Key Signs of Autism in Adults and How to Prepare for Autism Assessments

Autism is a lifelong condition. It affects how a person communicates and interacts with others. Often, people think of autism as a childhood diagnosis. However, it’s prevalent in many adults as well and goes undiagnosed.

Some adults never suspect they might be autistic, whereas others may be misdiagnosed with anxiety or ADHD. That said, there’s a clear difference between these diagnoses that needs to be understood.

If you have similar suspicions for yourself or any of your loved ones, a thorough autism assessment can bring clarity. It can validate your past experiences while also opening doors to new support and resources. For high-quality assessments in the UK, we recommend checking out Connect to Autism assessments.

In this article, we’ll explain the key signs of autism in adults and how you can prepare for autism assessments. This will help you take a step towards self-awareness and building a better support system.

3 Key Signs of Autism in Adults

When someone is on the spectrum, basic interactions with people around them can feel like a chore. Here are three key signs you can look for in adults to find out if they’re autistic:

1. Social Communication Challenges

Social interactions, like small talk and group settings, can feel complicated. You might find them pointless and exhausting to sit through.

Misunderstandings also happen often. You might take things quite literally. Sarcasm, jokes, and implied meanings—all of it can get lost in translation. This can make social situations tense and lead to unintentional conflicts.

2. Repetitive Behaviours & Routines

Oftentimes, routines are more than habits. They provide structure. A break in the routine can cause you stress or anxiety. When indulging in basic tasks, like eating or working, you may need to follow a certain order. It helps you feel in control.

Repetitive behaviours are common too. These might be actions like tapping, pacing, or repeating certain words or phrases. They aren’t simply quirks; in fact, they help bring you comfort.

3. Tunnel Vision on Interests or Hobbies

You might get caught up in certain hobbies or interests. These interests often take up a lot of your time (more than they should). Once you start, it can be hard to stop. The focus is intense. Hours can pass, and you don’t even notice.

You dive deep into a subject and learn everything you can about it. At times, other things, like socialising or even simple chores, may feel less important. Your interests provide a sense of comfort that other tasks simply don’t. While this focus can be fulfilling, it may also make balancing other parts of life challenging.

Why Seek an Autism Assessment?

Seeking an autism assessment can help bring clarity to the lives of you or your loved ones. It can provide answers to questions you may have wondered about for years. Why do certain situations feel difficult? Why is a particular hobby more interesting to you than anything else?

An assessment isn’t about labelling. It’s about understanding oneself better. Gaining insight into why certain things feel challenging can open doors. It can lead to resources to help the autistic individual and reveal new strategies to cope.

Some might hesitate to seek an assessment, which is perfectly normal. However, it can create a sense of relief and create a clearer picture of oneself. We highly recommend opting for an autism assessment if you or someone you know relates to the signs listed above.

Preparing for an Autism Assessment

Autism assessments are typically more than one appointment. They involve multiple steps, interviews, questionnaires, and discussions. The assessor might ask about childhood behaviour and current struggles to form a clear diagnosis.

Below are three things a neurodivergent person can do to prepare for an autism assessment:

1. Gather Personal History

Think back. How was your childhood? Were there early signs? Did teachers or parents notice anything unusual? Did certain situations feel overwhelming? Write it down and include examples of these instances. Your family members can help too, by remembering things that you might overlook.

2. Identify Key Challenges

What’s tough for you right now: Is it socialising? Managing emotions? Understanding social cues? Again, make a list and include concrete examples. These details help the assessor understand your situation better and provide a more accurate diagnosis.

3. Prepare Emotionally

Assessments can feel intense. Talking about past struggles can be raw and uncomfortable. Talking to a trusted friend beforehand and practising self-care are important to prepare yourself before an autism assessment. The outcome might be different than expected, and that’s okay too. The key is to remain open-minded and work through these things.

To Sum Up

Recognising signs of autism in adulthood can feel like a revelation. It can explain so much, such as: Why social situations feel off, why routines feel like a lifeline, and why you fall into repetitive patterns.

Seeking an autism assessment isn’t about labels. Instead, it’s about gaining insight into oneself and finding a way to cope better. The process can feel daunting. It can stir up old feelings and frustration.

That said, autism assessments can also bring relief and validation. It’s important to recognise the signs of autism early on and take an assessment if needed. The more prepared you are, the more accurate the assessment can be.