What Autism Spectrum Disorder Looks Like in Adults Seeking Mental Health Care

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a mental health condition that stems from problems with brain development. It affects how individuals view and socialize with others and usually leads to difficulties in communication and personal interactions. A person on the spectrum may also display limited and repeated patterns of behavior. 

Though ASD is usually diagnosed early in childhood, a person can be misdiagnosed – or not diagnosed at all. They may grow up living with the challenges of ASD, only seeking out medical help when they reach adulthood.

Board-certified anesthesiologist Dr. Michael Kullman and our expert team diagnose and treat patients with autism spectrum disorder, including newly diagnosed adults, at our offices in White Plains and Mount Pleasant, New York. If you suspect you may be on the spectrum, here’s what you need to know about what it looks like in an adult.

How ASD presents in adults

ASD in adults is more common than you might think, with about 2.2% of people over the age of 18 diagnosed. And new research suggests that adult diagnoses are on the rise, with the greatest rate increase among those in the 26-34 category. A study published in JAMA Network Open indicates that the diagnosis rate in this age group increased by 450% from 2011 to 2022.

Symptoms of ASD in adults resemble those seen in children. Common signs include:

• Difficulty understanding what others are thinking or feeling
• Becoming anxious about social situations
• Difficulty making friends or preferring to be alone
• Appearing blunt, rude, or not interested in others without intending to
• Difficulty expressing how you feel
• Taking things literally – e.g., not understanding sarcasm or idiomatic phrases
• Adhering to a routine and becoming anxious if it changes
• Having intense and specific interests

Symptoms can change depending on circumstances and may worsen during periods of stress or life changes such as moving or getting married.

Unlike children, adults with ASD may have learned to mask their symptoms to fit in with the world around them, a behavior known as masking. Masking is unhealthy, though, and it can itself lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems. The problem and solution become entwined in a circular pattern.

Adults with ASD, perhaps because of masking, though that isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, may also be more likely to develop mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. One study suggests that those 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 ASD in adults

An ASD diagnosis in adults opens doors to a variety of treatments. The first is a connection to therapists who use techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to challenge long-held beliefs and encourage more adaptive ways of approaching problems.

Access to medications that can help with symptoms is another benefit. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can reduce repetitive behaviors while also decreasing anxiety, depression, irritability, and aggression. Antipsychotic drugs also reduce repetitive actions and minimize aggression, while stimulants increase focus and decrease hyperactivity.

In addition, Dr. Kullman uses ketamine infusion therapy to reduce many of the symptoms of ASD in both children and adults.

An adult ASD diagnosis can also provide certain benefits, including:

Self-acceptance

By understanding what’s responsible for their challenges, people can feel empowered and learn to turn those challenges into strengths.

Access to services

Having a definitive ASD diagnosis may help an adult get access to, and possibly insurance coverage for, therapies that address specific challenges (e.g., occupational therapy to cope with sensory issues, social skills groups to practice communicating with others).

Better work protection

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, adults with ASD have the right to reasonable accommodations at work, such as noise-canceling headphones, dimmed office lights, and access to assistive technologies to complete their work.

Since many adults with ASD find it hard to get and keep a job, a diagnosis may make them eligible for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, where a counselor can help identify solutions to workplace challenges.

Community

Social groups and support groups exist for people with ASD, allowing them to connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges.

If you’re an adult and 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.