The transitional years of a teen can be challenging thereby making it difficult for them to navigate life’s obstacles and dealing with autism can make matters worse. So, if you’re worried about your teen’s journey going through puberty, you are certainly not alone. Dealing with autism in teens can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. The disorder they’re having to deal with didn’t just appear; it has been present in subtle form for a while, but as the child gets older, some traits begin to manifest more and more. Recognizing the signs of autism in teens is crucial for early intervention and support. This article aims to explore the signs of autism in teens and provide guidance on what to do when these signs are observed.
At What Age Does Autism Appear?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically appears in early childhood, with signs and symptoms often becoming noticeable by the age of 2 or 3 years old. However, the diagnosis of autism in teenagers can vary depending on several factors, including the severity of symptoms, individual development, and the presence of co-occurring conditions.
For some teens, autism may have been diagnosed in early childhood, and they continue to receive support and services in their teenage years. In such cases, the signs and challenges associated with autism would have been present and recognized since childhood.
On the other hand, there are instances where autism may be diagnosed or identified for the first time during the teenage years. This can occur due to several reasons:
- Late recognition or diagnosis
- Regression or loss of skills
- Increased demands and expectations
- Co-occurring condition
Regardless of when autism is diagnosed, early identification and intervention are crucial for supporting teens with autism and helping them thrive. Parents, caregivers, educators, and healthcare providers play a key role in recognizing potential signs of autism in teenagers, seeking appropriate evaluations, accessing support services, and creating supportive environments that meet the individual needs of teens with autism.
With that said, what are the signs of autism in teens?
Signs of Autism in Teens
Identifying the signs of autism in your teen child can be challenging and tricky as we’ve previously pointed out, but not impossible. If you suspect autism in your teen, these are some of the signs the child may be displaying.
Social Communication Challenges:
- Difficulty understanding social cues like facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language.
- Struggles with initiating and maintaining conversations, especially in group settings.
- Limited eye contact or avoidance of eye contact during interactions.
Social Interaction Difficulties:
- Challenges in forming and maintaining friendships, feeling isolated or disconnected from peers.
- Difficulty interpreting social norms and rules, leading to social awkwardness or misunderstandings.
- Lack of interest in typical teenage social activities or events.
Repetitive Behaviors and Special Interests:
- Engaging in repetitive behaviors, such as hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning objects.
- Intense focus on specific topics or interests, often to the exclusion of other activities.
- Rigid adherence to routines and rituals, becoming upset or anxious if anyone or anything disrupts routines.
Sensory Sensitivities:
- Heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as lights, sounds, textures, or smells.
- Overwhelmed or distressed by sensory input, leading to meltdowns or withdrawal in certain environments.
- Seeking or avoiding specific sensory experiences for comfort or stimulation.
Communication Challenges:
- Delayed or atypical language development, difficulty expressing thoughts or emotions.
- Use of repetitive or scripted language, echolalia, or unusual speech patterns.
- Difficulty understanding non-literal language, jokes, metaphors, or abstract concepts.
Executive Functioning Difficulties:
- Challenges with organization, time management, planning, and prioritizing tasks.
- Difficulty with problem-solving, decision-making, and adapting to changes in routines or plans.
- Forgetfulness or disorganization in daily activities, schoolwork, or personal responsibilities.
How is Autism Diagnosed in Teens?
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in teenagers involves a comprehensive evaluation process that considers various factors related to social communication, behavior, sensory processing, and cognitive functioning. Here are the key steps and considerations in how autism is diagnosed in teens:
Initial Screening:
This diagnostic process often begins with an initial screening for autism during routine well-child visits or when concerns about developmental differences arise. During this screening process, pediatricians, primary care providers, or school professionals administer screening tools such as the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) or the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) to identify potential red flags for autism.
Comprehensive Assessment:
When concerns about autism are raised during screening or through parental/caregiver observations, a comprehensive evaluation can be conducted by a healthcare professional specializing in developmental disorders. These assessment teams may include pediatricians, child psychologists, psychiatrists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other specialists.
Diagnostic Criteria:
Diagnosis of autism is based on specific criteria outlined in diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) or the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision). The DSM-5 criteria for autism include deficits in social communication and interaction, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities.
Interviews and History-Taking:
During this process, a healthcare professional interviews the parents/caregivers and gathers a detailed developmental history of the teenager, including milestones, behaviors, social interactions, communication skills, sensory sensitivities, and any concerns or challenges observed over time.
Observations and Behavioral Assessments:
This step practically involves direct observations of the teenager in various settings (e.g., home, school, clinic) to assess social communication skills, interactions with peers and adults, play behaviors, repetitive behaviors, sensory responses, and adaptive functioning. They also conduct behavioral assessments that may include standardized tools such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) to gather information about specific autism-related behaviors and impairments.
Assessment of Co-Occurring Conditions:
In addition to evaluating for autism, a healthcare professional assesses for co-occurring conditions that may impact the teenager’s development and functioning, such as intellectual disabilities, ADHD, anxiety disorders, or sensory processing difficulties.
What to Do When Signs of Autism Are Observed:
From my opinion and experience as a therapist, I have observed that teens are frequently scared of opening up to their guardians or parents especially those who had an isolated upbringing. This makes it difficult to adequately diagnose and watch them in the case of autism. However, when you finally observe autism in your teen kid, what do you do?
Seek Professional Evaluation:
If you observe signs of autism in your teen, seek a thorough evaluation by a professional specializing in autism and developmental disorders. This may include pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists, or developmental specialists who can assess your teen’s behavior, communication, social skills, and cognitive functioning.
Early Intervention Services:
Early intervention is key to providing support and resources tailored to your teen’s needs. Access services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training, and behavioral interventions to address specific challenges.
Create a Supportive Environment:
Create a supportive and understanding environment at home and school that accommodates your teen’s unique strengths and challenges. Also, establish clear routines, provide visual supports, and offer opportunities for social interaction and skill-building..
Foster Independence and Self-Advocacy:
Encourage your teen’s independence and self-advocacy skills by teaching self-care routines, problem-solving strategies, and self-expression. Ensure to provide opportunities for your teen to explore interests, hobbies, and activities that promote their growth and self-confidence.
Connect with Support Networks:
Connecting with local autism support groups, organizations, and online communities for information, resources, and peer support and Networking with other parents, caregivers, and professionals to share experiences and strategies for supporting teens with autism will definitely help to take off the burden.
Gender Differences in Autism Diagnosis
One significant barrier to identifying autism in teenagers has been the recognition of gender differences. There is a gender difference in the awareness and diagnosis of autism because males have received diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder more frequently than females over the years. Researchers have found that girls with autism display distinct behavioral patterns and mild signs more frequently than guys. Also that females with autism may be able to disguise their conditions and adjust to societal norms, which makes it more difficult to recognize their challenges. Hence, female patients end up receiving inadequate or incorrect diagnoses, delaying the necessary care and intervention.
Can an autistic child speak normally?
A child with autism may or may not be able to communicate normally, depending on their unique strengths, difficulties, and functioning level. The neurodevelopmental illness known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is typified by a variety of social communication challenges, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivity. While some autistic children can communicate properly, others could have difficulties developing their speech and language. It differs greatly from person to person.
Does an Autistic Child Cry a Lot?
Some autistic children may cry frequently while others may not due to sensory sensitivities, communication challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, or environmental factors. However, not all autistic children cry excessively, as it depends on individual differences and coping mechanisms.
At What Age Do Most Autistic Children Talk?
Most autistic children begin to talk around the typical developmental milestones for language, which is usually around 12 to 18 months of age. However, there can be notable variability in the age at which autistic children start talking, and some may experience delays in speech and language development.
Conclusion
Remember that not all teenagers with autism will exhibit all of these signs and symptoms might vary in intensity. Recognizing the signs of autism in teens and taking proactive actions to meet their needs can have a substantial impact on their well-being, growth, and quality of life. You can help your teen thrive and reach their full potential by getting an expert evaluation, gaining access to early intervention services, creating a supportive atmosphere, educating and advocating, encouraging independence, and connecting with support networks.
