Do you think you may be on the autistic spectrum?
How can you tell?
- Have you had a lifelong history of untreatable depression, anxiety or OCD
- You may feel as though you’ve never quite fitted in. Always feeling like an outsider.
- People think you’re bit of an odd-ball or quirky.
- You have a communication style that is different from other people. Because of this, you were bullied at school, or at work.
- Routine could be very important to you, and you get upset if anything changes..
- You may be good at focusing on small details, whilst missing the overall point, or bigger picture.
- You worry constantly about many things. This leaves you feeling constantly on-edge.
- Do you have strict self-imposed rules about the way things should be done.
- You have OCD-type symptoms. For example: Feeling compelled to count a certain amount of times, before you can complete an action. Touching an object a specific number of times before you can move on to the next task.
- You feel that you never do well in social situations. You frequently miss the point of the conversation, don’t get jokes and lose track of what people are saying.
- You always seem to be on a different page from everyone else involved in the conversation.
- You prefer your own company, and tend to isolate yourself.
- You may feel that it’s not necessary to involve other people in your world. It gives you more time to engage in your special interests.
- You may want to have friends and an active social life, but do not know how to go about it. You can never quite seem to get it right and constantly fall out with people.
- You find it difficult to understand information and follow instructions. This is really noticeable when information is given verbally. Even though you have a good level of intelligence, you just can’t seem to process what people are saying to you.
- You may be overly-sensitive to noise. For example, a police-siren, a dog barking or even someone turning the pages of a newspaper.
- You may find it very difficult to wear itchy, or tight clothing. Seam’s and tags feel extremely uncomfortable.
- Being in crowded places, or on public transport causes you to feel anxious. There’s lots of noise and information to process, and people rushing around in different directions. You worry that someone will bump into you, or get in your way.
- You hope that no one sits or stands too close to you on the train or bus.
- You may have an intense interest In a particular subject or activity, usually this will be something you do alone.
- You tend to talk at people, rather than engaging in conversation with them.
- Sometimes you launch into a long monologue with another person about your special interest, or something that is bothering you. You do not even say “hello” to them, you just launch into whatever’s on you mind. You do not realise that the other person is bored with the conversation, and is trying to get away from you!
- You can be easily manipulated by others. You are not good at understanding the other person’s real intentions.
- You find it difficult to either start, or end a conversation. You often trip up over your words, not quite saying the appropriate thing at the correct time.
- Sometimes you need extra time to really understand what someone is telling you. You need everything to be explained over, and over again until you finally get it.
- You may have trouble predicting what a person will do next, or what the consequences of your actions will be.
- You may indulge in unusual body movements such as hand flapping, swaying from one foot to the other or bouncing against a wall.
- You often seem to be in lost your own world, seemingly unattached to whatever’s going on around you.
- Most older adults with undiagnosed autistic spectrum disorder, probably feel as though they have consistently under achieved throughout their life.
Do you feel that you can relate to this list? You may want to consider speaking to your doctor about a referral for an autism assessment.
Hope this helps
Steve
Simon H says
Hello
Thanks for this..
I’m 49 and starting to realize that I am autistic. I mask really well and through observation of people I have learned a lot of social skills.
I have a core of really good friends who are really important to me.
Oddly I’m very adventurous and open minded to new idea. I just get overwhelmed by too much sensory input and I need to hide away sometimes.. I struggle in conversation unless it’s something I’m interested in.
I do try and get on with people. Im eally aware of going on a monologue or ranting so often pull myself back before I get to intense lol! I also am very polite to people and make sure I show an interest in them.
Thanks x
Tommy says
This page displays the most concise and clear list of symptoms that I have found online. It is very good.
I realised last year that it is highly likely I have had it all my life and I was born in the late 1960s. I can’t be certain though as a diagnosis has to be made by other people and not just by oneself. I will most likely not pursue a diagnosis as there is very little point now. I can get help from pages such as this. I am also prepared to consider that I might not have it and am in fact just an a**h*** (please excuse my French). Assuming I do have it, I find the process of realising, so late in life, that other people do not process information the way “we” do to have been disturbing, illuminating and also a relief in a way. I also feel sorry that other people have had to deal with behaviour that to them seemed so “off”, Like others it has been a “Luke I am your father” moment (The actual line from the film is “No, I am your father” but no one remembers it that way). To reference another film, I think many of “us” feel like the David Bowie character in “The Man Who Fell to Earth”.
Thank you Steve Slavin and best wishes to all the people going through something similar.
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Tommy
Thanks for your comments.
I think there are lots of us older people just finding out that we have autism: after a life of not understanding why we are the way we are.
I personally found getting a diagnosis helpful, as it confirmed things I didn’t know about myself.
Thanks again Tommy for your kind comments. Best wishes to you.
Steve
Anonymous says
Hello Steven
Very helpful indeed. I have read all the comments and reply’s.
I’m due to be diagnosed next week in Bristol. I’m feeling pretty anxious about this already. I’m 47 and just want an answer as to why I have been the way I have all my life.
PS I have just ordered your book.
Thank you
Susan
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Susan
Thanks for visiting my website, and ordering my book. Personally, I found getting an autism diagnosis to be a positive step forward. You may have a period of self-discovery following the diagnosis. But then, you can just carry on with your life with a greater understanding.
Best wishes
Steve
Colin McGilvra says
Hi Steve I was interested in your article,I’m a sixtytwo year old male,I have no interest in relationships I stay on my own I would holiday on my own and I worked on my own, my only friends are church friends,I find relationships very hard, I count things hate people being late if an engineer says they will come at nine o’clock I’m looking out the window for them bang on time,if I have to go somewhere that I have never been before I will go the day before to see how long it is going to take me getting there,I sit and do three dimensional puzzles,my father who used to fish if his fishing line got tangled up into a mess would give me the reel and I would untangle the line for him,I won’t stick up for myself as I just can’t seem to get the right words an example recently I ordered demims online I hate crowds,but they were not what I had ordered so in the end I went into my nearest store just as they opened and I should have been given a replacement but the guy on the refunds desk said no and I just accepted that and left the store it was only after emailing customer service that I got a replacement,this sort of thing happens all the time and has done since I was young, I have never had any diagnosis of autism and it was only after the recent television program that made me wonder whether I should speak to someone about this.
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Colin
Its not too late to get a diagnosis.
A lot of people are getting a late diagnosis these days. I received mine at 48.
Have you considered speaking to your doctor about your possible autism?
Steve
Samantha says
Hello, I am a college student and I have been wondering if I have autism for a while. I finally took that “Autism Spectrum Quotient” test and got a 35 out of 50. I believe I have autism but I don’t want to be diagnosed in fear of discrimination. I am already 19 and I think I cope with my autistic tendencies by myself pretty well. The only bad thing is that one of my coping strategies (which is to isolate myself sometimes for more than a week in my room until I feel like I can handle social interaction) makes my mother worry about me. Do you think it is worth to get a proper diagnosis? How will getting the diagnosis even help me?
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi
Personally, I found the diagnosis helpful. Also I have found the opposite of discrimination. People have been really accommodating to my needs.
With a diagnosis, you may be able to get extra time when taking exams. possibly a useful thing at your age, if your planning on college or university.
Getting a diagnosis is definitely worth considering.
Regards
Steve
Dan says
Wow, thank you for writing this post. I am apparently likely to be on the “spectrum” but I am having a hard time processing that information. Reading both your post and the comments has really, really helped me a lot as I can relate to about 90% of what you have written exactly.
Thanks again.
Best wishes,
Dan
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Dan
I’m glad you found the article helpful.
Regards
Steve
Dan says
Wow, thank you for writing this post. I am apparently likely to be on the “spectrum” but I am having a hard time pricessing that information. Reading both your post and the comments has really, really helped me a lot as I can relate to about 90% of what you have written exactly.
Thanks again.
Best wishes,
Dan
Georgia says
Hello Steve,
Thank you for your post, I can relate to every one of your bullet points.
I’m very scared to contact my GP and tell them about my worries, I’m scared that they won’t think it’s a possibility.
How did you go to your GP?
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Georga
Thanks for your message.
I was lucky, my psychologist spotted my autism and I didn’t have to try to convince my doctor first.
I think that you need to see how your doctor reacts to your suspicion about autism. They may be sympathetic and refer you for an assessment.
But I also think it’s worth making a list of the reasons you think you may have autism, and take it with you to your appointment.
See how this goes, and if you get a negative response, contact me again and I’ll see if I can help further.
Best wishes Steve – adultswithautism.org.uk
Louise Singer says
Hi Steve,
I was just wondering exactly how the diagnosis helped you? Not unkind but I have often wondered whether or not to keep looking for an answer as to why I have always felt a little out of place and very much out of myself when I don’t know what is coming next. I am a student learning disability nurse and have done much work with people with autism, so I almost feel as though I shouldn’t fit the diagnosis myself, does that make sense?
I have been tested for things like epilepsy to try and explain things but it wasn’t that. I’ve had bouts of depression anxiety but have never understood why. But every autism test I have taken come out as boarderline autistic. I just wondered how much does a diagnosis help? And do you get any stigma from it?
I hope you don’t mind me asking, thanks
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Louise
Thanks for contacting me.
Actually, my autism diagnosis was a real game-changer, and in a very positive way.
Just knowing what lay behind all of my difficulties, has allowed me to understand myself so much more.
I would never want to go back to those pre-diagnosis days.
Sure, the depression and anxiety is still there at times, but it’s now easier for me to separate these symptoms out from the autism symptoms that always fell outside my mental health issues.
Of course, we are all different, but it’s definitely worth considering a referral for an autism diagnosis. It may turn out that you do not have it, this is also useful information, allowing you to search in other areas for answers and solutions.
Hope this helps
Best wishes
Steve
adultswithautism.org.uk
Laura Gow says
Hi Steve……thank you so much for this post!
I can relate to most of these bullet points….and it gives me such a sense of relief at the age of 33.
I will go to my GP.
Thank you!!!
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Laura
You are most welcome.
Please let me know how you get on.
Best Wishes
Steve adultswithautism.org.uk
Kevin Kerr says
Hi Steve,
Very scary, I recognise many of the bullet points above. I have always found it difficult to fit in to groups and feel that I have always underachieved in life. I approached my GP several years ago about the issue and the initial response was ‘do you really want to find out if you are autistic and what would there be a benefit?’ Despite this I persisted and was referred to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist decided that I wasn’t autistic because I showed no sign of unusual hand movements – a very strange conclusion indeed. Very frustrated and disappointed, I gave up after that..
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Kevin
You’re psychiatrists point about ‘no sign of unusual hand movements,’ is quite frankly, utterly ridiculous!
This just shows the lack of knowledge and awareness that has existed amongst professionals that should know better.
It may be a good idea to pursue another diagnosis through your GP.
Did you see the recent program on CHANNEL 4 – ARE YOU AUTISTIC?
Here is the link
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/are-you-autistic
Best wishes
Steve
adultswithautism.org.uk
Christine says
Wow I’ve often wondered about this as my learning and social issues have created a struggle for me, I’ve suffered with depression and anxiety all of my life, hate loud noise and crowds,or lots going on at once, I find itchy clothing and people who get too close to me on buses trains very annoying and quite anxiety provoking at times. I was walking home one day and a lady was getting very close before she went around to pass me, I found I felt extremely anxious and wanted to yell at her but didn’t. I am however friendly but prefer it be me that starts any chat! And taking in lots of information is difficult for me, I didn’t do well at school but also lost both parents at 13 and 15 so that could be part of it.
My English is very good however and I got a few things printed. As for other information well that’s more tricky. I attended a two year,counselling course but didn’t complete it to get the diploma, as I found the structured essays almost impossible for me, so I couldn’t do them.
I am nearly sixty so not sure I want or need to be diagnosed now, but I do wonder if it would help me at times.
I do feel Isolated at times as I have always felt different.
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Christine
On the face of it, that sounds like a textbook case of undiagnosed high functioning autism. And very similar to my symptoms.
I definitely benefitted from having a diagnosis. Life has got so much better since. I no longer have to apologize for the way I do things, or my sometimes, quirky behavior.
It may be worth considering a diagnosis – self-awareness is always beneficial in the long run.
Regards
Steve
Wendy Clarke says
Hi Steve, I found your blog the best I’ve read since researching my mothers behaviour. I do not have autism but I believe my mother did and some times it made her life very difficult. I would like to ask if there is anything I can do to help other adults in my area.. I live in Derbyshire. I understand what difficulties may arise as I witnessed my mother struggling with social situations and falling out with people and used to wonder what her problem was. Now I know if I can help other people then I would like to. Wendy
Carl says
Hi Steve, thank you for your blog, some I relate to, others I don’t and I can add things as well, I especially relate to the early years experience’s of slow learning i grew up in the early 50s in Salford Lancashire which was a pretty tough environment and I was very quite and withdrawn and did get bullied hell of a lot, I was very poor academically and couldn’t read or spell until I went to secondary modern at the age of eleven and it was my first English teacher there that opened my world to Enid Blyton and my reading blossomed but even now at the age of 63 my spelling is crap, my one saving grace getting through school and later life was art at school and baking later on, at the age of about 8/9 i was in a class and we had to copy a picture out of a book, it was a milk maid milking a cow if i remember correctly and i did just that, and my teacher was amazed that i had copied it almost like for like, i even got to take it to the head master to show him, and he was gob smacked and later on i ended up as a baker which has been my career for most my life but i have had breaks and tried different jobs as the stress involved day in, day out was to much and over the years i can now look back and realize that most my problems came from not being able to handle stress and my relationships with colleagues would often suffer and that has been my biggest problem, also people don’t always understand were i am coming from because i have never toed the conventional line, but most people love me but some realy take a dislike to me before getting to know me and that really upsets me, having said all that i have owned and run several businesses but nearly killed myself doing it because i have obviously never been a great man manager unless i have had the right mix of people working with me and i wouldn’t have done any of it had i not had my wife and sole mate along side me to help smooth the waves that i have created, i am to long in the tooth now to probably help but it would be nice to speak to someone who could say yes,you are on the Autistic spectrum or no, you have just been a dumb f**** all your life!
Reiss Mikula says
When I read this article, I was amazed at how much I could relate to it. I do pretty much everything that’s written here. The one thing I couldn’t relate with was the part about getting bullied in school; I don’t get bullied in school. Somehow, in the past couple of years, I’ve reached like some kind of celebrity status in my school. Last time I was bullied was almost ten years ago, and it was just by some girl who was mean to everybody. I think the reason people like me so much is because I’m unique, so I guess having autism is going pretty well for me. I really want kids from other schools to realize that there’s nothing wrong with being autistic and weird.
Allysia says
Hey I just wanted to say that all the information has kinda helped me understand a few things better cause iv noticed I’m not like the other kids at school it tends to bother me some days cause I know I’m different I tend to have my headphones in most of the time at school I guess music helps calm me down cause I get aggravated with school a lot and at myself sometimes cause I don’t understand my school work they can try over and over to show me how to do it but something’s just won’t click. I try to explain it to people and how I feel but I don’t know how to like I know how I feel I just don’t know how to explain it with words I guess and then when someone get aggravated and starts yelling at me I don’t seem to deal with it I guess I just feel confused. Just a lot of things I guess but I don’t want to go on forever about it but I want to say thanks your blog helps explain a lot of things better!
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Allysia
Thanks for your message. May I ask if you have a diagnosis of Autism? I assume you are a young person, and I was wondering if your parents or carer is aware of any difficulties you are having at school.
These days, many teachers are aware of the difficulties people with autism have with their relationships and school work. But they need to be made aware of any problems you may be having. Is there a member of staff you can speak to at school, or a parent that can help you communicate the problems you have in class?
Regards
Steve http://www.adultswithautism.org.uk
Erik says
Hello Steve. Thank You for this article on Autism traits wich I see myself in and relate deeply to. All my life I have felt different and by Reading about Your experience With autism it brings great clearity to my own situation.
Best Regards, Erik from Norway.
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Erik
Thanks for your message. Iam really glad you found the article helpful. Also, have a look at some of the videos I made about autism on my website.
Best wishes
Steve http://www.adultswithautism.org.uk
Michael says
That is a comprehensive list; almost everything on it accurately describes me. I was diagnosed nine years ago with Asperger’s Syndrome, which I suppose is now called “High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder.” The diagnosis helped me to understand much of the pain of my earlier years when I did not know why I never could fit in with other children. I lasted only a week or two with my initial first grade teacher; she thought I was stupid because I was quiet. I was sent to the “speech bus” because I apparently did not articulate words correctly. The diagnosis helped me to see patterns that I would have otherwise missed as being part of one syndrome.
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Michael
Thank you for your message. I am really pleased you read the article and contacted me.
It really helps when we share our experiences. This is why I set up the website. I feel less isolated now that I can share my thoughts on autism with other people.
Have you seen the autism videos on my website. You may find them helpful
Thanks again.
steve http://www.adultswithautism.org.uk
Autism Care says
Getting a diagnosis of autism (including Asperger syndrome) can be a really positive thing. A lot of people say their diagnosis has helped them to understand why they have difficulties with some things and why they are especially good at some things.
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi
Yes I totally agree with you. I personally found that getting an autism diagnosis was the almost the most important moment in my life. This also been be backed up by dozens of readers on this website that have had a diagnosis after many years of “unexplained” mental health conditions.
I now wonder how I got through all those pre diagnosis years, not knowing what was wrong with me.
Best wishes
Steve http://www.adultswithautism.org.uk
Anne says
Thanks for this. I can relate to most of these. I am an adult with a referral waiting for my assessment. This was done through local GP and they were very helpful actually.
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Anne
You are welcome. I’m glad to hear that you have had a good experience through your GP. Unfortunately, too many people have had a rather negative experience with the referral process.
Do you live in the UK? I think that recent government/National Autistic Society initiatives have helped to make getting an autism diagnosis for adult easier.
Hope it goes well for you.
Best wishes
Steve http://www.adultswithautism.org.uk
Anne says
Hi! I did get the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Aspergers). But I decided to pay for private service with an experienced clinician who also does NHS assessments in another Local Health Authority area. Yes, I am in the UK. The National Autistic Society have been campaigning to get waiting times down. I would have still been waiting otherwise; not the fault of Local Doctor; but the Clinical Commissioning in the Local Authority area. In the UK there are varied levels of help and going down this route is acceptable if you can find the right service! I got a recommendation from another woman. We are very much trying to get people to understand the difficulty and anguish that people experience while waiting. I think that the co-occurring issues can be very damaging. A lot of people need help from the mental health services because of this. I am grateful for our health service here for treatment for depression & anxiety. Accessed through local doctor’s practice. This was after my diagnosis and the therapist is aware and able to help me positively.
But there are some hideous stories and most people wait at least a year locally. I had saved enough to invest in my own wellbeing at a crucial time. I want to help others in the future in my area.
Philip Pettit says
I was involved in the Psychiatric system for over 40yrs during which time I was given many labels. I have been on every medication there is as well as having had ECT. None of this helped and I am as lost today as I was at the beginning. The last Psychologist I saw in hospital felt I might have Aspergers. In my research on the subject I began to gain a little insight into the strange, bewildering experience that has been my life. Geographically I am far removed from anyone with expertise in this area, and as such, must continue to exist in a world I cannot understand.
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Philip
Sorry for the “very” delayed reply to your email.
I am sorry to hear about your experience with mental health conditions. From my experience, many people like us have come to an autism diagnosis after a life time of “unsolvable” mental health problems. Do you feel it would be beneficial to get a diagnosis? I suspect that it would help you in the way it helped me, and many others. I would urge you to try and find a professional to carry out a diagnosis.
Best wishes
Steve http://www.adultswithautism.org.uk