![]() Autistic adults may want things to be exactly the same day after day (from taking the same route to eating the same food, for example), and will experience difficulty if routines are changed. Some examples include hand flapping, odd or unusual finger movements, and pacing lining up toys rather than playing with them (when younger) a narrow repertoire for starting or maintaining conversations or using idiosyncratic phrasing. Stereotypes or repetitive motor movements, use or objects, or speech.Repetitive BehaviorsĬlinicians look for restrictive, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities that are maintained across the following four categories only two categories need to be present for a diagnosis: Clinicians often evaluate understanding of how relationships work, differences among types of relationships (friendships, acquaintances, romantic, and family, including how the patient adjusts behavior to suit context and their level of interest in close relationships. ![]() Clinicians also evaluate a person’s ability to understand non-verbal communication in others.ĭeveloping, maintaining, and understanding relationships. Lack of eye contact while communicating is one common behavior observed in individuals on the autism spectrum. Clinicians evaluate the use and integration of gestures, facial expression, and other body parts in communication. ![]() Non-verbal communication is another way of saying body language. Naturally, clinicians evaluate different behaviors in adults and children. Social emotional reciprocity refers to the back-and-forth interaction that takes place with another person during social interactions and conversations. Deficits in Social Communication and Social Interaction These behaviors must be present during development, and they must cause significant impairment in functioning to warrant a diagnosis: During an evaluation, clinicians look for significant challenges in the following domains to determine whether an adult is on the autism spectrum. Full diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5). Adult Autism: Evaluation and Diagnosis Autism Symptoms and CriteriaĪutism is broadly characterized by persistent challenges in social communication and social interaction, as well as the presence of repetitive behaviors. In short, autistic individuals who exhibit more ADHD symptoms also experience greater functional impairments.ĭespite anemic research beyond childhood, there is a growing clinical consensus regarding approaches to evaluation, treatment, and support for autistic adults with a co-occurring ADHD diagnosis. ![]() What we do know is that co-occurring autism and ADHD in adults carries unique implications and considerations that don’t exist for either condition on its own. This emphasis on childhood leaves clinicians to extrapolate interventions and supports for adults. While autism and ADHD are life-long conditions for most people, research has focused almost exclusively on children because that is when symptoms first emerge. Also, autism can influence the presentation of ADHD and vice versa accurate assessment for each is complicated and critical. Though they are distinct, people with diagnoses of either autism or ADHD often struggle in similar situations. Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are commonly co-occurring conditions with significantly elevated prevalence rates. ![]()
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