8 Things I Wish People Understood About Autism Adult Symptoms
There are a lot of misconceptions about autism, and especially autism adult symptoms: what it is, where it comes from, what to do about it, and what it means to someone on the spectrum.
As an individual with autism, I’ve found that there is an overwhelming number of stigmas and misconceptions out there. I wish neurotypical people knew more about adult autism signs and symptoms, the facts and inaccuracies, so that there could be a greater awareness and acceptance.
I hope this blog can clear up at least a few things and start conversations. Developing a better understanding about autism adult symptoms and the diagnosis of autism help others to know what autism really is, how it can be both beneficial and frustrating, and most importantly how people should treat autistics.
As an individual diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when I was in middle school, I often feel misunderstood by neurotypical (non-autistic) people. A lot of incorrect assumptions are made about what autism is and what it means for someone to be autistic. I hope to clarify some key things I wish more neurotypical people understood about my diagnosis, especially as it applies to adult autism spectrum symptoms
Here are 8 things I wish more people understood about adult autism signs and symptoms.
Autism: The Facts and The Fiction
- It’s important to understand that autism is not an illness or disease. It’s a neurological difference that shapes a brain processes information and perceives the world.
- Autism is thought to be genetic and present from birth, even if not formally diagnosed until later in life. (Some people display autism adult symptoms that were overlooked when a child.) Brains of autistic individuals literally have different connectivity and structure compared to neurotypical brains. It is not caused by immunizations.
- Autism causes what professionals refer to as a different “cognitive style.” That is, for example, many autistics think in details first, rather than big picture concepts.
- We also tend to have enhanced perception in some sensory areas along with reduced perception in others. Things like hypersensitive hearing, heightened attention to minute visual details, or muted sense of smell are common.
- The way many autistics experience and regulate emotions can be different from societal norms. Special interests tend to be all-encompassing rather than casual hobbies. Autistic communication patterns often don’t adhere to unspoken social rules like conversational reciprocity, white lies, or generic platitudes.
- Autism does not present only in males. Females are also on the spectrum, but many experts think that they are better at masking their symptoms, which is why they may not be diagnoses when young. Knowing that there are also gender differences in how autism traits manifest helps understand autism adult symptoms.
- The very wiring of an autistic mind shapes a distinctly different, but equally valid way of experiencing and interacting with the world. Autistics wish you would see us as individuals first, unique and special, and not our neurological disorder.
- Autism is an integral part of my identity, not something separate from who I am. Please don’t refer to me as “suffering from autism.” I am not suffering because I’m autistic. That is actually quite offensive, to be honest.
Autism: The Facts About Us As Unique Individuals
Now that I’ve covered some basics about autism itself, it’s vital to understand that autism manifests differently in every individual. Autistics share certain core commonalities, but each person’s lived experiences are incredibly unique.
What you see portrayed in media depictions of autism may not apply to me or someone else on the spectrum at all. So, what I’m saying here, is don’t pathologize or stereotype autism. Autism adult symptoms also present very differently, and changes are you know someone with autism although you may be unaware of the diagnosis.
Some autistics, like myself, are considered “high-functioning,” meaning we have average or above average intellectual capacities. However, functioning labels are controversial in the autism community because they can lead to false assumptions about people’s abilities.
Other autistics with similar or even identical support needs to myself may not speak or require alternate communication methods. Please don’t presume someone’s skills or capacities based only on a diagnostic label.
There are also major differences in things like sensory sensitivities, mutism versus verbosity, presence of intellectual disabilities combined with autism, demonstration of restricted/repetitive behaviors, challenges with change and transitions, and so forth. Know that autism adult symptoms may present themselves (or not) differently than newly diagnosed children. That could be due to the difference in individuals, as well as adults have more experience and maturity to deal with many issues.
The aspects of autism that are most relevant for me personally are sensory sensitivities, struggling with unexpected change, and some challenges with typical social communication styles. Don’t make blanket assumptions about what I or any other autistic can or cannot do. Get to know me as an individual.
The Facts About Strengths and Challenges with Adult Autism Signs and Symptoms
When it comes to autism, the public conversation tends to fixate almost exclusively on challenges and deficits. In reality, many autistics have incredible strengths and talents that deserve just as much focus!
Some common strengths often seen with autism adult symptoms include:
- Attention to detail – we notice intricate, minute details that others miss
- Systemizing abilities – mentally organizing information into logical systems
- Honest and loyal personality traits
- Encyclopedic knowledge of beloved special interests
- Exceptional focus when highly interested and motivated
- Unique problem-solving approaches
- Seeing solutions no one else has thought of
- Ability to detect patterns quickly
- Comfort with strict routine
- Direct, straightforward communication style
Many of these natural strengths serve me very well in employment, academics, relationships, and other aspects of life.
I encourage you to recognize and appreciate the gifts autism offers in addition to the challenges it can present.
My areas of talent are invaluable to me and others. Please don’t diminish or ignore half my experience. Again, please see me for me and not for my diagnosis.
Making Accommodations for Autism Adult Symptoms
While having a spectrum disorder certainly poses some obstacles for me, especially autism adult symptoms that can present at times, the reality is many of these obstacles arise from a world not set up with autistic people in mind.
Simple accommodations can make a remarkable difference in supporting me to navigate a society predominantly designed for neurotypical individuals. Knowing autism the facts vs. the stigmas will go a long way with that.
Things that may seem insignificant to you can be a substantial help for me and other autistics. Some examples include:
- Allowing stim toys for regulating emotions
- Offering noise-cancelling headphones
- Letting me wear sunglasses indoors if needed
- Providing written instructions alongside verbal
- Adding captions or transcripts to audio/video media
- Using concrete, literal language instead of idioms/sarcasm
- Giving ample warning about changes in schedule
- Offering a quiet room for breaks when overwhelmed
- Understanding if I can’t make prolonged direct eye contact
Small adjustments such as these benefit all people by making environments more accessible, not only autistics. Enhancing sensory-friendly and neurodiversity-affirming options can radically improve my ability to manage situations I would otherwise struggle with. Accommodating neurological diversity makes the world more inclusive for everyone, and help us avoid the mentally draining need to mask who we are.
Listen to Our Voices: Understanding Adult Autism Spectrum Symptoms
I hope this post has provided meaningful insight into common autism experiences from my perspective as someone with autism adult symptoms. But it’s equally if not more important you make the effort to listen directly to a wide range of actually autistic people. We each have unique needs, preferences, communication styles and ways of thinking.
Don’t rely solely on often-inaccurate media stereotypes about autism or make assumptions what it must be like to be autistic. We are the experts when it comes to our own lived realities! No two people on the spectrum share identical profiles, just as no two neurotypical people do either.
If you sincerely want to understand autistic lives with more empathy and nuance, there is no substitute for speaking to us directly with openness to learn. My words here can only convey my own partial experiences.
I encourage you to seek out other autistic friends, family members, coworkers, bloggers, writers, creators, medical experts, and community activists to listen to many perspectives. When it comes to policies, programs, activism and structures impacting autistic individuals, the slogan “Nothing About Us Without Us” says it all. Our voices must be centrally included in key conversations.
RELATED: Autism on the Brain – Unpacking the Meaning Behind Neurodiversity
Building Bridges of Connection With Autism Adult Symptoms
With open and compassionate communication, I believe we can build bridges of greater connection and mutual understanding between the autistic community and non-autistic world.
But truly hearing the experiences, needs and desires of autistic people even when different from your own is the only way forward.
I’m happy to answer any questions you have for me personally about my life with autism from my point of view. Please don’t hesitate to ask directly rather than relying only on misconceptions.
And I encourage you to keep expanding your perspectives by seeking out other autistic voices and life stories different from mine.
Autism: The Facts About Overcoming Communication Barriers
One of the most prevalent challenges autistics face connecting with neurotypical people involves navigating different communication and social interaction styles. What may be an effective, functional way of communicating for you can feel confusing, overwhelming or even painful for me.
Many autistics experience some degree of being literal and concrete thinkers. This means figures of speech, sarcasm, vague language, or conversational nuance doesn’t come naturally to us. No matter how highly verbal or academically accomplished an autistic person is, these aspects of communication often remain challenging and are one of the autism adult symptoms.
For example, if you tell me, “It’s raining cats and dogs out there” I’m likely to become very confused trying to figure out what actual cats and dogs falling from the sky has to do with the weather. Or I may get extremely upset imagining scared animals falling from the sky only to land hurt.
When you greet me by saying “What’s up?” I’m liable to literally look up trying to figure out what you want me to see above us. If I then answer “the ceiling is up” out of literal-mindedness, I can come across as odd or unintelligent when that wasn’t my intent.
These kinds of exchanges happen more often than you might expect and serve as a major barrier to displaying my true skills and intellect to neurotypicals. It can be extremely frustrating and alienating to frequently be misconstrued when we autistics are in most cases communicating in perfectly valid ways – just different from typical styles.
On the other hand, what can help enormously is using concrete language whenever possible. For example, if it’s raining heavily outside, simply saying “It is raining very hard right now” paints a clear word picture for my literal brain without confusing imagery about falling animals!
And greeting me with “How are you doing today?” instead of the vague “What’s up?” immediately helps me understand you’re asking about my current well-being instead of something happening overhead.
Making such simple straightforward modifications removes huge obstacles to my ability to demonstrate competence. When autistic people struggle in professional, academic, or social settings, communication differences are most often the hidden culprit.
Conveying ideas or showing capabilities gets extremely hampered when neurotypical norms around language, conversation pacing, eye contact, nonverbal signals, humor and more don’t come naturally.
However, when neurotypical folks meet me halfway with flexibility and support for divergent communication needs, you allow my strengths, intellect and identity to shine through any diagnostic label! Our brains may be wired differently, but that difference need not be a barrier to meaningful connection. Accessible language benefits everyone, just like curb cuts designed for wheelchairs allow easier movement for people pushing strollers or moving heavy loads on carts.
Making room for neurodiversity to be expressed in its own forms of brilliance benefits all society with the creativity and innovation it unlocks. All it takes is being willing to bend traditions designed for the “average” brain to welcome others operating differently.
When we make the effort to deeply listen to one another with empathy and respect, we all benefit. Here’s to growing new possibilities for co-existence where all neurological wiring is welcomed!
Autism in Adults: Living, Learning, and Overcoming Challenges for a Fulfilled Life
If you liked this blog, I hope you’ll read more. 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 despite many challenges and adult autism signs and symptoms they face.
- Autism and Independence: 7 Skills That Empower Individuals to Thrive
- Dangers of Social Media Addiction: How To Leave the Screens And Face the Real World
- Autism Volunteer Opportunities: 5 Ways Helping Others Fosters Acceptance
- 8 Heartfelt Ways Autism Emotional Support Animals Transform Lives
- Autism in the Future: Optimism for Improved Perception and Embracement
- Autism and AI: 7 Discoveries About the Surprise Pairing and Profound Impact
- Are You An Adult With Autism? Here Are 6 Signs
- Autism After High School: Is College the Next Step?
- Autism vs Asperger’s Syndrome: What You Need to Know
- Autism Disclosure: Is Revealing Your Disorder Helpful or Hurtful
- Work and Autism: What Employers Should Know About Hiring People Like Me
- Drivers with Autism Can Achieve Success Behind the Wheel
