Autism in Adults: Support, Self-Discovery and Therapy Options

What Autism Spectrum Means

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that limits daily functioning. It is characterized by 1) difficulty with social interaction and 2) restricted and repetitive patterns of interests, activities and behaviors. Autism therapy can help with some of these difficulties.

ASD can also include intellectual or language impairment, and now encompasses several conditions that were in older versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM). Many of those conditions are no longer recognized in the DSM-5.

One of these conditions is Asperger’s disorder. Asperger’s disorder was defined as impaired social interaction without restrictions in language or intelligence.

The reason ASD is considered a spectrum is that the way it manifests can vary between people, depending on age, developmental level and severity of the condition.

At one end of the spectrum, impairments are relatively mild and can be unnoticeable when the person has adequate support; Asperger’s disorder would fall at the mild end of the ASD spectrum.

In the middle of the spectrum, the person requires substantial support and the impairments are apparent. At the other end of the spectrum, the person requires a very high level of support and impairments are severe and apparent.

It is estimated that between 1 and 2 percent of the population in the U.S. has ASD. ASD symptoms begin in early childhood, but it is a lifelong disorder.If you think that you or a loved one is struggling with ASD but it was not caught before, a late autism diagnosis in adulthood is possible.

Common Traits in Adults

ASD in adults can manifest differently than it does in children.

Common signs of adult autism include:

Making little or inconsistent eye contact.
Displaying nonverbals that do not match verbal communication.
Having an intense interest in a few specific subjects.
Needing a strict routine and experiencing stress when the routine is disrupted.
Needing consistency in the environment.
Self-soothing from overstimulation with repetitive behaviors like foot-tapping or hand rubbing.

Strengths & Challenges

Persons with ASD experience an array of challenges, but the condition is also characterized by a variety of strengths.

Often, persons with ASD can develop intense interests in specific arenas and will exhibit an exceptional ability to learn things in detail and remember complex information across the long term. A person with ASD may excel in math, science, art or music.

Challenges for someone with ASD occur in a few different domains: relating to others, managing one’s own behaviors and emotions and following through on tasks or responsibilities.

Common challenges include:

Difficulty seeing things from a different point of view.
Difficulty with interpreting nonverbal communication (e.g., shrugging, facial expressions).
Lack of flexibility with schedule or environment.
Difficulty with controlling emotions or behavior.
Becoming overly stimulated and distracted by sounds or visuals.
Difficulty with planning and execution.
Being unintentionally late to, or forgetting, appointments.
Difficulty with sustaining a conversation.

Also, those with ASD often have other co-occurring mental health conditions. Approximately 70 percent of those with ASD have one additional mental health disorder, and about 40 percent have two or more disorders. ADHD, anxiety and depressive disorders are common co-occurring conditions.

The good news is that challenges in ASD and co-occurring conditions can be conquered with the right treatment and support.

Autism Therapy Approaches

The first key step to acquiring effective treatment and services is, of course, accurate diagnosis of ASD and any co-occurring conditions; evaluation by a psychologist, neuropsychologist, or psychiatrist can facilitate this.

The ideal treatment plans include a multidisciplinary team of providers and prioritize interventions suitable for the individual based on their diagnoses, symptoms and symptom severity.

Treatment typically involves a combination of autism therapy and medication. Medication can address symptoms of anxiety, depression and ADHD.

Autism therapy for adults can build on strengths and teach social interaction skills, management of co-occurring conditions and life skills for independent living.

Furthermore, involvement of loved ones in the treatment process can aid in managing behaviors and the person’s environment to allow for effective functioning and well-being.

Lastly, social workers can help adults with ASD connect with resources for services such as locating housing and job coaching.

Navigating Life & Relationships

If you have ASD, there are some strategies that you can purposefully adopt to help cope, as well as foster resilience.

These include:

Integrating recreational activities that align with your interests or strengths into your daily routine. This can help to recuperate and self-soothe when feeling overwhelmed.
Seeking emotional support, such as an autism support group.
Purposefully using technology, such as joining online groups for those with ASD or seeking services like having groceries delivered.
Finding ways to avoid or cope with sensory overload, for instance, with tinted glasses, noise-canceling headphones or fidget toys.
Recognizing and working toward strengthening your weaknesses.
Understanding that having ASD is just one part of who you are, not your entire identity.
Learning as much as you can about ASD and how to advocate for yourself.

If you have a loved one with ASD, it can be hard to know how best to support them.

These strategies may help:

Learning about ASD and the different ways it can manifest in the realms of social communication and restricted behaviors or interests.
Helping your loved one avoid sensory overload by adjusting lighting, controlling or masking sounds or avoiding certain smells.
Using clear, calm and predictable communication.
Setting aside time regularly to communicate with each other.
Understanding that your loved one may have different leisure interests than you and being okay with spending time doing things without each other.
Helping your loved one connect with professional help.

Reach Out Today

It is never too late to seek evaluation and services for ASD. Call 800-731-0645 ( Sponsored) today to speak with someone who can help.

Autism and Therapy FAQs

What’s the Difference Between Asperger’s and Autism?

Asperger’s disorder is an outdated disorder that has been subsumed into Autism Spectrum Disorder. Characteristics of Asperger’s in adults would fall on the mild side of the spectrum.

What Are Some Common Traits of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Adults?

Some common traits include making little eye contact, not picking up on or understanding social cues, needing a strict routine and controlled environment, easily experiencing sensory overload (e.g., excessive light, certain sounds) and taking an intense interest in a few specific subjects.

I Have ASD, What Coping Strategies Can I Use?

Some coping strategies include taking breaks throughout the day.

Doing an activity you enjoy, using ways to avoid overstimulation like noise-canceling headphones, learning as much as you can about ASD and how you can advocate for yourself and seeking help from a mental health professional.

How Can I best Support My Loved One Who Has ASD?

The best way to support your loved one is by learning as much as you can about ASD and determining what your loved one’s needs are.

Sometimes these needs may be difficult for you to understand (e.g., adequate time for social isolation), but it is important to still honor them and not take them personally.

It is also important to communicate with your loved one in a way that is clear and predictable to them, and to set aside regular time to communicate with each other.

What Treatments Are Effective For ASD?

No one treatment plan is effective for everyone because each individual has unique traits and needs.

Typically, treatment involves medication and therapy providers can recommend the medication and types of therapeutic approaches best suited for you.