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8/15/2017 6 Comments

Diagnosing Autism in Adults

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Could an adult actually be diagnosed with Autism? With the increase in awareness, most individuals now are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at younger ages. However, that was not always the case. As a result, more and more adults are self-identifying behaviors and seeking information regarding an Autism diagnosis.

Behaviors typically related to Autism include: sensitivity to sensory input (touch, taste, smells), difficulty taking others’ perspective, having restricted interests, difficulty with changes to routine and challenges with conversational turn taking. Since some behaviors appear to overlap with other disorders, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), some adults may have gone misdiagnosed or undiagnosed with Autism for decades. Another factor in late diagnosis is that girls are significantly less likely to be identified with ASD as compared to boys, instead being seen as “shy” or “introverted”.
 
There are also many strengths related to Autism, including: honesty, attention to detail, high skill level in specific areas and less impacted by peer pressure. These strengths, along with great long-term memory and visual thinking skills, make adults with Autism excellent candidates for jobs in computer programming, photography, drafting, animal care, etc.
 
Since there are no medical tests to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder, evaluations are typically conducted by psychologists or psychiatrists and consist of gathering systematic observations of the individual in a variety of settings. Input is also obtained from significant others, caregivers, friends, parents, etc. via questionnaires or checklists. However, the challenge is that most 
behavioral checklists used in assessment were designed for assessing children, not adults.  Also, the parents of adults are often deceased or unable to provide quality information about early childhood behaviors– which is key to a comprehensive evaluation. 

Fortunately, evaluation tools are slowly being created to address the need for assessing Autism in adults. For example, in 2015 the Adult Repetitive Behavior Questionnaire (RBQ-2A) was developed to measure the extent to which adults are affected by repetitive and restricted behaviors (a core symptom of Autism). Also, some experienced child psychiatrists, pediatric neurologists, etc. may be open to working with adults suspecting Autism or can at least be a good resource for information. 

 
To learn more about Autism in adults, download the free tool kit provided by the Autism Speaks organization: https://www.autismspeaks.org/adult-tool-kit. Or, feel free to contact us for your free 30-minute consultation. 

References: Dr. David Beversdorf, www.autismspeaks.org, July 2014. Dr. Temple Grandin, www.iidc.indiana.edu, November 1999. K. Yandell, www.spectrumnews.org, September 2015. 
6 Comments
Katrina Robbins link
6/22/2022 01:25:56 pm

Hi thanks for possting this

Reply
Crystal Sanford
8/1/2024 09:23:59 am

You're welcome Katrina! We thank you for your positive comment.

Reply
autism help adults link
7/28/2024 11:25:42 pm

Thank you for sharing this insightful article on diagnosing autism in adults. It's crucial to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms to ensure proper "autism help adults" can access for support and understanding.

Reply
Crystal Sanford
8/1/2024 09:23:06 am

We are appreciative to your positive feedback. We completely agree with you that awareness is crucial to ensure access to support! Have a wonderful rest of your day.

Reply
autism help adults link
11/13/2024 06:06:52 am

Thank you for this insightful post! Autism help adults is often overlooked, but it’s crucial for promoting independence and well-being. Resources, therapies, and community support can make a significant difference in daily life and personal growth. With more focus on autism support services tailored to adults, we can foster environments where individuals thrive and feel understood. Keep raising awareness—it's essential!

Reply
Crystal Sanford
11/13/2024 09:55:31 am

Thank you for your insightful response! We will continue to spread awareness with the goal of creating a wonderful enviornment for all to thrive!

Reply



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    Author

    Crystal Sanford, M.Ed., M.A. CCC-SLP, ASDCS  is an Educational Consultant, IEP & Autism Advocate and Speech-Language Pathologist. She is also an author, international speaker, and the host of inspiring podcasts, Thriving Special Families and Thriving Autism Families! Her passion is advocating STRONG alongside all stakeholders who support the autistic student....especially fellow parents. Crystal and her team at the Sanford Autism Advocacy Group strive to empower families, schools, and community members so that the autistic student gets the education they deserve. In her free time, Crystal enjoys reading, walking/hiking a good trail, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two children in San Diego, CA.

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