Fortunately, while recognizing adult autistic indicators can be tricky, there are a few key ways to tell whether you are dealing with an autistic adult. By examining some of these common indicators, you can start to identify and understand your loved one’s needs.

Understanding Social Interaction

One common indicator in autistic adults is difficulty with social interaction. Autistic people may seem aloof and struggle to interpret social cues. Eye contact and body language often escapes them, making conversations and interactions with others strained.

On the plus side, many high functioning autistic adults can learn to regulate their social interaction by taking courses or seeking out specific strategies for interacting with people.

Looking for Repetitive Behaviors

A sure sign of autism in adults is repetitive behavior. Autistic individuals often repeat certain actions and words, develop strange habits and routines, and often display rigid thinking. They may also overreact to changes and have difficulty coping with novel experiences.

So, if your loved one seems to be engaging in repetitive behaviors such as obsessively organizing their room or insisting on the same activities day after day, they may be displaying autistic tendencies.

Comparative Analysis

Additionally, some autistic adults may display subtle differences between their behavior at home and in public. For example, when out in public, they may appear more engaged and socially adept than in a more intimate environment.

Comparing your loved one’s behavior at home and in public can be helpful in determining how comfortable they are in new environments and unfamiliar situations.

Signs of Anxiety

Another common indicator of autism in adults is anxiety. Autistic individuals often feel overwhelmed or scared in new or unexpected situations. They may seem to shut down, exhibit nervous behaviors such as hand-wringing or rocking, or react with verbal outbursts. Anxiety can cause even more difficulties in social interaction and functioning, so it’s important to be aware of this if your loved one is on the spectrum.

Seeking Support

If you think your loved one may have autism, the best thing to do is to seek professional help. Reach out to resources like Ask Grayson, a digital autism support service for friends and family of autistics, for professional support, advice and resources.

Although it can be difficult to identify autistic tendencies in adults, gaining a better understanding of the signs and symptoms can help ensure your loved one receives the best possible care and support. Start by noting their response to everyday situations and looking for any red flags—especially with social interaction, repetitive behavior, and anxiety. If you need help, don’t forget to subscribe to Ask Grayson.

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