Internally, many undiagnosed adults with autism say they feel different from those around them.
You may have seenvideoson social media where people detail the signs that made them realize theyre autistic.
Viewers are finding them enlightening and comforting as many people mainly women are undiagnosed as they reach adulthood.
And those internal symptoms are very different from person to person.
There are so many ways that autism can show up and present, Neff added.
I think theres more diversity within autism than there is between autism and allistic.
(Allistic people are folks who arent on the autism spectrum.)
The feeling could be overpowering or could be more subtle, it depends on the person, she said.
They may find options that are more inclusive for neurodivergent people.
Difficulty With Social Cues
Social cues are also another sign.
Additionally, romantic relationships may feel tough to navigate.
People who are not autistic tend to be more or less responsive to sensory stimuli, she said.
A Desire For Routine
Many people with autism thrive on consistency.
The world we occupy is much more uncertain and unpredictable.
So we go to routine as a way of self-soothing, Neff said.
When a routine is disrupted, strong emotions may present, including intense irritability or anxiety.
Instead, it could be a strong preference for a certain mug every morning.
Routine looks different for different people.
Additionally, big changes can be hard, too.
Routine can extend to certain behaviors as well.
A Need For Solitude
Another common sign?
This could mean feeling totally exhausted after a work presentation or a family party.
Bal said this exhaustion comes from a term known as camouflaging or masking.
Tessers added that, from the outside, people have no idea when someone is camouflaging.
Theyre doing what everybody wants or expects of them to some successful degree.
More Intense Interests
A deep curiosity and passion for one particular activity or subject can also develop.
This could mean building a career around a specific interest or knowing everything about a specific hobby.
They typically dont enjoy small talk and perhaps found ways to avoid it, Neff said.
Gardner-Wright added that people who are on the spectrum tend to prefer deep, meaningful conversations.
Neff said autistic people tend to be pretty literal.
Additionally, the communication style can be described as direct and honest.
What we say, we tend to say at face value, Neff added.
If you think you have these signs, look to autistic voices for guidance.
Discovering that youre autistic as an adult can be really validating, Gardner-Wright said.
It can help you more fully understand yourself and your life.
Feeling a mix of grief and also excitement is very, very normal, Gardner-Wright said.
it’s possible for you to reach out to mental health professionals, too.
I worry theres a lot of misinformation and misconceptions out there.
