The National Autistic Society outline common autism traits
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Autism spectrum disorder has been found in all age, racial and socioeconomic groups but as many as one in four cases go undiagnosed. A large number of adults have mild forms of autism that fly under the diagnostic radar for years. These milder cases might only have a small number of symptoms, or may have learned to suppress symptoms in a way that makes them harder to identify. If you recognise certain symptoms in yourself or the people around you it could be worth pursuing an assessment through your GP or a specialist.
The NHS reports that common signs of autism in adults revolve around how you interact socially with other people.
You might find it hard to understand other people’s thought processes or emotions, or struggle with communicating your emotions to other people.
Many autistic adults struggle with maintaining the implicit give-and-take rhythm of a conversation, either withdrawing from a discussion or going on monologues and tangents.
Other symptoms include holding rigid routines or repetitive behaviours and exhibiting strong niche interests.
One study published in Brain Sci suggests that women are more likely to be misdiagnosed when being examined for autism.
Some research has speculated that women are less susceptible to developing the condition, but others have raised the possibility that symptoms are less likely to be recognised in women.
Symptoms of autism that make you less communicative are more likely to be attributed to gender rather than neurology.
The NHS notes that autistic women may be quieter and better able to hide their feelings, making it more difficult to diagnose them.
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It is common for people with undiagnosed autism to receive a diagnosis for some of the symptoms they present.
A 2019 study revealed that more than ten percent of autistic adults had previously been misdiagnosed with ADHD as children.
Symptoms of autism might also be attributed to conditions such as OCD or social anxiety disorder.
Such a diagnosis might go unquestioned for years afterwards.
If you believe you are autistic, the NHS recommends that you pursue a diagnosis through a doctor or therapist.
Understanding the condition and being diagnosed can give you access to resources and support that improve your quality of life.
The BMA reports that waiting times for diagnosis have increased significantly in the past several years.
Freedom of Information requests have revealed that less than ten percent of people in England receive a diagnosis within three months of speaking to their GP.
Autism can predispose you towards mental health complications, and autistic people are more likely to require mental health services.
A study in the journal Autism surveyed 500 psychotherapists in Germany and revealed that many had not been given training to diagnose or treat autistic patients.
Many were revealed to have outdated or incorrect information about autism that could limit their ability to provide help.
Some studies have attributed the pervasiveness of misinformation about autism to how it is represented in media and fiction.
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