Diagnosing Autism in Adults: Clinically Focused Recommendations

Abstract

Autism is sometimes missed in childhood and can be associated with co-occurring conditions (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or anxiety) and lower quality of life in adulthood. The present paper seeks to provide concise and up-to-date information for practicing clinicians who are tasked with evaluating potentially autistic adults who were not diagnosed in childhood. For assessments of autism, practicing clinicians should consider many factors in adults, including “masking” symptoms, sex or gender differences, and family reports of developmental history when available. Treatment providers should tailor their interventions to include psychoeducation about autism symptoms for newly diagnosed autistic adults. Clinicians should utilize a multi-trait assessment method and provide evidence-based treatment recommendations to manage possible co-occurring mental health needs when working with autistic adults.

Keywords: Autism; autism spectrum disorder; adulthood; clinicians; therapy; assessment