Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Teenagers 

Autism spectrum disorder or ASD is typically diagnosed when a child is between the ages of two and six. Some individuals, though, aren’t formally diagnosed until they’re older.  

Teenagers with ASD can be especially tricky to diagnose because they have some of the same mood swings and symptoms as those without ASD. However, teens with ASD struggle more with communication, relating to others and thinking flexibly than their peers, according to HelpGuide.org.

To understand what other behaviors tend to be common in teens with ASD, take a look at the list below:  

Difficulty with Social Interaction and Reasoning 

• Dominates the conversation by not letting others speak 
• Talks about things that only interest them 
• Doesn’t understand unwritten social rules or norms 
• Misinterprets conversations  
• Has trouble understanding facial expressions and body language

Sensory Processing Difficulties 

• Experiences sensory overload (e.g., overwhelmed by noise in the school cafeteria) 
• Inability to cope with crowds 
• Overly sensitive to touch 
• Struggles with planning and organizing their homework, school bag or day

Emotional Difficulties 

• Finds it more difficult than other teenagers to work out who they are and what their values are 
• Isolates themselves from peers or has no interest in their peers 
• Unable to control or recognize emotions 
• Can’t relate to their peers or understand how they fit in

Keep in mind that if your teenager shows any of the signs above, it doesn’t mean they have ASD. For example, an adolescent who is depressed may be cut off from his or her peers. Drug use also causes behaviors like the ones described here. And if your teen didn’t show these behaviors when they were younger, there is probably something else causing the behavior now. That’s why it’s important to talk with a professional who is experienced in diagnosing teens with ASD or finding out what else could be causing your teen’s unique behavior.