What Are the Symptoms of Autism in Adults?

Those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may display a range of signs and symptoms that can vary from mild to severe. These symptoms include:

Adhering to a strict routine every day and getting very anxious if/when it changes.
Avoiding eye contact.
Finding it difficult to make friends.
Finding it difficult to put words to how you’re feeling.
Finding it hard to understand or empathize with what others are thinking or feeling.
Getting anxious in or about social situations.
Getting upset if someone encroaches on your personal space or touches you.
Having very keen interest in certain subjects, tasks, or activities.
Liking to have a plan for things and feeling uncomfortable if those plans change.
Not being aware of personal space and getting too close to other people.
Not understanding social cues and “rules”.
Noticing small details, patterns, or stimuli that others don’t.
Preferring to be on your own because other people don’t make sense to you.
Seeming blunt, rude, or uninterested in other people without meaning to.
Taking sarcasm or certain types of phrases very literally.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that symptoms will vary in their presentation, over time, and in terms of severity.