For parents of teens, it’s important to know that the signs of autism in adolescent children can be different – and sometimes harder to spot – than in individuals of other ages.
Autism often becomes more noticeable during adolescence due to the new social, emotional, and academic challenges that teens are facing. It also becomes easier to hide, with many teens (and especially girls) actively masking their symptoms to fit in with peers.
At Paradigm, we’re dedicated to helping families identify the tell-tale signs of autism in the teenage years. Read on to learn about the most common signs of autism in teens, and get in touch if you would like to know about our residential programming for neurodiverse teens.
Autism in Adolescence and Adulthood: What’s the Difference?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that establishes itself early on, usually before birth. As such, an autistic adult was almost certainly an autistic adolescent too, though a good number of people don’t get diagnosed until later in life.
Because it’s a spectrum disorder, both the symptoms of autism in adolescence and adulthood and their severity vary from person to person. However, there are some clear contextual differences between the teen years and other stages of life that impact how symptoms present, particularly in terms of social and daily living challenges. This is why teen-targeted autism treatment is so essential, whether it’s working with a therapist who specializes in teens or enrolling a child in a residential teen autism program.
How Autism Affects Teens’ Daily Lives
Unlike adults, adolescents don’t have a lot of say over their day-to-day routines and responsibilities. This can be a huge challenge for autistic teens, with potential impacts that include:
- Social isolation
- Academic struggles
- Low self-esteem
- Extreme feelings of being overwhelmed or misunderstood
- Disregulated mood
Early recognition of autism in the adolescent years allows for tailored support and better mental health outcomes. And that requires that parents know the signs and symptoms of autism in adolescents, including those that often get written off as other mental or behavioral health issues.
Most Common Signs of Autism in Teens
Remember, autism is a spectrum disorder, so not all teens will present with the same symptoms at the same severity. That being said, there are common things you can look for as a parent.
A teen with autism may have:
- Difficulty reading social cues or engaging in group settings
- Strong preference for routines and resistance to change
- Intense interests in specific topics
- Sensory sensitivities (e.g., sound, light, textures)
- Challenges with emotional regulation or frequent shutdowns/meltdowns
- Trouble with back-and-forth conversations or eye contact
Sound familiar? These signs are often attributed to teen angst, shyness, hormonal changes, or general anxiety, but may actually be symptoms of autism. It’s important to have your child evaluated if you notice one or more of them, or if your teen has a symptom that is greatly interfering with their everyday ability to function.
Why Autism in Adolescents is Often Missed
It’s not always easy to diagnose autism in the teen years. Some teens mask or hide their symptoms to fit in, and many have their autistic traits mistaken for shyness or behavioral issues. This leads to a severe underdiagnosis of autistic teens, and girls in particular. In fact, 80% of autistic girls only receive a proper diagnosis after high school.
Despite these challenges, teens absolutely can, and should, be diagnosed if appropriate. This allows for an early intervention and can have a profound effect on long-term progress.
Getting an Autism Diagnosis and Support for Your Teen
If you are seeing the signs of autism in your adolescent child, a professional evaluation will provide you with much-needed clarity. It will also open the doors to autism resources for both your teen and you.
To begin the process, speak with your teen’s primary care physician. Many can perform a cursory evaluation to help you decide if a more specialized assessment is required. Diagnoses of autism are made based on current DSM-5 criteria, which cover things like communication deficits and trouble managing social relationships.
An autism diagnosis isn’t about giving your adolescent child a label: it’s about getting them the right help. Once you know what you’re working with, you can take steps to improve their confidence, coping skills, and emotional well-being, and that’s well worth scheduling an evaluation!
Summary + Available Programs
Common traits of autism in adolescence, like difficulties reading social cues or coping with changes to routine, are disruptive to teens and their development, and may go unnoticed or ignored. But, early intervention is key, and parents play a huge role in identifying these signs and pursuing the right course of action. Fortunately, there are a ton of resources available for autistic teens, as well as adolescent mental health programs designed just for teens on the spectrum.
Paradigm Treatment offers residential services that can help your teen manage the symptoms of autism and move toward a bright future. Explore our website or contact us to discuss programs and enrollment.
