Autism Symptoms in Adults
For many adults, ASD symptoms can go unrecognised for years, often mistaken for personality traits or everyday stress. While signs may begin in childhood, they frequently present differently in adulthood—less as outward hyperactivity and more as inner restlessness, disorganisation, and difficulties with executive functioning.
Common signs include:
Struggling to maintain focus, particularly on complex or demanding tasks
Persistent procrastination and difficulty managing time effectively
Ongoing disorganisation, including misplacing items or missing appointments
Impulsive decision-making, such as overspending or making sudden life changes
A constant sense of inner restlessness or feeling unable to switch off
Challenges with emotional regulation, including heightened sensitivity to criticism (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria)
If these experiences feel familiar, it may be worth exploring further. The Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) is a commonly used screening tool that helps professionals identify potential signs of ASD
Autism vs. ADHD: Understanding the Overlap
A common question is: what’s the difference between ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? While they are distinct conditions, they often overlap and can co-occur.
Both are neurodevelopmental conditions with some shared traits, but they affect individuals in different ways.
Autism primarily impacts social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of behaviour
ADHD mainly affects attention regulation, impulsivity, and executive functioning
It’s also very common for someone to have both conditions—a combination often referred to as AuDHD. Understanding how these traits interact is key to getting an accurate diagnosis and the right support.