Masked Symptoms of Autism in Adults You Need to Recognize!

Could you be an adult who has autism and does not even know it?  The answer is definitely yes.  There are many symptoms of autism in adults, and while you may have many of them, it doesn’t mean you actually have the disorder.

But often, when people suspect they are “different” than others, there could be a plausible explanation. And one that at least merits exploring, is whether you may have undiagnosed autism.

Symptoms of autism in adults can often get overlooked.Autism impacts how people communicate, interact, behave, and learn. Autism is considered a “spectrum” disorder because it affects each individual differently and with varying degrees of support needs.

While autism is typically diagnosed in early childhood, some autistic individuals do not get formally diagnosed until adulthood.  That’s because symptoms of autism in adults may be harder to detect, leading many to have the disorder and not know it.

As for me, I went through my entire early childhood with having some differences, although autism really wasn’t considered. Things that were mentioned to my parents were apraxia, undefined special needs, and even explanations that my 23-month older sister enabled me to less verbal because she wanted to always do things for me and speak for me instead. None of these really proved to be true.

I actually didn’t receive a diagnosis of autism (it was actually Asperger’s syndrome in my case, which is no longer a separate diagnosis). For many, various symptoms of autism in adults means that you could actually be on the spectrum as well and not know it.

Symptoms of Autism in Adults:  Reasons for Undiagnosed Autism

There can be many reasons for undiagnosed autism. If you are reading this, then perhaps you are interested in whether you personally or perhaps a friend or loved one could be on the spectrum.  

Maybe you even feel you match some of the symptoms of autism in adults, but have been reluctant to discussing it with anyone. Most likely, many of you are masking the symptoms to avoid detection.

Do any of these feelings sound like you?

  • Maybe you never wanted to go through the hassle of getting tested.
  • You might feel ashamed if you are found to have autism, so prefer to believe you don’t have the disorder.
  • You haven’t even heard of autism, or perhaps you have and think it means there is “something wrong with you” if you are found to be on the spectrum.
  • You are afraid you could feel pathologized or labeled in a negative way.

Regardless of the reasons, my personal opinion as an adult living with autism myself is that you shouldn’t be afraid of a diagnosis (or finding you don’t have the disorder), because it can help you understand yourself better and to live a better life.

If you are an adult who believes you could have a neurological disorder because you exhibit some of the following symptoms of autism in adults, I encourage you to see a professional.

Perhaps, maybe they will say you don’t have autism or maybe you will get an official diagnosis. However, you’ll never know until you go.

Common Telltale Symptoms of Autism in Adults:  What You Should Know

While adult autism often presents differently than the stereotypical behaviors seen in children, adults may learn to mask/code switch their challenges and go undiagnosed for years.

According to experts, females are generally more effective at masking their symptoms than males, which is one reason why more males were thought to have the disorder.

But a diagnosis of being on the spectrum can help autistic adults understand themselves better, get access to support services, and find their own community.

This blog explores common signs of autism that adults on the spectrum may exhibit. And, remember the adage I continuously promote:  If you know one person on with autism, well, then you know ONE person on the spectrum.  Everyone presents differently, and that is why it is a “spectrum” disorder. Don’t let autism define you.  You define yourself!

5 Common Symptoms of Autism in Adults

  1. Social Communication Differences
    Social communication and interaction present some of the most common challenges for autistic individuals. Autistic adults often have nuanced social difficulties that can be easy to miss or mask in adulthood.

    Many adults with autism have trouble initiating or maintaining back-and-forth conversations. They may prefer to talk about their own interests rather than engage in small talk.

    Adults on the spectrum also tend to take things literally, missing sarcasm or subtle humor.

    Understanding abstract concepts, double meanings, and reading between the lines does not come naturally. Autistic adults may avoid making eye contact, not from disrespect, but due to finding it uncomfortable or distracting.

    Adults with autism also struggle to infer others’ thoughts, emotions, and perspectives. They may have trouble putting themselves in someone else’s shoes to intuit unspoken rules of social engagement. This makes social settings exhausting to navigate.

    As a result, autistic adults often prefer being alone and can become overwhelmed by group dynamics. Many autistics report frequently being told they are “too intense” in conversations.

    Difficulty “reading the room” also contributes to adults on the spectrum misinterpreting facial expressions, body language, and unwritten social cues.

    For example, an autistic person may share overly personal details without realizing it breaks social norms. Or they may fail to respond to another’s attempt at humor. These social gaps often lead to misunderstandings and isolation in relationships.

    Learn more about autism and being overly friendly (or even overbearing). 

  2. Repetitive Behaviors
    Another key sign of autism spectrum disorder involves repetitive patterns of behavior, activities, or interests.

    Stimming can actually help with good vibes for adults on the spectrum.Noticeable in childhood, these behaviors persist into adulthood for many autistic individuals.

    Autistic adults frequently rely on strict routines and schedules to feel in control. Sudden changes provoke intense anxiety and distress.

    For example, adults on the spectrum may often order food from the same restaurant or take the same driving route daily to manage unpredictability. They may compulsively line up objects symmetrically or arrange their environment just so.

    These rituals provide comfort amid the uncertainty of life.

    Additionally, neurodiverse adults commonly have special interests they pursue passionately. They may intently research a topic for months, memorizing obscure facts and minutiae neurotypical people overlook.

    Such intense focus leads to encyclopedic knowledge of niche subjects like cartography, train schedules, or prehistoric animals. But the all-consuming nature of these interests leaves little room for varied activities.

    Autistic individuals also exhibit repetitive motor mannerisms like flapping, rocking, pacing, finger tapping, or repeating noises or words.

    Known as “stimming,” these behaviors provide sensory input and self-soothing. Autistic adults may subtly flap or bounce a leg rather than more pronounced stimming behaviors seen in children. But the stimming persists as a calming coping mechanism.

    Learn more about proven stress busters for conquering autism and stress. 

  3. Sensory Processing Differences
    Around 90 percent of autistic individuals, both children and adults, experience atypical sensory processing, according to some studies. Everyday sensory information that neurotypical brains filter out easily overwhelms an autistic brain.

    Sensory overload frequently provokes meltdowns or shutdowns in autistic adults. Being surrounded by bright lights, crowds, loud noises, cluttered environments, or strong odors can cause cognitive and emotional overload.

    Grocery shopping on a busy Saturday or attending a concert becomes extremely taxing. To cope, adults on the spectrum often wear noise-canceling headphones or sunglasses and avoid overstimulating places.

    Sensitivities to clothing can also have an impact on autistics. Many fabrics or styles that work on others cause tactile issues, anxiety, chafing, and discomfort. Luckily, there are more styles and fabrics to choose from than ever before! 

    On the flip side, autistic adults may also crave sensory input. You may observe individuals on the spectrum seeking out deep pressure, textures, vibration, or movement.

    For example, an autistic person may love hiking through the woods, bite into crunchy foods like carrots, or frequently stomp their feet. Interest in these sensations provides neurological stimulation.

    Because of challenges processing everyday sensory information, autistic individuals thrive in environments offering predictability, quiet, low lighting, and minimal clutter.

    However, the broader world rarely accommodates these needs. The ongoing strain of sensory overload takes an immense toll on mental and physical health.

    Here are 10 proven techniques for managing autism and sensory issues.

  1. Communication Challenges
    Autistic adults often have distinctive communication patterns. While autistic individuals may not have impairment in language or vocabulary, conversational differences set them apart.  Also, some individuals with autism are nonverbal, creating unique challenges.

    Some characteristics of communication in neurodiverse people include:

  • Pedantic or formal speech patterns despite the social setting
  • Monotone vocal pitch and volume that does not vary with context or emotion
  • Flat affect autism and lack of emotional expression
  • Odd rhythms, speaking very fast or slowly
  • Oversharing highly personal information
  • Discomfort using or answering the phone
  • Taking things very literally, missing sarcasm or humor
  • Struggling to synthesize big picture ideas or infer context from limited information
  • Expressive language delays, long pauses before responding
  • Avoiding small talk but eagerly speaking at length about special interests

    These quirks reflect neurocognitive differences in social awareness, perspective-taking, and processing speed. Autistic individuals have valuable insights but communicate them differently than neurotypical social norms expect. Learning conversational accommodations can improve understanding.

    Learn more about how to break down communications barriers that challenge friendships when you have autism.

  1. Meltdowns
    Autistic adults remain vulnerable to emotional dysregulation and meltdowns when overwhelmed.

    However, autistic adults often internalize meltdowns or have quiet shutdowns rather than outward displays of distress.

    Meltdowns occur when an autistic person becomes too overwhelmed by sensory input, social demands, or change. Once reaching this tipping point, the nervous system enters fight-or-flight mode.

    All capacity for executive functioning and self-regulation fails. The individual with autism becomes completely overcome with emotion.

    Internalized meltdowns may include trembling, pacing, hiding, rocking, or lashing out at property. Shutdowns present as going nonverbal, losing awareness of surroundings, or appearing catatonic until the nervous system calms. 

    The aftermath of meltdowns leaves autistic adults exhausted.

    Learning coping strategies to recognize and respond to emotional overwhelm before reaching meltdown can improve quality of life. But meltdowns cannot always be prevented due to the neurobiological nature of autism. Patience, empathy and accommodation for meltdowns are essential.

    Learn more about alexithymia symptoms and emotional blindness.

Symptoms of Autism in Adults:  Seeking an Autism Diagnosis

Without the language or self-awareness to articulate their differences, many autistic adults only realize they may be on the spectrum when they have a child diagnosed with autism. There are many unexpected signs of autism in adults that could surprise you.

However, recognizing one’s lifelong challenges through an autism diagnosis can be transformative at any age.

Here are some key reasons an adult may consider pursuing an autism evaluation:

  • Better understanding a lifetime of feeling socially isolated, different or like an outsider
  • Seeking workplace accommodations and supports
  • Identifying appropriate therapies and services
  • Finding community with other autistic people
  • Exploring identity and self-acceptance as an autistic person
  • Gaining self-advocacy skills
  • Obtaining access to government services with an autism diagnosis
  • Lifting stigma about previous difficulties like struggling academically or maintaining employment

Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in adults can be more challenging than diagnosing children. Clinicians rely heavily on self-reported history, as parents may be unavailable or sometimes unwilling to describe early development.

Facial recognition technology is also showing promise for improving autism diagnosis.

The diagnostic process involves detailed interviews about developmental history and current challenges as well as assessments of areas like cognitive ability, adaptive skills, sensory reactivity and more.

Diagnosis provides validation and opens doors to support that can dramatically improve quality of life.

Navigating the world with autism spectrum disorder poses many challenges. But millions of autistic adults live rich, meaningful lives. Understanding autism empower autistic individuals to advocate for their needs, identify tools and accommodations that help them thrive, and connect with community.

Symptoms of Autism in Adults:  Living with Autism

Navigating the world with autism spectrum disorder poses many challenges. But millions of autistic adults live rich, meaningful lives.

Understanding autism empower neurodiverse individuals to advocate for their needs, identify tools and accommodations that help them thrive, and connect with their community.

While autism is a lifelong condition, various therapies and supports can improve quality of life for autistic adults.

Some strategies for analyzing autism in adults could include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to develop social skills and coping mechanisms for anxiety or emotional dysregulation. CBT helps autistic adults articulate their needs, practice conversational skills, and manage sensory issues or changes.
  • Occupational Therapy to enhance function in daily activities like dressing, cooking, managing a household, professional skills, and more. OTs help adapt tasks and environments to autistic sensory needs and communication styles.
  • Speech Therapy to improve communication skills, conversational reciprocity and flexibility, volume modulation, and reading social cues.
  • Social Skills Groups where autistic adults can learn and practice nuanced aspects of conversation, relationship development, and reading body language or facial expressions. Feedback is given on how to improve social delivery.
  • Assistive Technology like augmented communication devices, noise-cancelling headphones, weighted blankets, or tools to support organization and planning. Tech aids help autistic adults manage life skills more independently.
  • Psychoeducation for autistic adults and their families, partners, employers or colleagues. Learning about autism helps neurotypical people better understand and empathize with an autistic loved one’s experiences.
  • Support Groups and Autistic Community for connecting with others on the spectrum. This provides friendship, identity formation, mentorship and belonging.
  • Advocacy Groups that lobby for disability rights and services, inclusion efforts in schools and workplaces, and acceptance of neurodiversity. They empower autistic self-advocacy.

Autism diagnosis opens doors to individualized supports. But access barriers like cost, insurance coverage limits, transportation, and availability of qualified providers remain.

Expanding affordable ASD supports across the lifespan is crucial for unlocking autistic people’s potential.

While autism comes with struggles, it also intertwines beautifully with identity for many autistic self-advocates. They choose to celebrate autism as an integral part of who they are, not something to cure or eliminate. With the right supports, autistic adults can achieve their full potential and make diverse contributions to society.

Greater awareness and acceptance of autistic differences continue to foster empowerment.

I am ones of those autistic self-advocates. I’ll hope you’ll join me in helping people to better understand ASD, and to know that regardless of what age you are diagnosed or what symptoms you present, you are beautiful and worthy of living your very best life.

Autism in Adults:  Living, Learning, and Overcoming Challenges for a Fulfilled Life

Autism in adults requires additional support and coping skills to achieve independence in today’s world. Learn more about ways adults can live fulfilled lives and the challenges they face. 

Picture of Connor McClure

Connor McClure

I'm a young adult navigating life with autism. By sharing my experiences and views, I hope to create a better awareness, understanding, and compassion for those on the spectrum. Let's connect!
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