Autism in Adults.
More and more adults are being diagnosed with autism. This is likely due to increased awareness and better screening. The following signs in adults might indicate an autism spectrum disorder:
- Getting very anxious about social situations;
- Finding it hard to make friends and preferring to be on their own;
- Seeming blunt, rude or uninterested in others;
- Having difficulty understanding other people’s feelings, as well as their own;
- Taking words and phrases literally, not understanding jokes or sarcasm;
- Having the same routine and feeling anxious about having to change it.
Adults with autism find it hard to understand social rules, getting close to other people, or looking into their eyes. They like to plan things carefully, and tend to notice the tiniest details, patterns or sounds that others do not pay attention to. [9]
Research has shown that activities that encourage independence can reduce autism symptoms and improve daily living skills. Still, the above problems make it difficult for people like that to interact with others and find a proper job. Nearly half of young adults with autism will have failed to find a paying job by 25. [4]
That’s why early diagnosis is so important. A person diagnosed as a child is more likely to have a higher quality of life in adulthood.
