Yes, someone can have autism and not know it, especially if they've developed strong "masking" or coping skills, were missed by childhood diagnoses (often due to being female or having less obvious signs), or simply never sought an evaluation, with many adults realizing their traits later in life through research or recognizing their differences from others.
Common signs of autism in adults include:
ASD Level 1: Requiring Support
Individuals with ASD level 1 may have difficulty understanding social cues and may struggle to form and maintain personal relationships. A child with level 1 autism may understand and speak in complete sentences, but have difficulty engaging in back-and-forth conversation.
find it hard to communicate and interact with other people. find it hard to understand how other people think or feel. find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable. get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events.
The lines between the tiers are somewhat blurred so people often ask, “is Level 2 autism high-functioning?” and the answer is that it can be. It depends on the individual and the symptoms they exhibit. Level 3: Individuals with Level 3 ASD require substantial support, which could include full-time aids or therapists.
Around 90% of autism cases are attributed to genetic factors, meaning autism is highly heritable, with many different genes contributing, rather than a single cause, often interacting with environmental influences during early brain development, though specific environmental factors don't cause it but can increase risk. Twin studies show strong genetic links, with concordance rates between 60-90% in identical twins, and research points to complex interactions of many genes and prenatal/perinatal factors.
Here are some common signs of “mild autism” in adults to look out for:
Meltdowns are often the result of situations with high demand in one or a few of the following areas: Social situations (for example social anxiety or misunderstandings) Sensory overload (for example to much noise, light, itchy clothes) Experiencing changes and unpredictable things.
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
Top 10 Calming Strategies for Autism
What Are the Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome?
There is not just one cause of ASD. Many different factors have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
One common expression of anger in high-functioning autism is intense emotional outbursts such as tantrums, verbal aggression, and even physical aggression. These episodes can include shouting, name-calling, hitting, slapping, or destroying objects.
Females tend to mask signs of autism
Females with autism learn or mimic socially acceptable behavior by watching television shows, movies and the people around them. They may copy the facial expressions of others to hide social communication challenges. Those efforts can cause mental exhaustion, stress and anxiety.
Examples of this, which may be done consciously or unconsciously, include: using facial expressions, perhaps by mirroring others', that wouldn't come naturally to you. forcing yourself to make eye contact or monitoring how much eye contact you are making.
Some specific triggers for a meltdown in an Autistic person – child or adult – may be:
In the United States, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is usually diagnosed in children between 3 and 7 years of age. However, studies have shown that parents usually have concerns about their child's development, especially social development, at or before 18 months of age.
Fragmented/Distorted Perceptions: Some individuals with ASD may experience sensory input in a fragmented or distorted manner, making it challenging to interpret and respond appropriately. This can affect their ability to interact with their environment effectively [1].
Many autistic people experience hypersensitivity to bright lights or certain light wavelengths (e.g., LED or fluorescent lights). Certain sounds, smells, textures and tastes can also be overwhelming. This can result in sensory avoidance – trying to get away from stimuli that most people can easily tune out.
Your child may have experienced an autistic meltdown. These may look like a tantrum, with crying, trying to escape the situation and even aggressive behaviors and self-harm. It's important to know that a meltdown is not the same as a tantrum, and it's not a form of manipulation.
Examples of literal thinking in autism
Common colloquial phrases are sometimes taken literally by autistic individuals, who may misunderstand the meaning. For example, if someone says, “Break a leg” or “Hit the books,” a literal thinker might take it as actually breaking a leg or physically striking their books.
Self-Care: Regular self-care practices such as mindfulness, deep breathing, or sensory breaks can help regulate emotions and reduce anxiety. Deep diaphragm breathing is excellent for returning the nervous system from dorsal vagal to ventral vagal functioning.
Signs and Symptoms of Borderline Autism
Physical Symptoms: