\n<\/p>\n
Though some seem concerned with so-called \u201coverdiagnosis\u201d of autism<\/a>, the stats tell a different story. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The National Autistic Society (NAS)<\/a> says that roughly 750,000 autistic adults in the UK are undiagnosed, while the Children\u2019s Commissioner\u2019s 2024 report<\/a> on waiting times for assessment found \u201cinequalities between the most and least advantaged children.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Women and girls may be even less likely<\/a> to get an accurate, early diagnosis of autism, the NAS add; they might only realise they\u2019re autistic late into adulthood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Mikki Lee Elembaby Psy.D<\/a>, a psychologist from Clarity Therapy NYC<\/a> who specialises in autism assessment and diagnosis, said it is common for adults of all genders to have gone their whole lives without having their autism recognised or diagnosed. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Here are five signs she often sees that might warrant further exploration (though they certainly don\u2019t count as a formal diagnosis): <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cMany adults with undiagnosed autism have often spent their lives feeling \u2018different\u2019 without knowing why,\u201d Dr Elmbaby told us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n They may have spent much of their childhood feeling unlike their peers, and have spent much of their lives struggling with socialising.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThey might describe always feeling \u2018misunderstood,\u2019 missing unspoken social rules, or being accused of being too blunt or direct,\u201d the psychologist told us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cMany find small talk to be confusing and exhausting. Even when they have a desire to connect, the effort it can take to decode social cues (e.g. body language or sarcasm) can be mentally draining.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n One late-diagnosed adult told Dr Elembaby, \u201cI feel like I\u2019m missing the manual that everyone else seemed to just get.\u201d It\u2019s a sentiment she hears often. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Sensory sensitivities, or struggling with certain sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures, can be another \u201challmark\u201d sign. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cBright lights, loud noises, scratchy fabrics, certain food textures, or strong smells might provoke intense discomfort or even pain,\u201d Dr Elembaby informed us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As people age, they may compensate for their sensory issues without even realising, the psychiatrist continued.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cEmotional regulation can be an ongoing challenge. Some adults experience meltdowns, or emotional outbursts, during periods of stress or when faced with sensory overload.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n This is common among adults with undiagnosed autism, the assessor said. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cSudden and unexpected changes to plans or ambiguous situations can provoke anxiety or distress,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If, for instance, you hate not knowing where, when, and how you\u2019ll be able to stick to your usual schedule on holiday, that might be worth investigating. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAutistic adults may depend on strict routines or repetitive habits to provide a sense of calm or self-soothing,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAnother defining trait is the presence of intense interests or passions. These passions are pursued with deep enthusiasm and often accompanied by considerable expertise,\u201d Dr Elembaby shared. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n She previously told HuffPost UK <\/a>that \u201cautistic men might fixate on numbers, trains, or mechanics,\u201d which more of us associate with autism than a love of literature or nature, but makeup, literature, art, dolls, TV shows, and more can all count. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Describing this as the most \u201coverlooked\u201d sign of autism, the psychiatrist said that \u201cmasking\u201d \u2013 when people with autism consciously or unconsciously hide or suppress their natural autistic traits to fit in with neurotypical \u201cnorm\u201d \u2013 is \u201cmentally exhausting.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Over time, she says, it can lead to chronic stress, burnout, and identity confusion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cMany autistic adults, especially women, learn early on how to copy or camouflage socially \u2018appropriate\u2019 behaviours,\u201d she ended.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Identifying with one or all of these traits does not mean you definitely have autism. But if you feel that it\u2019s something you want to investigate, the NHS says<\/a> that you should try to get an autism assessment. Adults and children can both apply (but the waitlists can be very long).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n1) You\u2019ve always felt \u201cdifferent\u201d <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
2) You have sensory issues <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
3) Having very strict routines <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
4) Having very intense passions and even obsessions<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
5) \u201cMasking\u201d <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What if I think I\u2019m autistic?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n