Top 10 Signs of Autism in Adults

The main signs of autism in adults are differences in communication and social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Some adults may also have sensory differences or mask their traits to fit in. These signs can be hard to notice, but recognizing them is important for getting support and a proper diagnosis.

The autism spectrum has long been researched, discussed and reported in the context of kids, so many autistic adults have gone through childhood without an official diagnosis, only to realize later that their traits or characteristics match the signs and symptoms of autism. 

If you suspect you’re autistic, or you love, know or work with someone who you think might be autistic, the autism symptoms below can help you better understand the common traits associated with autism on the autism spectrum.

Key Takeaways

• The main signs of autism in adults and how they affect daily life
• How men and women may show autism differently
• What high-functioning autism looks like in adults
• How autism in adults is diagnosed by professionals
• Practical strategies and support options for adults living with autism

Signs of Autism in Adults

The principal signs and symptoms of autism show up across many areas of life, such as differences in social communication and interaction, sensory processing differences, and restricted and repetitive behaviors. 

The symptoms below are general traits of autism in adults. It is unlikely that someone will show all of these signs and symptoms, and only a qualified health professional can carry out an evaluation for autism.  

1. Social Difficulties

Many adults start to wonder whether they are autistic or not due to social communication differences. Autism is a lifelong developmental difference, meaning people are born autistic, but it might not be identified until later in life.

An adult with autism may discover they find it hard to interpret social cues like tone of voice, body language and facial expressions, often feel misunderstood, or feel uncomfortable in social situations or uninterested in some interactions.

2. Sensory Sensitivities

Sensory differences can mean being highly aware of sensory input (such as light or noise) or barely noticing it. 

Trouble filtering out irrelevant sensory information or background noise can make settings like crowded spaces or busy workplaces particularly overwhelming. For instance, you might avoid certain fabrics because of their textures, wear sunglasses to block out bright lights, or feel overwhelmed by intense tastes or smells.

3. Difficulties with Executive Functioning

Many adults on the autism spectrum experience executive functioning difficulties, which can affect daily life and work through challenges with organization, planning and time management. Whether at home or in the office, it can be difficult for autistic adults to finish assignments at school or tasks at work, prioritize self-care, keep the house clean, or manage daily tasks like eating a balanced diet or even showering. 

4. Obsessive Interests

A deep passion and interest in one subject or activity might also develop. An autistic brain can become particularly passionate about one area of interest, often as a way to self-soothe, which could mean knowing a great deal about a certain hobby or focusing on a specific field of work.  

Although we all have strong interests, autistic adults often discover ways to associate everything with their own interest, which might look like always talking about their favorite movie, even when the conversation is about something else. 

An individual might spend many hours engaging in artistic or coding projects, losing track of other activities and forgetting to sleep or eat. They might also become so invested in an activity or hobby, like puzzle solving or block building, that they neglect social activities or miss important deadlines.

5. Camouflaging

Adults with autism often feel strong pressure to fit in with their non-autistic peers and might spend a lot of time and effort camouflaging or masking their traits in order to appear “normal.” 

Masking takes a lot of energy and can leave people exhausted. While non-autistic people of all genders also adjust how they come across, autistic people, especially autistic women, seem to mask to a much greater extent. 

6. Social Fatigue

For adults with autism, social interactions might be exhausting even if they seem to manage well on the outside, and they often need a lot of time and energy to recover. 

Scenarios may include requiring a quiet space to retreat to after a social event or a long day at work, and avoiding social events because the energy or effort required to take part feels exhausting or overwhelming. 

7. Difficulties with Maintaining Eye Contact

Autistic men and women often force themselves to maintain eye contact during conversations because they know others expect it, even when it feels unnatural to them. 

Someone with autism may be able to make eye contact because they have learned to, but if it regularly feels overwhelming or unnatural, it could be a sign of autism. 

8. Emotional Regulation Difficulties

Autistic people may find it harder to regulate emotions, especially when already overloaded, which can lead to strong reactions to what look like minor triggers, for example finding it hard to calm down after a frustrating event, or sudden frustration and anger when plans change or emotions become overwhelming.

9. Stimming 

Self-stimulating behavior (stimming), such as rocking, spinning, hand flapping, or repeating words and phrases, is very common. 

However, adults on the spectrum may show other stimming actions, including hair twirling, foot rubbing and skin picking. 

Stimming is thought to help with self-regulation. Adults with autism tend to engage in stimming more than neurotypical people and may not always be aware they are doing it. 

10. A Strong Desire For Predictability and Routine

The world we live in is unpredictable and uncertain, so many people on the spectrum turn to routine as a self-soothing method. 

When this routine is changed, they may feel strong emotions, including anxiety or irritability.

It’s worth noting that autism shows up differently in different people. These general signs and symptoms often point to autism, but there can be differences in the symptoms of autism across genders.  

What are the 3 Main Symptoms of Autism in Adults?

The 3 main symptoms of autism in adults are differences in communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors.

Some adults with autism may demonstrate signs and symptoms that resemble those of ADHD and other co-occurring conditions, whereas others might use little or no spoken language. As understanding of autism grows, more adults are being diagnosed, and the right support can make a real difference to everyday life, whatever someone’s support needs.

What are the Signs of Autism in Adult Men?

The signs of autism in adult men often look similar to other groups but may appear in unique ways. These signs include, but are not limited to:

1. Differences in Nonverbal Communication

Adult men with autism often communicate nonverbally in different ways from neurotypical men, so there can be a mismatch of social communication styles, and misunderstanding runs both ways between autistic and neurotypical people (the double empathy problem). Examples include not picking up on unspoken social cues, not smiling in situations where other people do, or not noticing when others are uncomfortable or bored during conversations. 

2. Differences in Social Exchanges

Adult males on the autism spectrum may not follow unwritten social rules in the expected way, for example finding eye contact hard, not starting interactions, reading others’ emotions differently, or talking at length about a topic they love. 

3. Differences in Forming and Maintaining Relationships 

Adult males with autism often have trouble forming and sustaining relationships because of communication differences and challenges in understanding social cues, so they may find it hard to start relationships or to share interests with others.

4. Repetitive and Restrictive Behaviors or Interests 

Adult men with autism often show repetitive or restrictive behaviors or intense interests in a particular activity or hobby, for example a deep focus on a favorite TV show or video game, or spending a lot of time talking about certain things to the exclusion of others.  

5. Repetitive Speech or Motor Movements 

Adult males with autism may also engage in repetitive movements like stimming, repeating words or phrases they hear (echolalia), lining up objects, or moving in their own distinctive ways. 

6. Insistence on Sameness

A strong need for predictability and depending on sameness or routine is not uncommon among male adults with autism for example, doing the same things over and over again, feeling uncomfortable visiting new places, or experiencing anxiety when routines are disrupted.

7. Sensory Differences

A person can be over-sensitive and/or under-sensitive to sounds, sights, tastes, smells, or touch, and show sensory seeking and/or sensory avoidant behaviors such as hand flapping, finger tapping or chewing nails.

What are the Signs of Autism in Adult Women?

Undiagnosed autism in adult women can cause challenges for years or even decades without them knowing why. Many women try to hide or “mask” their autism traits to fit in with what they see as “normal.” However, their high-functioning autism traits remain and continue to create difficulties in daily life.

Signs of autism in adult women are often characterized by the following symptoms:

1. Social Difficulties

Autistic women might appear to have fewer social difficulties than men because of autism masking, but may still find it hard to interpret and respond to unspoken cues, avoid eye contact or force themselves to maintain eye contact even if they find it difficult or uncomfortable. 

2. Heightened Sensitivity 

Autistic women may also have strong sensitivity to sound, light, smell or touch, and trouble sleeping due to sensory differences, like a spouse’s breathing or finding the touch of sheets and blankets difficult to tolerate.  

3. Difficulty with Executive Functioning and Emotional Regulation

Executive function difficulties and emotional sensitivity are often heightened in adult women with autism, including finding it hard to stay organized, complete tasks or manage emotions.

4. Intense Interests and Focusing on Fine Details

Autistic women may also have a wider range of interests than males with autism, who often focus on one topic or subject, and may notice fine details that others miss.

5. Repetitive Behaviors

Repetitive behavior patterns in autistic women may present as typical autistic traits such as self-stimulating behavior or stimming to self-regulate or self-soothe; the behaviors may include hand flapping, rocking, and repeating words and phrases. Some repetitive behaviors, such as skin picking, hair twisting or pacing, often become more subtle and less noticeable to others in adulthood.

📌 MUST READ:
Signs of autism in teens
Signs of autism in girls

Symptoms of high-functioning autism in adults

Adults with high-functioning autism often have strong language and thinking skills but may struggle with social interactions, sensory sensitivities, intense interests, and a preference for predictable routines.

Adult males and females with high-functioning autism usually have average or above-average intelligence and good language skills, but they can still find social communication and interaction hard, and have repetitive habits that affect everyday life. 

Symptoms of high-functioning autism in adults:

• 1. Strong Communication Skills: Good vocabulary and articulation, yet social interactions may be tricky.
• 2. Focused Interests: Deeply involved in hobbies or topics, sometimes ignoring other tasks.
• 3. Need for Routine: Prefer predictability and may struggle with sudden changes.
• 4. Sensory Sensitivities: Over- or under-react to sounds, lights, or textures.
• 5. Social Challenges: Difficulty reading social cues, forming friendships, and meeting social expectations.

How Is Autism in Adults Diagnosed?

Wondering if you or a loved one might be autistic? Take a comprehensive autism test to explore key traits and discover your next steps.

While autism should be present in early childhood for an individual to receive a diagnosis, that doesn’t mean one has to seek a diagnosis as a child. Instead, a health professional will look at signs from childhood and rule out other explanations, particularly if the signs weren’t noticed at the time. Undiagnosed autism in adults is common, especially in women and people who learned to mask early, so it is never too late to seek an assessment. 

A medical professional may consider childhood experiences, interview other people who knew the individual as a child, and consider both past and current symptoms.

Professionals conduct the diagnosis depending on symptoms, so it’s critical for them to receive accurate information about all the signs and symptoms an individual displays or displayed. 

Strategies for Supporting Adults With autism

Wondering if you or a loved one might be autistic? Take our autism test for adults to explore key traits and discover your next steps.

Support for autistic adults includes environmental accommodations and therapy services that help increase independence and quality of life. What helps varies with how much support someone needs and what they want to change or keep.

For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults with autism manage anxiety and better understand how they experience and navigate the world differently from non-autistic people. 

Home and workplace support may include providing assistive tools and devices, offering psychoeducation, creating sensory-friendly living spaces, and coaching to help people meet their own life goals.

👉 Take the comprehensive autism test for adults today and get closer to understanding yourself or your loved one.

FAQ

Conclusion 

If you suspect you or someone you love or stay with is autistic, you can get a formal diagnosis from people who specialize in helping autistic adults, such as psychologists or psychiatrists. A diagnosis can open access to support programs and therapy, and help you get the resources you need to thrive at home or in the workplace. 

You may also want to consult with a mental health professional, especially if you or your loved one has co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions.

Stephanie Collins

Special Educator of over 15 years. Autism specialist, Sign Language interpreter, and Autism Mommy. Currently working on my Master’s in ABA and love learning more about sensory needs, and assisting families on their journey through Autism. In my free time you will find me outside, and traveling the world. My bucket list and travels will always consist of hiking and National Parks!