Why Pursue an Autism Diagnosis as an Adult?

Understanding yourself, strengthening relationships, and finding community at any age.

 

Recently, I was asked a question that has stayed with me: “I’m 42. I have a career, I’m married. Why do I need to know if I have autism?”

As adults, we often seek evaluations, attend appointments, or look for answers when something feels “wrong” or when we aren’t accomplishing the goals we’ve set for ourselves. So often, we feel that something needs to be broken before we seek answers from a medical or mental health professional. But what if seeking a diagnosis isn’t about fixing something? What if it’s about better understanding yourself, making sense of your experiences, and finding opportunities to enhance your quality of life?

For some adults, learning they are autistic can provide a new perspective on their lives, bringing understanding and even comfort to experiences they had as children or challenges they faced growing up. For others, it may offer valuable insight into relationships, communication styles, or everyday needs. And for some, discovering they are autistic creates an opportunity to embrace a more authentic version of themselves.

 

Autism Isn’t Just a Childhood Diagnosis

Although autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, it has historically been associated with childhood. As awareness and understanding of autism have expanded, increasing numbers of adults are being identified later in life.

A 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open examined autism diagnosis trends across the U.S. between 2011 and 2022. Researchers found that autism diagnosis rates increased by approximately 450% among adults ages 26 to 34. These increases reflect changes in identification and diagnosis, not evidence that autism suddenly developed in adulthood. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders estimated that 1 in 45 adults in the United States (approximately 2.2%) are autistic, (Dietz et al., 2020). These findings highlight an important reality: many autistic adults have navigated decades of life without fully understanding their neurodevelopmental differences.

 

How Does Autism Go Unrecognized for Decades?

Many autistic adults have spent years learning how to navigate a world that wasn’t designed with their needs in mind. They may have studied social interactions, rehearsed conversations, or forced eye contact. These strategies are examples of masking, also called camouflaging, which involves consciously or unconsciously hiding or compensating for autistic characteristics to meet social expectations.

For some autistic adults, social interactions can feel less like being themselves and more like playing a role or performing for an audience. Over time, the distinction between who they truly are and who they feel expected to be can become increasingly difficult to navigate or lead to feelings of burnout (Hull et al., 2017).

“For individuals who have spent years feeling different or misunderstood, connecting with other autistic adults can provide validation, shared understanding, and a sense of belonging. “

Another reason autism may go unrecognized in adulthood is diagnostic overshadowing. This occurs when an existing diagnosis becomes the explanation for all of an individual’s behaviors, traits, and challenges, without considering whether another diagnosis may also be present.

For example, an adult diagnosed with anxiety may have their social difficulties, need for predictability, or avoidance of crowded environments attributed entirely to anxiety. While anxiety may certainly contribute to these experiences, it may not explain the full picture.

This is particularly important because mental health conditions frequently co-occur with autism. A 2019 meta-analysis estimated that approximately 42% of autistic adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, and approximately 37% experience a depressive disorder (Hollocks et al., 2019).

These diagnoses aren’t necessarily incorrect but rather the concern arises when one diagnosis is used to explain every experience. That’s why evaluating autism in adulthood requires looking beyond existing diagnoses and understanding the lifelong patterns, experiences, and adaptations that have shaped an individual.

“Axis for Autism recently celebrated the opening of their Glendale clinic.”

 

So, What Are the Benefits of Knowing?

For some adults, receiving an autism diagnosis brings a sense of relief. Experiences that once felt confusing may begin to make more sense. Perhaps childhood friendships were difficult to navigate, social gatherings have always been exhausting, or unexpected changes in routine have consistently caused distress. A diagnosis does not erase those experiences, but it may change how someone understands them. Instead of interpreting lifelong differences as personal shortcomings, individuals may begin to understand their past through a different lens.

 

Strengthening Relationships

Autism can influence communication styles, sensory preferences, emotional expression, and approaches to conflict. These differences can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, particularly in romantic relationships. For example, when Partner A returns home from work, they need 30 minutes completely by themselves following an overstimulating day. However, Partner B interprets this as emotional withdrawal as Partner A does not greet them and ask about their day when they return home. Understanding autism can help couples move away from assumptions about one another’s intentions and toward clearer communication and mutual understanding.

 

Finding Supports That Actually Fit

A diagnosis can also help adults identify supports and accommodations that better align with their needs. Differences in communication styles, sensory preferences, or executive functioning needs can sometimes create challenges in the workplace or lead to misunderstandings with coworkers. An autism diagnosis can help individuals better understand these differences and identify workplace accommodations, such as quieter workspaces, written instructions, or flexible scheduling, that support their success. Beyond the workplace, understanding one’s diagnosis may also help guide mental health treatment, identify helpful strategies for daily living, supporting self-advocacy, and helping you to live a more authentic life.

 

Finding Your Community

One benefit of discovering you’re autistic in adulthood may be realizing that you’re not alone.

For individuals who have spent years feeling different or misunderstood, connecting with other autistic adults can provide validation, shared understanding, and a sense of belonging. Some adults find connection through autistic-led organizations, peer support groups, or online neurodivergent communities. Others build friendships around shared interests, hobbies, or activities where conversation and connection develop naturally.

But understanding yourself isn’t only valuable when something needs to change. Whether you’re 25, 45, or 65, it’s never too late to discover something new about yourself. An autism diagnosis will not change who you are, but it can open the door to greater self-understanding, meaningful connections, and a life that feels more authentically yours. Learn more at axisforautism.com

 

About the Author Dr. Emily Newton, PsyD, BCBA, serves as Vice President of Diagnostic Services at Axis for Autism, bringing more than 15 years of experience in the autism field. As a licensed clinical psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, she specializes in providing comprehensive, individualized autism evaluations grounded in neuro-affirming, family-centered care. Dr. Newton is passionate about recognizing each individual’s unique strengths while ensuring families feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout the diagnostic process. Her work focuses on improving access to timely, high-quality diagnostic services and helping individuals and families better understand their needs.