Have you always felt out of place, like you didn’t belong or that you’re just different from those around you. Here’s a secret: we’re all a little different in one way or another and that’s what makes us all special and unique. However, some people have a combination of traits that lead them to be formally diagnosed, or self-identify as being on the autism spectrum. In some cases, this diagnosis or realization may have been missed as a child — so here you are, an adult, asking questions. Are you wondering if you are autistic? For those seeking to learn more about autism, here’s some helpful information.

Simply put, autism is characterized by differences in the brain. This can include differences in social-communication, information processing, sensory experiences, and restricted and/or repetitive patterns. 

While the DSM-5 lists specific diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, autism traits can present differently in adulthood than in childhood (due to a variety of factors). Here is a list of characteristics that autistic adults may experience. We have included some examples from the DSM-5 and some additional examples that you may find relatable.

Struggles with Social Communication/Interaction

One significant category of autism includes difficulties with social communication and interaction. This can include, but is certainly not limited to:

1. Struggling with social reciprocity aka the “back and forth” of social interactions.

Some examples of what this could look like:

• difficulties with greetings or farewells

• reduced sharing or oversharing 

• challenges with initiating or maintaining conversations

• difficulties with “small talk”

• trouble identifying when it’s their turn to speak vs. listen

• monologuing

• difficulties understanding what their conversation partner “expects” to hear

• overthinking about what their conversation partner “wants to hear”

• using closed-ended responses that don’t encourage further conversation

• struggling to ask “follow-up” questions that encourage further conversation

2. Difficulties with nonverbal communication 

Some examples of what this could look like: 

• makes little to no eye contact, finds eye contact uncomfortable, or makes too much eye contact

• atypical body language, facial expressions, or tone of voice

• difficulty understanding others’ body language, facial expressions, or tone of voice

• mismatches between verbal and nonverbal communication 

• difficulties with using and/or understanding gestures 

• misunderstanding nonverbal cues of sarcasm

3. Difficulties with relationships

Some examples of what this could look like: 

• feeling awkward or uncomfortable in social situations

• may need more alone time than others 

• can become overwhelmed by social obligations or expectations

• has trouble in large groups of people

• harder to make or maintain friendships 

• anxiety with meeting new people, tendency to stick with only familiar people

• struggling to find shared interests or have relationships with people who don’t share the same interests

• struggling to “relate” 

• may struggle to understand being disinterested vs. too interested

• shy, reserved or introverted

Restricted or Repetitive Patterns 

Another significant category of autism involves restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. This can include, but is certainly not limited to: 

1. Repetitive movements, use of objects, or speech (stimming)

Stimming (self-stimulatory behaviors) can include a lot of things. Some examples of what this could look like: 

- rocking, flapping, spinning, jumping, pacing, tapping, clapping, biting, chewing, blinking, fist-clenching, spinning objects, rubbing, hair twirling, joint- cracking, and many more

- repeating words, sounds or phrases

- humming, whistling, singing 

- smelling or licking things

- watching objects moving or lights/colors changing

- listening to the same sounds, songs, or noises

- repeatedly smelling or tasting strong smells and tastes 

- repeatedly clearing throat or grinding teeth

- hair pulling or skin picking 

- rearranging or lining up objects

- and many more! 

2. Insistence on Sameness

Some examples of what this could look like: 

• strict adherence to consistent schedules or daily routines/rituals

• finds comfort in structure and repetition

• may become anxious or overwhelmed when schedules or patterns change

• difficulty with transitions 

• strong preference for pre-planned activities 

• distressed by last minute plans or changes 

• may eat the same foods, watch the same movies, listen to the same music, buy the same clothing, take the same route to work every day 

• discomfort with trying new things 

• prefers to write lists or use visual schedules to prepare 

• may want their environment to stay the same (i.e. items in their home have a specific spot)

3. Special Interests 

Some examples of what this could look like: 

• intense interest in specific subjects, topics, or activities 

• intricate knowledge of preferred topics 

• spends a very significant amount of time thinking, talking, or learning about their interest 

• may struggle to entertain topics outside of their special interest

• can struggle to connect with others who are not interested in the same things 

• may have interests that are seen as “obscure” or “unusual,” or may have interests that are very common. Everyone is different! 

• may be involved in their interests to a degree that is seen as atypical  

• may collect things related to their special interest 

• can benefit from a sense of community with others who share the same interests, attending events related to their interest, joining forums dedicated to their interest, etc.

• special interests can be very focused or very broad, and can of course change over time! 

• The level of engagement with special interests can also change over time!

Sensory Differences 

Adults on the autism spectrum are more likely to be sensitive to sensory input. This sensitivity may include over-responsiveness (hypersensitivity), under-responsiveness (hyposensitivity) or both. Sensitivities can involve sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch, but can also include vestibular (balance, coordination etc.), proprioception (body awareness and movements) and interoception (awareness of internal body sensations and cues). 

Some examples of what this could look like: 

Hyper-Sensitivity 

-aversion to loud noises, easily startled, overwhelmed after prolonged exposure to noise, may have very specific sounds that they are averse to 

-might prefer to wear noise-canceling headphones

-may prefer when people speak in a calm, soft voice

-may be hyper-aware of noises that others don’t pay attention to 

-may be sensitive to bright lights or “loud” colors, patterns 

-may prefer to spend time in low-light environments or natural light environments

-may be overwhelmed by “clutter” in the visual field 

-can be touch avoidant or dislike touch. may have different tolerance levels for different types of touch. (i.e. may dislike hugs but be okay with holding hands)

-may dislike certain sensations such as touching slime, paint or sand

-may have a lower pain threshold or tolerance for physical discomfort 

-can be very sensitive or avoidant of certain textures (food, objects, furniture, clothes)

-may be hyper aware of certain textures (i.e. focusing on the feeling of clothing on skin, hyper aware of the mouth-feel of a specific food, etc)

-may be averse to certain foods

-may be sensitive to certain types of movement 

-may avoid large crowds, may prefer more personal space 

-people who are hypersensitive can require time in a calming environment to regulate after situations that overwhelm their sensory systems 

-may have trouble focusing due to their hypersensitivity

Hypo-Sensitivity

-may prefer loud music or sounds, bright lights, vibrant colors

-may have the need for faster or more frequent movement 

-may seek out interesting textures (crunchy/spicy food, biting or chewing things, fuzzy fabrics, textured objects, strong smelling scents, slime, paint, sand, etc)

-can feel comforted by touches, deep pressure, hugs,  squeezes, weighted blankets, etc.

-may use touch to receive more input from their environment, tapping, rubbing, bumping into things.

-may prefer to talk loudly or for people to speak in a more animated tone

-may have less body awareness, less awareness of internal body cues

-may have higher tolerance for pain or physical discomfort 

-may struggle with coordination or balance

*hyper- and hypo-sensitivity can absolutely vary from person to person, day to day, and different situations. You can be sensory-seeking in certain areas and sensory-avoidant in other areas. It is perfectly okay to need more or less sensory input based on how you are feeling.