5 Signs Of Undiagnosed Autism In Adults

Have you ever felt different from others but couldn’t explain why? Studies show that up to 60% of people on the autism spectrum are undiagnosed, often leaving them without the understanding or support they need. This video explores five common signs of undiagnosed autism in adults, based on scientific research and personal experiences, to help shed light on this often-overlooked topic.

**What You’ll Learn in This Video:**
1️⃣ Feeling different or like the “odd one out” your whole life
2️⃣ Relating deeply to autistic people’s stories and struggles
3️⃣ Connecting with fictional characters who exhibit autistic traits
4️⃣ “Masking” or pretending to fit societal norms, often at great personal cost
5️⃣ Compulsively researching autism and seeing yourself in the findings

These signs can serve as a guide if you’re questioning whether you or someone you love might be autistic. Understanding autism is a step toward self-acceptance and finding the support you need.

**Important Note:**
This video is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. If you resonate with these signs, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional for proper assessment.

**Call to Action:**
If this video helped you, please like, share, and comment to help others find this resource. And don’t forget to subscribe for more insights into mental health and neurodiversity. Together, we can foster understanding and support for everyone on the autism spectrum. 💛

**References:**
- Scientific surveys and studies on autism in adults
- Insights from autistic individuals and professionals

Thank you for watching, and we hope this video helps you on your journey! 🌟

Writer: Brian Cham
Script Editor & Manager: Kelly Soong
Voice Over: Brandon
Animator: Krisha Que
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong

DISCLAIMER: This video was written by our autistic writer based on experience and research, and the VO simply read the script.

[KierenSummers]

Not diagnosed... But every video, audiobook, online test, and self reflection is a big yes. I'm becoming very aware of what drains me. It's like Pandora's box.. now I'm aware of masking and it's impact on me i can't ignore it anymore. Tentatively testing the idea with people gives very mixed results, from annoyance, disgust, to genuine curiosity and care. For now I'll keep exploring the idea, testing the boundaries to see if it's true for me under different circumstances.

[belle]

It is difficult for adult women to get ASD diagnosis due to how biased the DSM-5 criteria is in favoring male presentation of autism. Not accounting for how autism presents differently in females than males. Plus the huge cost to get a private assessment is out of reach if your an adult woman from a low income background. They need to change the DSM5 criteria and cost for assessment to make it more accessible for undiagnosed ASD females to get a diagnosis and supports needed to live a life in a world not built for our ND brains.

[CherbstaedtM]

I was just diagnosed with autism this past week. I’m 43… and it was such a relief! My life, my entire life, made so much sense!

[tokiimori]

The timing is perfect, I have suspected I may be on the spectrum but am undiagnosed, a lot of my autistic friends always ask and believe I am autistic as well but I can’t get a diagnosis because it’s too expensive :( thank you for this video it really resonated with me 💞

[xSayuriChan]

As a by now late diagnosed autistic woman I‘d put a heavy disclaimer on point number 3. I actually couldn’t relate to overly stereotypical male characters in fiction. For one key reason. Their emotional obliviousness to their surroundings. It‘s no secret that autism can present itself differently in females. For me personally it‘s different in that I‘m highly emotionally sensitive. I can feel emotions of different people (whether they‘re ND or not) before they often feel them themselves. I can feel the stress in the air when I walk into a room where people had just been fighting with each other. It overstimulates my senses and can cause a meltdown in the worst of cases. So the overly stereotypical depiction of autistic males who can‘t read the room as they say didn‘t apply to me at all and so I couldn‘t relate. But all the other key symptoms of a heavy need for routine and still a lot of trouble in social situations are the same. Because even though I can read emotions doesn‘t mean I know how to act on them especially if those emotions overwhelm me to a point where I can‘t think straight.

So don‘t be dissuaded from thinking you might be autistic if the key symptoms apply to you but you can‘t relate to the stereotypical depiction in fiction. Especially as a female.

I was lucky enough to find a specialist who is a late diagnosed autistic female themselves and therefore didn‘t dismiss me just because I described how my experience differs from the stereotypical autistic norm in some ways. She knew the troubles of being diagnosed and recognized as an autistic female from her own experience.

[yakuilts]

As a recently ADHD/AUTISM diagnosed 24 yo girl, I say, this is *ACURATE* especially the part where you mask it, mask it, and mask it some more, to the point where when I finally got my diagnostic last Thursday, I felt (somewhat) free, but I am still struggling to let my real traits come out, much because I still do not quite know which are them, and I spent so much time masking that now that I know I'm not crazy and am in fact right about being autistic and have ADHD, I still feel self-conscious, over analyzing everything (EVEN MY DIAGNOSIS) asking myself if it is really right, if I didn't do or say anything wrong... well, it is a struggle, all that on top of having to do a conscious effort to go about the simplest tasks of the day, such as doing the freaking dishes, I feel tired. Even more now, because I still feel like an imposter. It's crazy

[edwardnewgate]

"Well if you knew why didnt you tell me!?"

[Guppy_]

4:16 *Quickly clears out all my search history*

[NerdVsArtist]

I was (just about a month ago) officially diagnosed with ADHD and very mild autism. Before finally getting evaluated, I had been thinking that may have been the answer for me for a long time - I've gotten the confirmation from a professional, but with deniers in my family constantly pointing to evidence that I've been unconsciously masking my entire life to "fit in" it's sometimes helpful to watch videos like this to stop from gaslighting myself and not trusting the professionals. Receiving a diagnosis like this at 29 has been earth-shattering and clarifying all at the same time, but there are still seeds of doubt that I'm working to dispel.

[DanielleJohnson-obbh]

It’s all starting to make sense. I’m a 37 year old woman sobbing on my front porch, not because I’m sad at the realization my son just may be right, but because I feel like the puzzle is finally coming together. He’s been trying to gently tell me for at least a year but I was afraid to admit it. In my family, it’s not okay to be different. Being different gets you beaten to a pulp. “Beat the stupid out of you.” I was never stupid. I’m just different… I’ve said it my whole life and now I understand why.

[KayleeSantana-zw]

4:16 This is me right now in incognito mode on YouTube watching so many videos on autism because I am 99.9% sure that I have autism

All the symptoms and signs relate to me

I just know I have autism and know one cares

I need support cause it’s hard to be me and I just try to change myself so that nobody else thinks that I’m weird or whatever.

I don’t have a therapist, nobody talks to me about it, like my mom knows too and she DOESN’T EVEN CARE.

I’ve had signs since I was a baby and I just struggle with my life sometimes because I NEED to talk to someone about my problems and my feelings 😞

It’s just so hard when no one cares 💔

[rambo]

Yes, i'm autistic and this video was the tipping point.

[TheButterflyMage]

I got diagnosed at age 54. What a huge difference it makes to finally understand why I'm kinda different.

[haydenlee]

As a recently diagnosed adult, I confirm that I related to all 5 of these points

[raenandsunshine]

I always wondered if I was but never felt like researching it, this video made it easier to understand
I’ll probably ask my therapist about it because I always felt different and needed to be the one to “lead”

[davidperry]

I have high functioning autism. I have agoraphobia and get anxiety from certain loud noises including gas leaf blowers, gas lawn mowers, wood chippers, portable gas generators, loud diesel generators, loud metallic squeaks, microphone feedback, etc. loud music doesn’t bother me as long as there is enough bass, the speakers are smooth and clean sounding, and it’s at a venue where loud music is expected. I laugh at inappropriate times such as when my mom yells at me, and I much prefer hugs over handshakes.

[SamsarasArt]

I'm undiagnosed myself but I am almost certain I'm on the autism spectrum. From what I've studied, experienced, and discussed with many people, it would explain why I feel the way I do.

One one hand, I'd like to confirm this so there's no doubt but I don't want to risk losing my autonomy and independence.

[Pika]

I was lucky enough to be diagnosed autistic when I was 4 years old, but for all the late diagnosed and undiagnosed autistic people out there, I see you and feel you. It's really hard living in a world that isn't made for us...

[sneakysnake]

Boy, I wish this video were around 20 years ago before I was diagnosed. I’m glad it’s here now. I really hope it helps somebody.

[BrianCham]

Hi, this is the writer! I'm happy to see all the people touched by this episode in the comments. For those who are not sure if they are on the autism spectrum, I hope you discover more about yourself and a crowd that suits you.