Awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has grown dramatically, which reflects an increase in autism tests and diagnoses — and in a greater understanding that, even late in life, an autism diagnosis can offer major benefits and relief.
Still, symptoms of autism are still frequently misdiagnosed as ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders, OCD, and other related conditions, leading to poor support and lifelong challenges.
As most research on autism has focused on young white boys, autistic women and individuals of color are more likely to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.12Autistic adults may exhibit differences in social communication and interactions, and many report that they mask these differences to blend in.
Repetitive patterns of behavior, obsessions (i.e., special interests), or activities are common. Insistence on routine and sameness is another typical manifestation of autism, along with sensory processing differences.