[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/03\/adult-autism-diagnosis\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/03\/adult-autism-diagnosis\/","headline":"How Do Adults Get Diagnosed With Autism?","name":"How Do Adults Get Diagnosed With Autism?","description":"

Wondering, \"Am I autistic?\" Getting a diagnosis for autism can help you access therapies and supports. Learn how to get diagnosed for autism as an adult.<\/p>","datePublished":"2025-03-24","dateModified":"2025-05-12","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/behavioral-health-regions","name":"UPMC Western Behavioral Health","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/behavioral-health-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/behavioral-health\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-1615555331-e1742574612939.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-1615555331-e1742574612939.jpg","height":866,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/03\/adult-autism-diagnosis\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":1035,"articleBody":"Some adults may have autistic traits despite not having an official diagnosis of autism. Due to less awareness of autism in previous decades, many autistic people were never assessed for autism as children. An estimated 2% of adults live with autism, but this number could be higher.If you think you may have autism, you can still get diagnosed as an adult. A diagnosis may provide helpful answers, which is a possible first step in getting the support you need.Here\u2019s what you need to know about getting diagnosed with autism in adulthood.Am I Autistic? Autism Symptoms in AdultsIf you search the term \u201cAm I autistic?\u201d quizzes will pop up. But autism experts don\u2019t recommend these autism spectrum tests. Autism is too complex for a simple online quiz to diagnose.Autism in adults has three main symptoms. They are trouble with social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests.Yet, these broad symptoms can present in very different ways. Some who are autistic are very talkative, while others seem more reserved.In more detail, autism symptoms in adults can include the following. A person with autism may notice a few or many of these symptoms:Being more affected by sensory input than others. For example, you may find sounds very distracting. Or, certain clothing fabrics may make you feel very uncomfortable.Difficulty interpreting nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions or body language.Difficulty seeing things from someone else\u2019s viewpoint.Need for strict routines.Prone to saying things that others view as inappropriate.Repetitive movements, such as hair twirling or repetitive lip movements.Speaking in a stilted or flat (monotone) way.Strong fixation on a specific interest or interests. (Your interests may change over time.)Strong memory of details, such as dates, facts, or names.Talking about a topic of interest for a long period without recognizing that the other person has lost interest.Trouble maintaining conversation, with a preference for very short, direct answers.Sometimes, autism symptoms are less noticeable in adults than in children. That\u2019s because adults often learn how to \u201cmask\u201d or hide their autism symptoms. For example, people with autism learn to imitate the behaviors of others to fit in.How an Adult Gets Diagnosed With AutismIf you\u2019re an adult who thinks you might have autism, you can:Ask your family doctor to refer you to someone who can assess you for autism.Book an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist specializing in diagnosing autism in adults. (You can search online for an adult autism diagnosis expert in your area.)Reach out to a psychologist or psychiatrist who diagnoses autism in children and ask them if they can provide you with an autism assessment.As most autism experts focus on autism in early childhood, finding someone who can diagnose an adult isn’t always easy. You may have to reach out to several clinics before you see someone.What Happens in an Assessment for Autism?To determine whether you have autism, a professional will ask questions about your childhood, relationships, interests, and more. You’ll also complete tests and questionnaires that assess your memory, focus, personality traits, and more. The process takes many hours and often requires more than one session.The professional may also want to speak to someone who knows you well, such as a parent, sibling, spouse, or close friend. This can help the expert understand how autism impacts your life and how your symptoms have changed over time.The assessment is thorough to ensure that you don\u2019t get misdiagnosed. People can mistake the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other health problems for those of autism.Why Do I Need a Diagnosis of Autism?Seeking a diagnosis of autism (or not) is your choice. An official diagnosis may help you to receive workplace accommodations or disability support. You may also require a diagnosis to get access to therapies via insurance.If you feel discriminated against, you may need a diagnosis to file an official complaint with your school or workplace.Even if you don\u2019t require therapies or accommodations, an autism diagnosis may benefit you. The diagnosis can help you learn more about yourself and your relationships. Loved ones may support and understand social behaviors or sensory needs more.Though an autism diagnosis can have many benefits, there are also potential downsides to consider. For example, people with autism may face a barrier to serving in the military.What Supports or Therapies Are Available for Adults Who Have Autism?Many adults with autism don\u2019t require any support or therapy. However, if autism affects your family life, friendships, or work, you may benefit from therapy or support groups, such as the following:Cognitive behavior therapy is one option that can help people think about problems differently and solve relationship issues. For example, people with autism may find that they accidentally offend people when they speak or that others view them as \u201ctoo direct.\u201d A cognitive behavior therapist can help you overcome such challenges by suggesting phrasing. They can also help you understand your diagnosis and past negative experiences.Occupational therapy is another form of therapy that may help. Occupational therapists can suggest tools and techniques for preventing sensory overload. They can also help you plan cooking, cleaning, or work tasks that may feel overwhelming.Speech therapy offers social skills groups, which can help people with autism who struggle to engage in social situations. In these groups, you practice conversing with others in a comfortable and safe environment. Facilitators offer helpful tips and advice.Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a form of therapy for children with autism, but some providers also treat adults. The treatment uses positive and negative reinforcement to encourage social skills, self-care, and other behaviors. Many autistic people criticize ABA as too focused on stopping behaviors linked with autism rather than helping someone with autism feel happy and connected.You may also find connecting with other people who live with autism helpful. You can learn from and support each other, and knowing that others face the same challenges you do can feel reassuring.SourcesPeople with autism navigate roadblocks to serving in the military. ABC News. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2025","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How Do Adults Get Diagnosed With Autism?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/03\/adult-autism-diagnosis\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]