Adult Autism Symptoms

Most cases of full-blown autism are spotted and diagnosed at a young age, but what are the adult autism symptoms? Obviously, the kind of autism that isn't discovered until adulthood is of a milder variety than the social, verbal and behavioral problems that make a child stand out. In other words, an adult would most likely have Aspergers syndrome or an affliction far out on the mild end of the autistic spectrum. That doesn't mean the problem can or should be ignored; even a mild case of autism can have significant impact on quality of life and overall happiness.

Only a specialist can make a real diagnosis, but there are some telltale signs that can help you determine when it is time to seek out that kind of qualified expertise.

Poor communication - Even people with mild autism tend to have problems picking up on the subtle aspects of communication, making human face-to-face interaction challenging. Body language, facial expressions, intonations and other non-verbal cues, as well as irony and jokes often gets lost in processing. This disrupts overall coherence and frustrates all parties involved. It is quite possible why many people on the spectrum actually prefer written communication, such as emails and IM. While neurotypical people may find this stifling, the autistic finds clarity and precision.

Social awkwardness - Naturally, the communication problems often lead to some degree of social awkwardness. A group of friends making tongue-in-cheek comments about a celebrity or politician may be perceived as honest opinions, for example. Many people with autism tend to be uncomfortable with eye contact, which neurotypical people may take as a sign of disinterest or even disrespect.

Lack of intimacy - A high-functioning individual can get through life very well, making friends and doing limited socializing, but it may be difficult to let that significant other through the innermost walls. This is not for a lack of want, but simply a question of not having the tools to quite get there kind of like how a deaf person can't pick up the sound of a beautiful symphony no matter how much he wishes he could.

Problems keeping time - People with Aspergers in particular can have problems keeping track of time once they engage in an activity they enjoy. This laser-like focus is great in controlled circumstances, such as when studying or playing chess, but they sometimes require an external force to get them OUT of that almost trance-like state. It can also be triggered by tasks like stacking and organizing things on shelves and other activities that speak to the pattern-loving part of the autistic brain; it just clicks, and the person spends an hour organizing the spice racks just perfectly without barely noticing.

Lack of emotional control - People on the spectrum may be out of touch with their own emotions, as with those of others. That means they get surprised and almost ambushed by their own reactions to upsetting situations. A mild case of adult autism would obviously not be anywhere near the tantrums an autistic four-year old would throw, but it's enough to get a little out of hand and perhaps react a little irrational in the eyes of a bystander.

Keep in mind that this is a pretty broad list, and practically everyone can be said to hit the mark on at least some aspects of this checklist. If your boyfriend doesn't seem to "let you in" all the way, that doesn't mean he's an undiagnosed autistic by default! However, if he's also displaying signs like never making eye contact, consistently missing non-verbal cues and tends to get "stuck" on strange tasks while losing all track of time, it may be time to take a step back and ask yourselves if this could indeed be adult autism symptoms. If this is the case, talk it out, keep your calm and see a specialist. Remember, it's not the end of world; he or she managed just fine up until this point, and it can only get better once you start addressing the problem. Good luck!.

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