Signs of autism in adults

Main signs of autism

Common signs of autism in adults include:

• finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling
• getting very anxious about social situations
• finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own
• seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to
• finding it hard to say how you feel
• taking things very literally – for example, you may not understand sarcasm or phrases like "break a leg"
• having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes

Other signs of autism

You may also have other signs, like:

• not understanding social "rules", such as not talking over people
• avoiding eye contact
• getting too close to other people, or getting very upset if someone touches or gets too close to you
• noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds that others do not
• having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities
• liking to plan things carefully before doing them

Autism in women

Autistic women may be more likely to:

• have learned to hide signs of autism to 'fit in' - by copying people who do not have autism
• be quieter and hide their feelings
• appear to cope better with social situations
• show fewer signs of repetitive behaviours

This means it can be harder to tell you're autistic if you're a woman.

The National Autistic Society have more information about autistic women and girls