Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that is characterized by unique communication and behavioral differences. These differences come out in a wide variety of ways.
Most people with autism are diagnosed early in their lives. In the United States, the mean age of autism diagnosis is four to five years. Parents first start to notice differences in their child’s behavior and consult a physician who evaluates their child and makes a diagnosis. This is often the case with children who have an extreme form of autism and need plenty of support to cope.
On the other end of the autism spectrum are people who have autism that is not as extreme, and hence have low support needs. These people may even go all their lives not knowing they have autism until they are diagnosed as adults. They may just know that something is different about them but not know what exactly it is until they are diagnosed. These people are described as high-functioning. In between the two extremes are people with autism who need varying levels of support.
In adults, autism may present itself through difficulty communicating or repetitive behaviors. For the former, a person may have difficulty understanding body language and social cues, engaging in conversations with others, maintaining eye contact, or relating to others’ feelings or expressing their own. They may use flat, almost robotic patterns when speaking or invent their own descriptive words or phrases. They may have difficulty engaging in small talk, instead preferring to talk about one or two favorite topics. Because of these characteristics, adults with autism experience difficulty developing close friendships.
For repetitive behaviors, adults with autism usually do certain things repetitively that outsiders believe have no clear purpose. For example, they may flick fingers, spin coins, arrange items in lines, flap hands, or even repeat someone else’s speech. Further, adults with autism may have established routines that are almost like everyday rituals for them. If an unforeseen event disrupts these patterns or routines, they can become extremely upset or have an emotional outburst. As such, people with autism are often anxious in new, unstructured settings.
In addition, adults with autism are known to have a strong, almost obsessive interest in one or two topics. They focus on certain activities or areas of knowledge to the exclusion of others.
Finally, people with autism are extra sensitive to environmental stimuli. They may react in ways that someone may interpret as extreme to environmental stimuli such as noise, air pollution, or changes in temperature. They are drawn to certain textures, sights, sounds, smells, or tastes. The latter makes them very particular eaters.
Adults who have these symptoms should consult their physician. Since there is currently no diagnostic criteria for ASD for adults, the physician will first recommend certain tests for them to rule out other medical conditions that could be causing their behavior. If there are none, the physician will refer the patient to a psychologist or psychiatrist who will conduct an in-depth assessment of their behaviors from childhood.
The clinician may also speak with the patient’s parents to learn how they behaved as children. If the patient displayed signs of ASD from childhood, the clinician may give a positive diagnosis. If not, they may assess the person for possible affective or mental health disorders.
For adults with autism, there are several treatments available including behavioral therapy, social-relational training, psychological counseling, and medication. These do not cure autism, but rather help the person cope with the symptoms.
Support from family and social workers is integral in managing autism cases, ensuring the people affected get the medical and mental care they need. Social workers may even connect people with autism with local support groups or match them with vocational opportunities to help them find employment in fields that interest them.
