What is Autism Like in Adults

Understanding Adult Autism

As the exploration into autism continues, a growing body of research is shedding light on the manifestation of autism in adults. While much of the early focus has been on children, the understanding of adult autism has grown significantly in recent years.

Signs in Autistic Adults

Autism in adults may not always be apparent, as some individuals might be at the high-functioning end of the spectrum, also known as autism with low support needs or "level 1" autism in the DSM-5. These adults may display mild autistic traits related to social communication and sensory responses, making it possible to be an autistic adult with low support needs without realizing it.

In particular, autistic women may be more likely to exhibit signs of autism that can go unnoticed, such as subtler social communication difficulties and a heightened sensory sensitivity. Symptoms of anxiety disorders also commonly coexist in autistic individuals, particularly in biological women and girls, whose ASD might be overlooked or misdiagnosed before receiving a proper ASD diagnosis [1].

Seeking Diagnosis for Adults

For adults experiencing signs or symptoms of autism, seeking a diagnosis from a general practitioner or health professional is recommended. An accurate diagnosis can not only provide clarity and understanding but also facilitate access to necessary support services [2].

Despite the challenges in diagnosing adult autism, particularly in those with low support needs, a diagnosis can be empowering. It can provide a framework for understanding past experiences, identifying strengths and challenges, and planning for future needs. It can also open doors to specialized resources and support networks tailored to adults on the autism spectrum.

In summary, understanding adult autism is a complex and evolving field. Recognizing the signs of autism in adults and seeking professional diagnosis are crucial steps towards ensuring that adults on the autism spectrum receive the support and resources they need to thrive.

Strengths and Abilities

Understanding the reality of adult autism necessitates recognizing not only the challenges but also the unique strengths and abilities that can be associated with this diagnosis.

Unique Abilities in Autism

Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that every autistic individual's experiences and abilities can vary widely. Some autistic individuals may exhibit various strengths and abilities directly linked to their diagnosis. These attributes may include an exceptional eye for detail, the ability to focus intensely on topics of interest, or a unique approach to problem-solving. They may also possess rich imaginations and creative talents in fields such as art, music, or writing [3].

It's important to note that these strengths are not universal to all individuals with autism. Instead, they illustrate the broad range of abilities within the autistic community. Recognizing and celebrating these strengths can contribute to a more inclusive, supportive environment for autistic adults.

Autistic Adults in the U.S.

In the United States, resources and support for autistic adults have expanded in recent years. Organizations like Autism Speaks are dedicated to identifying solutions to meet the diverse needs of adults with autism. Their work focuses on providing resources and services to help autistic adults lead productive lives [4].

Autism Speaks offers an array of resources for adults with autism, including information on diagnosis, rights, adult services, therapy options, employment, housing resources, and community safety. These resources aim to assist individuals in various aspects of adult life [4].

Housing resources include information on housing options and residential support, funding for housing, and tools such as the Housing & Residential Supports Tool Kit to aid in the housing search and decisions for adults with autism.

However, more work is needed. Despite their strengths, on average, autistic individuals have a lower quality of life than non-autistic individuals and are more likely to experience mental health problems. Focusing only on challenges could lead to stigma and limit their potential. Research suggests that strengths-based interventions could improve self-esteem, confidence, social life, and life skills for autistic individuals. It is crucial to focus on their interests and allow them to have control over their lives.

The continued development and implementation of resources, services, and policies that acknowledge and support the unique abilities of autistic adults is vital to enhancing their quality of life and enabling them to thrive.

Challenges Faced by Autistic Adults

Understanding what autism is like in adults involves acknowledging the challenges that autistic adults may face. Among these challenges are elevated levels of anxiety and difficulties in coping with change.

Anxiety in Autistic Adults

Anxiety is a prevalent issue among adults with autism. According to Autism Tasmania, up to 84% of individuals with autism meet the criteria for clinically diagnosed anxiety disorders. This indicates significantly elevated levels of anxiety in comparison to their typically developing peers. Anxiety disorders can manifest in various forms, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, among others. These disorders can significantly impact an individual's overall well-being and daily functioning.

Coping with Change

Another common challenge faced by autistic adults is coping with change. People on the autism spectrum often find change stressful due to behavioral, information processing, and sensory aspects of their diagnosis. They generally prefer familiar environments with predictable routines to reduce anxiety [6].

Transition planning is essential for individuals with autism to cope with changes in environments and routines. It can help reduce stress and anxiety while preventing potential behavioral issues that may arise from unexpected change. Visual strategies such as Social Stories™, social scripts, task lists, schedules, and calendars can effectively communicate upcoming changes to individuals with autism, who often have strong visual learning and thinking styles.

Transitions from one life phase to another, often referred to as 'vertical transitions,' can also be challenging for individuals with autism. These can include progressions such as moving from school to further education or employment. Effective planning and strategies are required to help them transition to new environments successfully [6].

These challenges highlight the need for appropriate support and resources for autistic adults. By understanding these challenges and providing the necessary assistance, it is possible to improve the quality of life and well-being of adults with autism.

Support and Resources

In order to understand what autism is like in adults, it's essential to delve into the support and resources available for them. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of adults with autism.

Autism Speaks Resources

Organizations like Autism Speaks play a crucial role in providing support to adults with autism. They offer resources on housing options and residential support, funding for housing, safety in the community, and tools such as the Housing & Residential Supports Tool Kit to aid in the housing search and decisions for adults with autism [4].

In addition to housing resources, the Autism Response Team (ART) is available to provide specialized support and connect individuals with autism, their families, and caretakers with information, tools, and resources tailored to their needs. This team can be an invaluable source of support in navigating the challenges that may arise in the life of an adult with autism.

Transition Planning

Transition planning is another critical aspect of support for adults with autism. This process is essential for individuals with autism to cope with changes in environments and routines. By reducing stress and anxiety, transition planning helps prevent behavioral issues that may arise from unexpected change.

Visual strategies such as Social Stories™, social scripts, task lists, schedules, and calendars can effectively communicate upcoming changes to individuals with autism, who often have strong visual learning and thinking styles [6].

Progressions from one life phase to another (vertical transitions) can be challenging for individuals with autism. This could be a transition from school to work or moving from one living arrangement to another. Effective planning and strategies are required to help them transition to new environments successfully.

By leveraging these resources and strategies, adults with autism can navigate their life journey with greater ease and confidence. With the right support, they can continue to grow, learn, and thrive in their own unique ways.

Employment for Autistic Adults

A significant aspect of adult life is employment. For adults on the autism spectrum, finding and maintaining a job can pose unique challenges. However, with the right support and understanding, individuals with autism can find rewarding employment that aligns with their skills and interests.

Finding Suitable Jobs

Finding a suitable job is often a challenging task for adults with autism. This can be attributed to difficulties with social skills, recruitment, and interviews. Despite these challenges, many adults with autism are able to secure rewarding employment in a variety of fields such as health care, technical services, education, and retail.

Understanding personal strengths and weaknesses can aid in the job search. For instance, individuals with strong visual thinking skills may find jobs in set design, graphic design, or mechanical engineering particularly rewarding. Furthermore, considering personal preferences such as the schedule, work environment, and the amount of time spent in school can also influence the choice of job. It's equally important to consider if coworkers and supervisors will be accommodating and understanding.

Fields of Work	Examples
Healthcare	Nursing, Therapy, Lab Technician
Technical Services	IT Support, Software Development
Education	Teaching, Tutoring, Research
Retail	Sales, Customer Service, Management

Workplace Challenges

Once employed, autistic adults may face challenges in maintaining employment and ensuring well-being in the workplace. Common challenges include difficulties with social and communication skills, time management, sensory issues, anxiety, sticking to predictable routines, and handling setbacks.

However, strategies can be employed to help mitigate these challenges. Improving communication skills, using time management tools, requesting accommodations for sensory issues, managing anxiety, and creating predictable work schedules can all contribute to a more positive workplace experience.

Challenges	Solutions
Social and Communication Skills	Training, Supportive Co-workers
Time Management	Time Management Tools, Routine Schedules
Sensory Issues	Workplace Accommodations
Anxiety	Stress Management Techniques
Predictable Routines	Structured Work Plans
Handling Setbacks	Support Systems, Resilience Training

In answering 'what is autism like in adults?', it's crucial to highlight the employment aspect. Understanding the unique needs and strengths of adults with autism can lead to more suitable job placements and supportive work environments.

Focus on Strengths

When discussing autism in adults, it's important to shift the focus from only the challenges to also consider the strengths. This perspective can play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for autistic adults and implementing strengths-based support.

Improving Quality of Life

Despite their strengths, on average, autistic people have a lower quality of life than non-autistic individuals and are more likely to experience mental health problems. Focusing only on challenges could lead to stigma and limit their potential. Research suggests that strengths-based interventions could improve self-esteem, confidence, social life, and life skills for autistic individuals. This approach emphasizes the importance of focusing on the interests of autistic individuals and allowing them to have control over their lives.

Autistic Individuals	Non-Autistic Individuals
Lower average quality of life	Higher average quality of life
More likely to experience mental health problems	Less likely to experience mental health problems
Potential limited by stigma	Potential less limited by stigma

Strengths-Based Support

Strengths-based support can help autistic people enhance their self-esteem, confidence, social life, and life skills. Researchers in Australia have explored initiatives like coding clubs for autistic individuals with strong IT skills to assist them in gaining employment [5].

Recommendations have been developed for key organizations and the government to view autistic individuals holistically, recognizing their strengths and challenges. The emphasis is placed on focusing on strengths and providing conducive environments that can lead to autistic individuals excelling and flourishing.

A survey responder highlighted the importance of recognizing individuals' strengths and providing the right environment for them to excel and flourish. It is emphasized that this approach is logical and beneficial for autistic individuals [5].

Research collaborations with Curtin University Autism Research Group and The Centre of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the Karolinska Institute have emphasized the significance of considering both strengths and challenges when evaluating the needs of autistic individuals, advocating for strengths-based support [5].

By focusing on strengths, we can foster a more inclusive society where autistic adults are not defined by their challenges, but by their unique abilities and potential. This can play a significant role in answering the question 'what is autism like in adults?', by providing a more balanced and positive perspective.