Adult Tests for Autism on the Increase: Why Knowing Is Important

Requesting adult tests for autism is becoming more common, as individuals who have grown up always thinking they are different begin to question why. As awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increases, individuals who have been undiagnosed begin to wonder why they have certain struggles or challenges their peers don’t seem to have.

There is an increase in adult tests for autism being given, as more individuals wonder why they feel different.Having an autism test in adults that leads to a diagnosis can be life changing because that is when they can begin to correctly put together the pieces of their lives that may have seemed scattered previously. People who receive an adult diagnosis of ASD understand there isn’t a cure, but they can find ways to help them to live their best lives while navigating their symptoms.

For many years, autism was thought to be a childhood condition that could be diagnosed by observing behavior and developmental milestones in young children. However, we now know differently. Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurological condition, and many adults live with autism without being diagnosed as children.

Experts estimate that around 1 in 45 adults may be on the autism spectrum. Many don’t have an adult diagnosis of ASD.

If you are an adult who struggles with social skills, communication, sensory issues, rigid routines, or intense special interests, you may be on the autism spectrum. Adult tests for autism are becoming more frequently requested, as knowing whether you have autism can help you better understand yourself, unlock access to support services and accommodations, connect with an understanding community, and finally feel validated in your experiences.

Choosing the Adult Autism Test Journey  

For adults who strongly identify with traits of autism spectrum disorder, pursuing an evaluation and potential diagnosis can be a lengthy but rewarding process. The first step is usually getting a referral from your primary care physician or therapist to a clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist or other healthcare professional who specializes in adult diagnosis of ASD.

Be prepared to hit some roadblocks in this diagnostic path, as many clinicians and assessment tools still focus on autism in children. You may encounter skepticism about the value of an adult autism test or ignorance about how autism manifests differently in adults versus kids.

Don’t get discouraged, keep advocating for an evaluation from a clinician experienced in adult autism assessments. 

READ MORE: Shedding Light on Autism and Why It’s an Invisible Disability

What is Involved in Autism Test in Adults?

The evaluation process for an autism diagnosis in adulthood is comprehensive and individualized. It typically includes:

Background Information

You will complete questionnaires about your developmental, medical, social and educational history from childhood to the present day. Close family members or friends may be asked to weigh in with their observations and perspectives on your behaviors and challenges growing up.

Clinical Interview

The evaluator will interview you directly, asking about topics like special interests, sensory sensitivities, social rapport, routines and repetitive behaviors, coping with change, and more. Be open and honest, don’t try to mask or camouflage autistic traits. The evaluator needs to see how you truly think and experience the world.

Observation

While interviewing you, the clinician will observe your body language, eye contact, speech patterns, reactions to sensory stimuli in the environment, and more to identify potential autism red flags.

Cognitive and Skills Testing

You will complete standardized assessments that measure IQ, language abilities, academic skills, reasoning abilities, and adaptive living skills like hygiene, finances, and household tasks. These adult autism test principles illuminate autistic thinking styles and strengths/weaknesses.

Rating Scales

Adult tests for autism can help a person to understand why they feel and act like they do, which leads to better understanding.You and those who know you well will complete questionnaires that allow the clinician to rate your level of autistic traits across different areas like social skills, restricted interests, sensory issues, and more.

After compiling all this data from multiple sources, the clinician will determine if your developmental history, current presentation, and assessment results meet the criteria for an adult diagnosis of ASD according to the latest medical guidelines and autism symptoms in adults checklist. They will identify where you fall on the spectrum, your specific strengths and challenges, and make recommendations for support and accommodations if needed.

For many adults who finally confirm they are autistic after a lifetime of feeling different, receiving this diagnosis can provide a profound sense of relief, validation, and self-acceptance. Getting the autism label can help end the alienation and self-doubt caused by years of masking autistic behaviors and traits.

So many adults feel their quirks and struggles finally make sense after their diagnosis.

Benefits of an Adult Tests for Autism and Possible Diagnosis

In addition to the personal empowerment and sense of identity that comes with an autism diagnosis, it can open up many practical benefits:

Access to Services and Support

An official adult diagnosis of ASD is often required to get accommodations in higher education and employment settings. It can allow access to autism support services, residential programs, therapy, social skills training, and other interventions. Government disability benefits may also be available with a diagnosis.

Understanding From Others Following an Autism Test in Adults

With a medical diagnosis following an extensive adult autism test, you have validation to disclose your autism to friends, family, coworkers, teachers or others and request the understanding and support you need. An official adult diagnosis of ASD can change how others perceive you and your behaviors. Some autistic adults are very open about being on the spectrum, while others prefer to keep it private.

Connection to the Autism Community

Many newly diagnosed autistic adults find a sense of belonging and community after their diagnosis. Connecting with other autistic people and families through support groups, online forums, meetup events and more can provide solidarity, advice, and end feelings of isolation.

Greater Self-Knowledge

Understanding you are autistic and learning about the diagnosis can provide a psychological framework to reframe previous confusion and negative experiences. With this self-awareness comes the ability to better play to your cognitive strengths, manage sensory needs, build more meaningful connections, and embrace your uniqueness.

If you spent years feeling inherently flawed, misunderstood and out of sync with others, an adult autism diagnosis can be wonderfully affirming and offer clarity about how your mind works. While the core challenges of autism remain, many autistic adults report feeling liberated and empowered after their diagnosis to finally understand and advocate for their needs.

Preparing for the Autism Evaluation Process

Once you have a referral and appointment scheduled with a clinician who specializes in adult autism assessments, you can start preparing for the evaluation process. Gather any documentation from your childhood that could provide insights into your early development and behaviors.

This may include:

  • Report cards
  • Disciplinary reports from school
  • Psychoeducational or psychological testing records
  • Notes from teachers about your learning style or social interactions
  • Medical records noting developmental milestones or concerns
  • Interviews with parents, siblings or others who knew you as a child

An adult diagnosis of ASD can help a person to live their best possible life by understanding symptoms.Having this type of background information can illuminate potential red flags or patterns of autistic traits that existed early in your life, even if you weren’t diagnosed at the time. The clinicians will want a full developmental history.

It can also be helpful to keep a journal for a few weeks or months before your assessment, recording specific examples when your autistic traits surface. Note situations that cause you anxiety, sensory overload, communication mishaps, instances of getting “stuck” in routines or special interests, and more. Providing clear, real-life examples can give clinicians more insight into your authentic experiences.

If you have close friends or family members who know you extremely well, consider asking one or two of them to participate in the evaluation process and help complete the autism symptoms in adults checklist as well. Their observations and perspectives on your behaviors and characteristics can provide an additional data point for the clinicians, especially if you have difficulties self-reporting your own traits and challenges.

During the actual adult autism test appointments, be open and honest when answering interview questions and self-rating scales. Try not to mask, camouflage or downplay autistic traits, even if you’ve spent years learning to “pass” as neurotypical. The clinicians need an accurate portrayal to make a proper diagnosis. Self-awareness about your autistic traits, even the ones you’ve worked hard to minimize, will be key.

What If You Don’t Meet Criteria of Adult Diagnosis of ASD?

For some adults who suspected they were autistic, the intensive evaluation process may reveal that they don’t quite meet the clinical criteria for an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis according to current medical guidelines and autism symptoms in adults checklist. This doesn’t necessarily mean their self-identity as autistic is invalid. Clinicians may determine if the individual has an autism phenotype or is “not neurotypical” even if they don’t qualify for the medical diagnosis.

In these cases, the clinician should provide feedback on which autistic traits the person exhibited and make recommendations for supportive therapies, workplace accommodations, or other assistive resources that could be beneficial based on the person’s specific needs and challenges. An inconclusive or non-diagnosable outcome doesn’t mean walking away empty-handed.

Many adults find value in the assessment process itself, gaining self-knowledge about their cognitive styles, strengths, communication patterns and more that can help them better understand themselves moving forward. The pursuit of an autism diagnosis acts as a catalyst for self-discovery, even if it doesn’t end with an affirmative medical label.

An Affirming Diagnosis Following Adult Tests for Autism

Remember that you are loved for being you, regardless of whether you take an adult autism test or not.For those who do receive a clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder after the extensive evaluation, it often comes as a validating and affirming outcome after a lifetime of feeling misunderstood or “other.” Getting an autism diagnosis can provide answers, context, and reassurance about long-held struggles and experiences that suddenly make more sense.

With the adult diagnosis of ASD comes the opportunity to embrace and celebrate autistic identity, while also accessing practical support and services tailored specifically to autistic needs. Many newly diagnosed adults describe feeling a tremendous weight lifted off their shoulders by finally having an explanation for why their minds work differently.

The autistic community widely celebrates and welcomes those who receive an autism diagnosis in adulthood. Connecting with other late-diagnosed autistic folks creates an understanding that can be life-changing going forward.

RELATED: Spotlight on the Spectrum – Understanding 3 Levels of Autism

Making the Choice to Pursue Evaluation and Adult Tests for Autism

There is no definitive autism symptoms in adults checklist or screening tool to determine if you should be evaluated for autism as an adult. But if you strongly relate to key traits of autism spectrum disorder – difficulties with social skills, communication challenges, sensory sensitivities, rigid adherence to routines, highly focused special interests, and more – it may be worth exploring an evaluation.

Some adults first consider adult tests for autism after their own child receives an autism diagnosis and they recognize similar traits in themselves. Others are encouraged to pursue evaluation by a therapist or partner who notices autistic characteristics. For many, hitting a cyclical pattern of losing jobs, struggling to make friends, or general life challenges finally prompts them to seek answers.

The decision to embark on this diagnostic quest is a highly personal choice with no right or wrong path. Some autistic adults choose not to pursue a formal diagnosis, while others feel it’s crucial validation. Weigh the personal pros and cons for your own situation and boundaries.

If you do decide to move forward with an autism evaluation, be prepared for it to take time, determination and strong self-advocacy skills to get assessed by qualified clinicians, especially as an adult. But for many, getting an autism diagnosis provides clarity about lifelong experiences and struggles, self-acceptance, emotional relief, and opens opportunities to better meet their needs.

If you suspect autism may explain your lived experiences, don’t wait to seek evaluation and support. The sooner you get answers from adult tests for autism, the sooner you can get connected to understanding, accommodations, and assistance to live fully as your authentic self.

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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