Experts have warned that an adult autism diagnosis is very different from a child's, and revealed three signs that someone could be suffering with the developmental disorder.
Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects one in every 100 people in the UK.
A spectrum disorder means that signs and symptoms show very differently in every person - some extremely severe, others not so obviously.
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Experts have suggested that it is far easier to spot a diagnosis in children than adults, as they may have spent a lot of time becoming good at masking their symptoms.
Dr. Catherine Lord, a clinical psychologist and member of the Autism Speaks Medical and Science Advisory Committee, explained how a diagnosis in adulthood comes about.
Speaking to MSN, she said: "Typically, we begin the process by meeting the adult virtually and talking to them about what they are looking for and why they want the assessment.
"Then, if the adult is comfortable with it, we get information from someone who knew them when they were a child."
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She added: "That is very useful because autism is a developmental disorder, so we are looking for something that has always been there but may not have caused difficulty until later in life."
The expert revealed signs that are more commonly associated with spotting autism in adulthood than childhood...
Verbal/non-verbal communication
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The psychologist noted that those who have autism often struggle with eye contact during conversations and interactions.
They may also respond more bluntly than the average person, as a lot of the time, they simply work with facts and sometimes miss social cues.
A person with autism is more likely to take the things someone says literally, as they can find it hard to understand sarcasm, often missing jokes or idioms.
Socially awkward interactions
Someone struggling with autism may find it hard to tap into empathy, making it difficult for them to understand why someone feels or thinks in a certain way.
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They may also prefer to be alone than in company, and can find it hard to make friends.
Adults with autism may find it difficult to understand unwritten social rules or norms.
Repetitive/restrictive behaviour
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Experts suggest that an adult with autism will often stick to the same daily routine, but emphasises that everyone can experience symptoms differently.
They notice small things or patterns that someone without autism would probably overlook, which can make them exceptionally suited to specific job roles.
People with autism can get fixated with extremely niche and specific interests.
It's also important to note that while you may feel like you are on the autistic spectrum, you cannot self diagnose autism.
It's recommended to book an appointment with your GP, if you feel like you, or someone you know, may be struggling.
Topics: Health, NHS, True Life, Mental Health, Advice
Mia Williams