Autism in Adults

[Kath2003]

So, I know a fair amount about recognizing autism in kids, but what are the "symptoms"/characteristics of in adults?

 

[freckles and boo]

Like every autism question, there aren't any easy answers. Some people learn either through therapy or just by living how to cope with many of their challenges. Some remain profoundly detached and disabled. There isn't a "cure" but higher functioning people sometimes adapt better. People with Aspergers often find niche careers that value their passions for things like science, computers, etc. Why do you ask?

 

[Kath2003]

My friend works with someone who is very socially awkward. I don't mean just not that sociable, I mean serious issues. I just wondered how autism would manifest itself in an adult because what he describes seems like it to me...

 

[freckles and boo]

Social awkwardness alone could mean a lot of things. People with autism also almost always have sensory integration issues and strange, delayed, or impaired communication skills.

 

[Kath2003]

He's told me that:

- he won't sit with anyone, even at lunch, even if asked

- he orders everything (pens, post-its etc.)

- any messages taken have to be written in full prose, with different coloured pens for different parts of the message. NO PART of the message must be missed - literally a word-for-word transcript.

- he nods constantly when being spoken to or listening to radio/on the phone or whatever



There are a bunch of other things too (like, doesn't wear appropriate clothing for work, cannot co-ordinate outfits etc.) but I didn't think these were so relevant. He could just be a bad dresser

 

[freckles and boo]

He's told me that:

- he won't sit with anyone, even at lunch, even if asked

- he orders everything (pens, post-its etc.)

- any messages taken have to be written in full prose, with different coloured pens for different parts of the message. NO PART of the message must be missed - literally a word-for-word transcript.

- he nods constantly when being spoken to or listening to radio/on the phone or whatever



There are a bunch of other things too (like, doesn't wear appropriate clothing for work, cannot co-ordinate outfits etc.) but I didn't think these were so relevant. He could just be a bad dresser

Some people with autism are a bit obsessive. He could just be an eccentric dude or he could have Asperger's. Obviously he is functioning in a job so more power to him!

 

[Kath2003]

Some people with autism are a bit obsessive. He could just be an eccentric dude or he could have Asperger's. Obviously he is functioning in a job so more power to him!

Indeed, but sadly it appears they are finding him difficult to work with. I guess if there is a reason for this behaviour the employer can't divulge it but it'd do my friend good to at least understand the cause of such behaviour. He's being a little bit "unloving" in his attitude at the moment

 

[freckles and boo]

Indeed, but sadly it appears they are finding him difficult to work with. I guess if there is a reason for this behaviour the employer can't divulge it but it'd do my friend good to at least understand the cause of such behaviour. He's being a little bit "unloving" in his attitude at the moment

That stinks. I hope your friend can find a bit of compassion. Obviously the guy is "different", for whatever reason, and he probably wishes he could fit in better.

One thing I did forget to mention originally was "stims" or self-stimulating behaviors. Hand flapping, spinning, rocking, etc. My daughter doesn't have any visible stims so I tend to not think of them when I think of symptoms. His nodding might be something like that. It could also be something he learned in a social skills class ("Nod when someone speaks to you")