Adults do not develop autism. However, there are cases of people who are not diagnosed until they are an adult. An adult with mild autism who has received treatment for his or condition will often be able to function in the outside world.
The symptoms of an adult with mild autism who has received assistance for their disorder are similar to those of a child but they have usually developed ways of coming out of themselves and coping.
Signs of Adult Autism
* An adult with severe autism or one who has not had the benefit of treatment will often be unable to communicate in a manner that is necessary for holding a job.
* They may be unable to care for themselves.
* Often, an adult with autism - even mild autism, will be reclusive and remain disassociated from others.
* They are unable to comprehend the intricacies of social behavior and relating to others in an empathetic manner.
* They may be obsessed with one subject or object. They may constantly bring a conversation back to the subject of their interest repeatedly in inappropriate situations or stare for hours at clothes spinning in a dryer.
* If they are forced away from the schedule they set for themselves or are put in a social situation without preparation, they will often panic or become angry.
* What doesn't bother the average person may cause a great deal of anxiety in an adult with autistic spectrum disorder. It may something as simple as moving a picture from the place they have designated as its "place" or taking them to a different restaurant than the one to which they are accustomed.
It should be noted that there are cases of adults who have received intense therapies and social training later in life who have been rehabilitated to function in the world with some limited results.
Because autism is a broad spectrum disorder, the range and grade of symptoms vary from individual to individual. One cannot assume one person with autism is just like another. Asperger's Syndrome, for example, is an autistic disorder - although those with Asperger's have higher functioning than those we normally think of as "autistic". Many do attend school, hold jobs and are able to live on their own.
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