Imagine navigating life’s big milestones—college, new relationships, career aspirations—while grappling with a condition that is impacting your quality of life and has gone unrecognized for years. For many young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this is and has been their reality. In the United States, over 5 million individuals live with ASD and although the average age for first intervention is between 4 and 5 years of age, many individuals, especially those with Type 1 ASD, have had their symptoms overlooked and misunderstood until much later. It’s only when they struggle to meet new demands later during emerging adulthood that the pieces may begin to fit together.
Adding to the challenge, autism presents itself uniquely in each individual, and not all symptoms need to be present for it to profoundly affect their lives. By adulthood, many individuals have adapted to their symptoms, which can complicate the diagnostic process. However, even if autism has gone undetected for years, receiving an accurate diagnosis can be empowering and validating. It opens doors to crucial services and support that can greatly enhance quality of life.
In this article, we spoke with Maddox Emerick, LMSW, Lead Senior Therapist at The Dorm to learn more about the signs of autism in young adults and the effective treatment options available to help young adults with ASD thrive.
What are the signs of autism in young adults?
Young adults who meet the criteria for ASD begin to exhibit symptoms as the demands of life during adolescence exceed their capacity to manage them, even if they were able to keep up with such demands as a child. This time in life is often accompanied by new situations that require growth and development, and struggling to meet these new challenges can potentially point to an ASD diagnosis.
At The Dorm, if there is ever a question about diagnosis or unexplained symptomatology, we always recommend that an individual undergo comprehensive and data-driven neuropsychological testing and assessment. ASD is not a monolith and there can be countless reasons why a young adult may struggle to succeed in college, as an example, or experience relational issues amongst peers, or have difficulty managing fluxes and changes in one’s schedule.
With this in mind, here are five common signs that may point to an ASD diagnosis:
1. The inability to connect with others
Impairments of social skills is a well-researched aspect of ASD. Someone with autism may experience challenges with social norms, verbal and non-verbal communication, and emotional cues. They may even avoid seeking social relationships.
2. Hyperfixation on certain areas of interest/topics and passions
An interest in a particular topic may become a fixation that prevents the ability to relate to others. These special interests can be considered intense or extreme, potentially leading the individual with ASD to overshare and have trouble connecting with others. For example, a college student might be deeply passionate about a specific video game, discussing it at length and in great detail with everyone they meet. This intense focus can make it challenging for them to relate with peers who don’t share the same enthusiasm, potentially leading to social isolation or difficulty forming diverse relationships.
3. Difficulty attuning to interpersonal situations
Social attunement refers to the ability to pay attention to and intentionally engage with others during interactions. In individuals with ASD, difficulties in social attunement can manifest as atypical patterns in timing their responses. For example, someone with ASD might respond too quickly or too slowly in a conversation, making it challenging to maintain a natural flow of communication.
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4. Impaired emotional reciprocity within interpersonal communications
Individuals with autism may struggle with emotional reciprocity, or the ability to give back the amount of social energy we might receive from others, such as being unable to carry a back-and-forth conversation, often providing short or unrelated responses instead of building on what the other person said. Another example is difficulty showing empathy; they might not offer comfort or share excitement in the same way others do.
5. Repetitive routines (stimming)
Many individuals with ASD experience repetitive behaviors, or stimming, which can be to their detriment. Examples include flapping hand movements, rocking of the body, spinning in circles or pacing, repeating the same word or phrase, repeatedly switching a light switch on and off or spinning/twirling objects, etc.
At The Dorm, we utilize an integrative and individualized community model to treat young adults with ASD.
Given the diversity in ASD symptoms and the ability to perform daily tasks and responsibilities, an individualized and integrative approach is essential for effective treatment – including one that focuses on improving aspects of socialization. Our clients report 138% improvement in well-being as a result of our care and 32% improvement in feelings of acceptance by their peers. Here, we outline components of The Dorm’s programming that supports these outcomes.
Social Skills Group Programming
Groups such as executive function, social skills, and artful communication target interpersonal functioning by creating a peer-to-peer environment for learning about how to successfully and confidently interact with others. These groups teach a range of skills, from how to build rapport and friendship with peers to being able to order a cup of tea out at a cafe.
RO-DBT
RO-DBT is a practical skills group built on developing greater flexibility and openness, which can be very helpful for those with ASD. It specifically relates to cognitive rigidity, which can prevent adaptability to new learnings and demands.
Do you have differences in social communication, sensory sensitivity, preference for routine, or feeling out of sync with peers, these may be signs of autism spectrum traits.
The Parallel Process of Group Therapy and Social Functioning
Skills-based groups are a helpful social intervention for clients with autism. However, the group therapy experience itself is transformative. Interacting with peers and the facilitator in group therapy provides a social experience that translates to real-life interactions, whether in the classroom, at a job, or with loved ones.
In group therapy, individuals practice interpersonal skills in real time. These skills include:
- Not oversharing
- Respecting others’ boundaries
- Relating to others
Group therapy allows clients with ASD to strengthen their socialization abilities and apply these skills in everyday life.
The Community Clubhouse Experience
Many clients come to The Dorm with the goal of making friends, joining events, and taking part in group activities and initiatives that are supported by clinical staff alongside treatment. The Clubhouse community space gives them an opportunity to build social connections with support and guidance that later translates to experiences outside of the treatment setting.
Integrative Family Therapy and Involvement in Treatment
At The Dorm, we require family involvement to ensure that clients have wrap-around support that leads to lasting change. A good relationship with the parents/core family members is an important factor to understanding family dynamics and communication style. It also allows the treatment team to learn important information about the client that may be pertinent for helping them achieve their goals.
Emphasis on Therapeutic Rapport and Alliance
No matter the treatment format, clinicians working with young adults with ASD need to focus on building a therapeutic alliance and instilling confidence and trust while tailoring treatment modalities to their unique needs. This personalized approach significantly enhances the effectiveness and success of treatment long term.
Whether a young adult was diagnosed with ASD as a child or in their emerging adult years, proper assessment and early, effective treatment interventions can make all the difference in helping them feel supported, empowered, and able to thrive as their authentic selves. At The Dorm, our approach is to help each young person with ASD focus on and develop their unique strengths, pursue personal goals, and, most of all, build a meaningful, purposeful life.
Maddox thank you both for your insights and valuable contributions!
At The Dorm, we are always available to answer any questions you may have. Please reach out to us today to learn more about our services pertaining to autism spectrum disorder in young adults.
