Autism in Adults: Should We Look for the Signs?

A few weeks back, I stumbled upon a video on TikTok that made me pause and reflect. In the video, a woman shared how she discovered after four years of marriage that her husband is autistic. She had noticed certain “quirks” and behaviors that didn’t quite make sense to her, so she encouraged him to get tested. The diagnosis confirmed it: he is autistic.

What struck me most was how she described the discovery. Suddenly, all the “weird things” her husband did had an explanation. She wasn’t left guessing anymore. More importantly, knowing about his autism allowed her to navigate their relationship with more understanding and patience.

That got me thinking. Over the years, people have told me things about how I act, sometimes detached, sometimes clumsy, sometimes just… different. I never thought too much about it. I brushed it off as “just me being me.” But after watching that video, a question crossed my mind: what if it’s something more?

Wouldn’t it be better to know? If I am autistic, maybe that knowledge could help me understand myself better and navigate my own life with more clarity. It could mean fewer question marks, less self-blame, and more self-compassion.

But here’s the part that makes me wonder: can an autistic person even have this kind of consciousness? Would someone on the spectrum think to themselves, “Maybe I’m autistic?” Or is that self-reflection itself proof that I’m not?

The truth is, autism isn’t always what we think it is. Many adults go undiagnosed because autism often presents differently in adulthood compared to childhood. Symptoms can be subtle, masked, or misunderstood as personality quirks. Things like difficulty with social cues, sensory sensitivities, or needing routines might just feel like “habits” until someone connects the dots.

So, should we get it checked if we see the signs? Personally, I think there’s no harm. At best, you gain clarity and resources to help you live better. At worst, you walk away knowing more about yourself, even if the diagnosis isn’t autism.

For me, I don’t have a definite answer yet, but I’m open to finding out. And maybe that openness itself is the start of understanding.