The rise of late autism diagnoses

Autism has long been associated with childhood diagnoses; but in recent years, more adults are recognizing their autistic traits. Increased awareness, changes in diagnostic criteria, and the rise of online communities have made it easier for adults who were previously overlooked to seek professional assessments.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you might be autistic, you’re not alone! Many adults—particularly those with less obvious presentations of autism—have been misdiagnosed or overlooked due to outdated stereotypes.

Why more adults are seeking an autism diagnosis

Adults seek autism diagnoses for various reasons. Some of the most common include:

Autism is now understood to present differently in adults, particularly in those who were overlooked in childhood. Greater awareness of how autism manifests in women, people of color, and those with high-masking traits has led to more diagnoses. The DSM-5 (2013) broadened autism criteria, removing Asperger’s syndrome and PDD-NOS, allowing more people to recognize their traits as autistic.

Many autistic adults spend years masking—imitating neurotypical behavior to fit in. Over time, masking leads to autistic burnout, characterized by chronic fatigue, emotional shutdown, and loss of coping skills. Many autistic individuals are misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or OCD because conventional treatments do not address underlying sensory sensitivities and executive functioning challenges.

Autistic adults may struggle with workplace communication, sensory overload, executive dysfunction, or rigid work structures. Many need accommodations, such as flexible work schedules, quiet work environments, or written instructions instead of verbal ones. Students in higher education often require formal documentation to receive academic accommodations.

Some adults recognize their own autistic traits after their child, sibling, or partner receives a diagnosis. Family patterns of neurodivergence become more apparent as awareness increases.

Many adults seek a diagnosis to validate lifelong struggles and reframe their experiences through a neurodivergent lens. A diagnosis helps with self-advocacy, relationships, and therapy tailored to autistic needs.

Understanding the autism diagnostic process in adulthood

A scoping review titled Diagnosis of Autism in Adulthood: A Scoping Review examined research on adult autism diagnosis and provided key insights into the process:^[1]Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (Huang et al., 2020)

The review highlighted variability in autism prevalence across different populations. Factors such as gender, age, and co-occurring conditions influence diagnosis rates. Notably, autism has been underdiagnosed in females, possibly due to differences in symptom presentation and societal expectations.

Adults seeking an autism diagnosis often encounter complex and inconsistent diagnostic pathways. Many struggle with long waitlists, limited access to specialized professionals, and a lack of standardized diagnostic tools designed for adults. As a result, many autistic adults spend years searching for answers before receiving a diagnosis.

One of the most striking findings from the review was how gender affects diagnoses. Females are frequently diagnosed later than males, largely because traditional diagnostic criteria were developed with a male-centric view of autism. Women and non-binary individuals often develop strong masking techniques, making their autistic traits less noticeable to clinicians who rely on outdated stereotypes.

Autistic adults exhibit a diverse range of personality traits and abilities. Some excel in areas of deep interest, demonstrating exceptional focus and expertise, while others struggle with executive functioning, sensory sensitivities, and social interactions. Understanding this diversity is key to providing effective support tailored to individual needs.

Co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are common in autistic adults. Many also experience physical health issues like gastrointestinal problems and sleep disturbances. The review emphasized the need for holistic healthcare approaches that address both mental and physical well-being in autistic individuals.

Receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood brings a wide range of emotional responses. For many, it provides relief and validation, explaining lifelong struggles and affirming their identity. Others experience frustration, realizing that earlier diagnosis could have provided access to support systems they never had. The review emphasized the importance of post-diagnostic care to help individuals process their diagnosis and adjust to a new understanding of themselves.

A diagnosis can be life-changing

For many adults, receiving an autism diagnosis is not just about a label—it’s about self-understanding. A diagnosis can provide:

• Clarity – Understanding lifelong struggles in a new light.
• Validation – Knowing that your experiences are real, not just “quirks” or “flaws.”
• Self-Acceptance – Embracing your neurodivergence rather than fighting against it.
• Access to Accommodations – Getting support for work, education, or daily life.
• Connection to the Autistic Community – Finding like-minded individuals who share similar experiences.

Understanding how autism manifests in adulthood can lead to self-acceptance, improved coping strategies, and access to accommodations that enhance quality of life.

Why more adults are seeking an autism diagnosis

Adults seek autism diagnoses for various reasons. Some of the most common include:

• Autism is now understood to present differently in adults, particularly in those who were overlooked in childhood.
• Greater awareness of how autism manifests in women, people of colour, and those with high-masking traits has led to more diagnoses.
• The DSM-5 (2013) broadened autism criteria, removing Asperger’s syndrome and PDD-NOS, allowing more people to recognize their traits as autistic.

• Many autistic adults spend years masking—imitating neurotypical behaviour to fit in.
• Over time, masking leads to autistic burnout, characterized by chronic fatigue, emotional shutdown, and loss of coping skills.
• Many autistic individuals are misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or OCD because conventional treatments do not address underlying sensory sensitivities and executive functioning challenges.

• Autistic adults may struggle with workplace communication, sensory overload, executive dysfunction, or rigid work structures.
• Many need accommodations, such as flexible work schedules, quiet work environments, or written instructions instead of verbal ones.
• Students in higher education often require formal documentation to receive academic accommodations.

• Some adults recognize their own autistic traits after their child, sibling, or partner receives a diagnosis.
• Family patterns of neurodivergence become more apparent as awareness increases.

• Many adults seek a diagnosis to validate lifelong struggles and reframe their experiences through a neurodivergent lens.
• A diagnosis helps with self-advocacy, relationships, and therapy tailored to autistic needs.

How common is late-diagnosed autism?

Despite autism rates being estimated at 2–2.5% globally, autism remains significantly underdiagnosed in adults. While 2.8% of 10- to 14-year-olds have an autism diagnosis, only 0.01% of adults are officially diagnosed. This gap does not mean fewer autistic adults exist—it reflects the challenges of late diagnosis, including a lack of trained clinicians, long waitlists, and outdated stereotypes.^[2]The osteogenic potential of ligament fibroblasts is greater in ankylosing spondylitis patients than in patients with osteoarthritis (Lai & Baron-Cohen, 2015)

One of the biggest barriers to adult autism diagnosis is the lack of clinicians trained to recognize autism in adults. Long waitlists for assessments and misunderstandings about how autism presents in different people have contributed to the underdiagnosis.^[3]The osteogenic potential of ligament fibroblasts is greater in ankylosing spondylitis patients than in patients with osteoarthritis (Lai & Baron-Cohen, 2015)

However, as awareness increases, more adults are recognizing their autistic traits and seeking clarity. Many find themselves on this journey after their own children receive a diagnosis, prompting self-reflection. Social media has also played a crucial role in educating people and fostering a sense of community, as individuals share their stories and experiences.^[4]‘Suddenly the first fifty years of my life made sense’: Experiences of older people with autism (Hickey et al., 2018)

A diagnosis can be life-changing

So what can an autism diagnosis offer? For many adults, receiving an autism diagnosis is not just about a label—it’s about self-understanding. A diagnosis can provide:

• 🔹 Clarity – Understanding lifelong struggles in a new light.
• 🔹 Validation – Knowing that your experiences are real, not just “quirks” or “flaws.”
• 🔹 Self-acceptance – Embracing your neurodivergence rather than fighting against it.
• 🔹 Access to accommodations – Getting support for work, education, or daily life.
• 🔹 Connection to the autistic community – Finding like-minded individuals who share similar experiences.

Final thoughts: A path toward self-understanding

A thorough and affirming autism assessment should feel like a validating and insightful experience rather than a rigid diagnostic test. Many adults experience relief and self-acceptance after receiving a diagnosis, as it helps them:

• 🔹Understand why they’ve always felt different
• 🔹Reframe past struggles as neurodivergence, not personal failure
• 🔹Access accommodations and support for work, school, and relationships
• 🔹Connect with the autistic community in ways they never could before

Whether you’re seeking a formal diagnosis for self-understanding, workplace accommodations, or personal validation, an autism assessment can be an empowering step toward self-acceptance and self-advocacy.

Curious if you might be autistic? Next steps

If you relate to this post and are curious about whether you might be autistic, consider taking a self-assessment. Our website offers free online tools designed for self-identification and clinician use. Reading blogs, watching videos, and connecting with the autistic community can also provide valuable insight.

Finding a qualified professional who specializes in adult autism assessments is key. Many adults go through multiple assessments before receiving an accurate diagnosis, so it’s crucial to work with experienced clinicians.

An autism diagnosis isn’t about labelling yourself—it’s about understanding yourself. If this resonates with you, exploring an assessment could be the first step in a transformative journey toward self-awareness and support.

If you are looking for an autism/AuDHD assessment,
Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht ND RP can offer help!
You can find more information here:

Autism/AuDHD assessments