5 Signs of Undiagnosed Autism in Adults

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition arising from problems with brain development. It affects how people view and socialize with others, leading to difficulties in communication and in socialization. A person with ASD may also display limited and repeated patterns of behavior.

The condition is usually diagnosed early in childhood, but some people may not be diagnosed correctly or at all, leading to adults on the spectrum who struggle with their daily lives.

At the offices of board-certified anesthesiologist Dr. Michael Kullman, he and the team diagnose and treat patients with autism spectrum disorder at our offices in White Plains and Mount Pleasant, New York. If you’re an adult and think you may have an undiagnosed case of ASD, here’s what you need to know.

Common symptoms of ASD

ASD is a spectrum disorder, meaning symptoms may be more or less present, or more or less severe, for one child than for another.

Some children show signs in early infancy, such as not making eye contact, not responding to their names, or not interacting with caregivers. Others may not develop according to normal guidelines for the first few months or years of their lives. Then, they suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive or they may lose the language skills they had before.

Most children display signs by the time they’re two or three years old.

Some kids who are on the mild end of the spectrum may have more symptoms that don’t show up until middle to late childhood, when they have a greater need to communicate and be social with their peers. It’s also possible for someone to receive a diagnosis as an adult, though they likely had symptoms during childhood that went unrecognized.

Some children on the spectrum have difficulty learning, and some have lower-than-usual intelligence. However, others may learn quickly and have usual-to-high intelligence, but they have difficulty communicating what they know and applying it to their daily lives, especially in social situations.

5 signs of undiagnosed autism in adults

Autism symptoms in adults resemble those seen in children. But adults with ASD may have learned to suppress their symptoms to fit in with the world around them. This is known as masking, and it can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems.

Many adults with ASD indicate they:

Feel awkward in social situations, prefer to be alone, and have difficulty making friends
Find it hard to understand what other people are thinking
Find it hard to see things from others’ perspectives
Prefer order and routine
Have intense and specific interests

Symptoms can vary over time and may become worse during periods of stress or a major life change.

Adults with ASD may also be more likely to develop mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. In fact, one study indicated people who weren’t diagnosed with ASD until they were adults were almost three times more likely to develop a mood or personality disorder than those diagnosed in childhood.

Treating adults with ASD

Getting an ASD diagnosis, even as an adult, can help you connect with therapists who may work on functional goals such as improving communication skills, building relationships, and regulating emotions.

They can also use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address comorbid conditions like anxiety, depression, and sleep problems, as well as everyday problem-solving.

There can also be a role for medications. Dr. Kullman uses ketamine to alleviate ASD symptoms such as social anxiety and help with emotional regulation. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has found new life in treating patients with a wide range of disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and ASD.

If you think you may have an undiagnosed case of autism spectrum disorder, it’s time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kullman. Call our office at 914-465-2882, or visit our website for more options.