What Does Autism Look Like in High-Functioning Adults?

Autism spectrum disorder or ASD can occur in people of all ages, ethnicities, races, and socio-economic groups. Though the severe form of ASD is diagnosed in the first two years of a kid's life, high functioning persons might not be diagnosed with it until they are adults. Here's an overview of what autism looks like in high-functioning adults.


What is Autism and Its Symptoms in Adults?

Autism Is usually characterized by repetitive behaviors, social interaction issues, and communication (verbal and non-verbal) difficulties. However, some autistic adults might also show symptoms like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while some may have symptoms like impaired spoken language. In essence, ASD can appear differently in different individuals. So, it's better to recognize the signs in oneself or another adult. Here are a few of them.

Common Symptoms of ASD in Adults



·       Difficulty interpreting what other people might think and feel, social cues, facial expressions, and body language.

·       Problems in controlling emotions or keeping up with a conversation.

·       Inflection that doesn't reflect feelings.

·       Trouble in maintaining simple give and take kind of conversations.

·       Engaging in repetitive behaviors.

·       Participating in only a few activities.

·       Bursting out when daily routines are changed.

·       Exhibiting special interests strongly.

Autism Symptoms That Often Show Up at Home

·       A person wanted a best friend but never found any.

·       A person invents own words and unique expressions to define things.

·       A person makes noises accidentally (like clearing one's throat) when at a quiet place like a library.

·       A person follows the same schedule daily and hates any changes to it.

·       A person is unable to understand basic expressions like curiosity killed the cat.

·       A person constantly bumps into things or trips over their feet.

·       A person prefers individual games or sports over team sports and activities in their free time.

Symptoms of Autism at Work



·       A person speaking to the boss talks to their toes, wall, etc. but never looks them in the eye.

·       A person's co-workers say that the person speaks like a robot.

·       Each item on a person's desk is precisely as it is. They don't like it when something is moved.

·       A person might be good at math or software coding but might struggle to succeed in other areas.

·       A person talks to co-workers in the same way that they talk to their family members.

·       A person makes noises like clearing their throat during meetings or important discussions involuntarily.

·       A person can't detect if a colleague or boss might be mad at them or happy with their performance.

·       A person might have extraordinary talents in math, music, art, or other visual skills.

If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, it's time to get help! First, you can check out this link to be sure of the symptoms. Then, when autism is confirmed, you can use this link to know more about what to do next and consult with a medical professional as well.

Source:

https://www.additudemag.com/autism-spectrum-disorder-in-adults/

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