Signs of autism in adults

Some tips from The National Autistic Society (NAS) on the signs of autism in adults and why having a diagnosis in helpful.

Social Communication

Adults who have autism often have difficulty understanding verbal and non-verbal language, this can include gestures, facial expressions and tone of voice. They also have difficulty understanding jokes and sarcasm. Some adults with autism may not speak or may have fairly limited speech. They may have an understanding about what people are saying to them, but they would prefer to use alternative forms of communication like sign language.

Social Interaction

Adults with autism find it harder to recognise and understand people’s feelings and manage their own. For example, they may stand close to another person, behave inappropriately, may not want others attention and prefer to be alone. This can often make it harder for adults to make friends.

Social Imagination

Adults with autism find it difficult to understand and predict others intentions and behaviour. They often image situations in which their own routines happen. This can mean that they carry out narrow and repetitive activities. Lack of social imagination shouldn’t be confused with lack of imagination as many people with autism are extremely creative.

Importance of an autism diagnosis

Being diagnosed with autism when you’re an adult can have advantages and disadvantages. Some adults can be happy with self-diagnosis and decide not to ask for formal ones. But for people who would like a diagnosis, there are various benefits according to the NAS.

Understanding yourself

People who have autism who have known for a long time that they have special difficulties, but are unable to explain these. This could be because of misdiagnosis. A proper diagnosis can be a sigh of relief for them as it means that they can learn and understand their condition.

Learn the understandings from others

Many sufferers are constantly being misunderstood. When the people are closer to you, you understand why you find certain things more difficult and it’ll be much easier for them to understand.

For Adults with more acute autism, learning difficulties/disabilities and behaviour that challenges help is at hand to discover more please visit www.skillstank.co.uk.  If you would like to talk to someone in more detail, please call Glenys or Wayne on 0121 308 655 or shoot them an email to wayneh@carefirstltd.co.uk