Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults

Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in adults has become increasingly common in recent years due to growing awareness of the issue.

In the past, many people with Autism Spectrum Disorder who were not diagnosed in childhood did not seek a diagnosis as adults, instead continuing to live with a sense of being different and attempting to cope with the difficulties and gaps they experience on a daily basis.

It is important for us to emphasize that it is never too late to seek a diagnosis. If you or someone in your family has experienced various and bothersome communication difficulties throughout the years and were never diagnosed and received treatment, there is no reason to not seek a diagnosis at any age to receive a suitable diagnosis.

Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults

Although when discussing adults, it is more difficult to notice signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder, there are several behaviors and patterns that may raise suspicions:

• Difficulty in understanding what other people are thinking or feeling.
• Anxiety and worry about social situations.
• Unintentional bluntness or disinterest in others.
• Difficulty expressing feelings and emotions.
• Literal understanding, difficulty in discerning cynicism or deceit.
• Adherence to a routine and overwhelming anxiety when coping with changes.
• Difficulty in understanding social behavior.
• Avoidance of eye contact.
• Getting too close physically to other people, or vice versa—an unpleasant feeling when someone else touches you or gets too close.
• Extremely perceptive of small details, patterns, odors, or sounds—much higher than other people.
• Meticulous planning of future activity.

Most of the information in an adult diagnosis comes from the individual himself, but occasionally from the partner or family member. Focus is not placed only on behavior within the family but also at work and in romantic as well as social relationships.

The diagnostic tool used to diagnose adults can be similar to those used for children (like questionnaires) but adapted to the adult population.

Place of diagnosis

Adults over the age of 18 are diagnosed for Autism Spectrum Disorder (known as a communications diagnosis) privately only since no public funding or subsidy is available. The diagnosis may be performed:

• In HMOs.
• At private diagnostic institutes (some of which are in hospitals)
• Independent diagnosticians.

It is important to make sure that the diagnosis meets the Ministry of Health's standards for diagnosing adults so that it can be accepted by different government agencies and institutions.

Therapy and help after a diagnosis

Once diagnosed, the patient will be given various proposals for therapy and assistance based on their specific needs. The therapy will focus on improving social, communication, behavioral and emotional function.

Additional information in the article on treating Autism Spectrum Disorder

In conclusion, it is important to emphasize that diagnosis is a tool that helps coping with the difficulties and facilitates recognition to anyone who needs help. Despite the various challenges in the healthcare system, significant progress has been made in recent years in knowledge and tools to identify, diagnose and treat Autism Spectrum Disorder in adults. The hope is that today even those who were not diagnosed in childhood and have been dealing with communication difficulties for many years will not hesitate to seek an appropriate diagnosis, receive the assistance they deserve, and improve their quality of life.

Assisted in the preparation of the article: Ido Michaeli-Assor, speech pathologist, Autism Department at the Ministry of Health and director of the "Shavim" Center in Jerusalem.