Reviewed by the Paradigm Leadership Team
Are you familiar with the signs of autism in teens?
Autism can present differently at different stages of life. For many, the teen years are when the signs of the disorder become more recognizable, spurred on by the social and academic challenges of adolescence.
If you’re wondering if your teen may be autistic, looking at the distinct signs of autism in teenagers is a good place to start.
Table of Contents:
- 5 Common Signs of Autism in Teenagers
- Why the Signs of Teen Autism Often Get Missed
- Noticing the Signs of Autism in High School Teens?
- Teen Mental Health Treatment at Paradigm
5 Common Signs of Autism in Teenagers
Autism is a spectrum disorder, and symptoms often vary from one teen to another. That being said, there are some clear signs of autism in high school that, while not diagnostic on their own, can clue you in that something is going on.
1. Social Difficulties
Autistic teens often struggle with making or keeping friends, maintaining eye contact, and understanding sarcasm or tone in social settings. These difficulties may present differently between genders, since autistic teen girls are often better at masking their symptoms and mimicking the behaviors of their peers, thus seeming more at ease in social environments.
2. Repetitive Behaviors
Reliance on routines, repetitive movements, and/or intense focus on specific interests are tell-tale signs of teen autism. For example, you may notice that your teen hyperfixates on certain topics for days or weeks at a time, or that they’re highly resistant to even minor changes in their daily routines – both signs that autism may be at play.
3. Sensory Sensitivities
Autistic teens may have strong reactions to loud sounds, bright lights, or certain textures. These sensory sensitivities can present as hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness to sensory stimulation) or hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness), and can apply to things like food, clothing, and a teen’s general environment.
4. Emotional Regulation
Teens with autism tend to struggle quite a bit with emotional regulation, leading to symptoms such as sudden meltdowns, emotional shutdowns, or difficulties managing frustration. This is largely due to the way the autistic brain identifies and expresses emotion, which is different from the way this process functions in a neurotypical brain.
5. Communication Challenges
Many autistic teens have trouble effectively communicating and picking up on conversational cues and meanings. Some signs of autism in high school, then, may include an overly liberal interpretation of language, as well as difficulties starting or maintaining conversations with friends and teachers.
Why Some Signs of Teen Autism Go Overlooked
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be accurately diagnosed as early as two years of age. Yet many teens don’t get diagnosed until later in life, and may instead be misdiagnosed with another condition with overlapping symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Teen girls are particularly vulnerable to missed and misdiagnoses, and 80% won’t get properly diagnosed until after their 18th birthday. This is because girls usually learn to “mask” their autism symptoms better than boys in order to fit in. They’re also less likely to exhibit external behavioral challenges of autism, such as aggression and hyperactivity.
Noticing the Signs of Autism in High School Teens?
For many parents, noticing the signs of autism for the first time in high school comes with an initial rush of confusion and denial. After all, by the time your teen reaches high school, you should know if they’re on the spectrum, right?
Well, not always.
In adolescence, and especially in high school, previously subtle autism signs may become more pronounced due to increasing demands for independence, communication, and social navigation. A teen who was once able to swallow or hide their symptoms may no longer be capable of doing so. That’s actually a good thing, since now you can get your teen the help they need for a full and fulfilling life with autism.
Teen Mental Health Treatment at Paradigm
Paradigm Treatment provides comprehensive, individualized mental health care to adolescents, including those on the autism spectrum. This includes behavioral therapy, sensory accommodations, social skills training, and family support services, all led by a compassionate clinical team dedicated to helping your teen build confidence, coping skills, and stronger connections with others. Get in touch to learn more. The Paradigm leadership team consists of licensed therapists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, medical professionals, and seasoned program directors. With experience in family therapy, psychiatry, social work, nursing, and program management, they bring a depth of clinical knowledge to every aspect of care.
