Have you ever felt like you're watching the world through a slightly different lens than everyone else? Do social situations leave you feeling drained and/or confused, even when it seems like others around you are chattering away easily? Or maybe you’ve always had a passionate interest in things that other people struggle to understand?
If you find yourself nodding in response to any of these questions, it’s quite possible that you could be on the Autism spectrum.
Although Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is often conceptualized as a childhood condition, increasing numbers of adults are now realizing that they may be autistic as well. But, this realization can be both enlightening and overwhelming.
“I’ve made it this far in life. I can’t possibly be autistic!”
False. Autism presents differently in everyone, and many have learned complex coping strategies to mask (or deal with) their autistic characteristics and brain style. Women, in particular, are often underdiagnosed or outright missed, as they sometimes present differently than autistic men. As a result, many people – especially adults – are now realizing that their lifetime experience of struggle and feeling different might have a label: Autism.
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Common Signs of Autism in Adults
1. Social Challenges: A lot of autistic adults find social situations confusing or downright hard to follow. You might struggle to read social cues, keep up eye contact, or understand the unwritten social rules that other people “just seem to get.” Small talk could feel like a minefield, and you might prefer discussing very specific topics in long, serious conversations. On the flipside, you might be able to do all of these things and are a social butterfly when you need to be. But at the end of the interaction/event/day, you feel drained and need more time than others to rest and recharge.
2. Communication Quirks: Do you tend to take things too literally, missing out on sarcastic or idiomatic meaning? Or do you sometimes launch into a monologue about something you are interested in talking about, then getting frustrated when others seem to have lost interest, without noticing the clues that they want to move on to something else? These may be signs of an autistic communication style.
3. Intense Interests: Many autistic adults are known to become obsessively interested in certain topics that dominate their attention for months or years, then shifting focus onto a new interest, often also intense. You might find your attention has been captivated by your chosen topic for several hours, and you have a hard time shifting your attention away from it – to the point where it might get in the way of chores, social engagements, and even sleep.
4. Sensory Sensitivities: Certain sounds might be unbearably loud, lights too bright, or textures completely intolerable. On the other hand, you might seek out certain sensory experiences that you find soothing or pleasurable. Sensory issues can show up in various ways, both for good and for bad.
5. Relying on Routine: Do you get stressed when your routines get disrupted? Quite a few autistic adults seem to enjoy structure and predictability; changes or going off-plan can trigger anxiety or frustration and sometimes ruin the whole day.
6. Emotional Regulation Issues: It can be difficult to get someone to share their emotions with you, and even harder to handle those emotions once they are out in the open. You might be on the other end of this, struggling to express your feelings, or perhaps you have explosive or unpredictable emotional reactions that seem beyond your control. For girls and women, others might describe your emotions as “dramatic.” They are commonly diagnosed with intense anxiety and/or depression before autism is ever a question.
While these are not the only signs that you might be autistic, they are the ones that people most often see or express concerns about. What’s most critical to understand is that Autism is a spectrum for a reason. This doesn’t mean a linear scale from “mildly” to “severely” autistic, though you will still see it described that way. Instead, think of it as a color wheel, where each person has their own unique blend of traits and challenges. One autistic person might find great success in their career while struggling to interact socially. Another might have a flourishing social life, but be completely overwhelmed by sensory issues and work-related concerns. It’s all about accepting that autism is different for everyone.
When to Consider an Evaluation
Of course, many of these things are common for us all to experience some of the time. The big difference is in the degree and consistency of these traits, and the way that they influence your life. So, when should you consider seeking an evaluation?
- These traits significantly interfere with your work, relationships, or daily functioning.
- You've always felt "different" but couldn't quite put your finger on why.
- You've tried various therapies or self-help strategies with limited success.
- You're experiencing anxiety or depression related to social or sensory challenges.
- You see more than one of these markers as indicative of autism in yourself, and have experienced them since childhood.
- You are frequently ‘masking’, i.e., pretending to be someone you’re not or “doing what you’ve seen other people do,” in social settings.
If any or all of these resonate with you, an evaluation could be in order. Now, you might be wondering what are the benefits of an evaluation if I’m an adult. That’s a perfect question and one you should definitely ask before you pay the money for testing. For adults, a diagnosis can:
- Increase self-understanding by giving you an explanation to your lifelong struggles, differences, and strengths
- Open doors to therapies, supports, and work or school accommodations that actually fit you and your brain style
- Help you connect with a vibrant community of autistic people who may share similar experiences (and traumas)
- Improve how you form and exist in relationships
- Transform the way you advocate for yourself and your needs in various settings
Adult Autism Evaluations at Magnolia Wellness & Psychology
We offer comprehensive Autism evaluations that are tailored to each person, which allows us to recognize the nuances of autism characteristics, understand how these characteristics show up in your daily life, and explore/rule out alternative diagnostic explanations. We also offer virtual evaluations for people not located in the Roswell area or who may be located out of state.
At Magnolia Wellness & Psychology, not only is there no waitlist, but you also have access to our schedule so that you can see when the next appointment is available and you can schedule your appointment online right then and there! We have trained professionals devoted to inclusive autism assessment who will complete your evaluation in 30 days and provide you with streamlined recommendations to prepare you for what happens next.
The evaluation process starts with a virtual initial intake appointment to gather additional details to help us understand you, your needs, and your concerns. Next, you will meet in-person or virtually for about 3 hours to administer any assessments we’ve determined. Sometimes, we require two testing sessions to make sure we’ve gotten everything we need. In a few weeks, you meet with us again virtually to go over the details of your assessment, get your final report, and receive any supplemental documents like referral resources, support letters, and an insurance superbill.
If you are ready to stop wondering and know for sure whether you have an autistic brain style, schedule your initial appointment with Magnolia Wellness & Psychology and get your results in 30 days!
*Note: “Girls” and “Women” refers to those Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB). “Boys” and “Men” refers to those Assigned Male at Birth (AMAB).
