism Assessments designed to identify autism in individuals.

Our diagnostic assessments are of the standard completed by the NHS that looks at whether autism explains your presentation.

Find a clinic

A clinical autism diagnosis can be the first step towards understanding your differences and needs and how to manage them. 

It can also help your family, friends and colleagues understand the difficulties you may face and support you to deal with them.

A recognised diagnosis can help you get the therapies, support and reasonable accommodations needed to help improve social and communication skills, thrive in work environments and more. It can also help with addressing other problems such as mental health issues.

A diagnosis alone won’t solve any problems you’re facing overnight. But it can be the first step towards accessing the knowledge and support needed to lead a happier and more fulfilling life.