5 Autism Signs in Babies that get Transformed in Adolescence

Even in the best of circumstances, teenage years can be difficult. The importance of "fitting in" can drastically increase, and it can be challenging to navigate the complexities of social networking! It can be a trying time when you take into account all the hormones, rapid growth, and greater academic responsibilities. Adolescence can be an especially difficult time for a teen who may have an autism spectrum disorder.

They may feel alone and bewildered if they have not yet received a diagnosis and are unaware that the way they perceive the world may be a sign that they are on the autism spectrum. Parents may discover their kid is abruptly retreating, snappish, easily upset, worried, or confused.

Many kids are receiving diagnoses while they are infants or toddlers due to early diagnosis and rising public awareness of autism spectrum disorder. Many parents don't anticipate having to look for indicators as their child gets older because autism is often diagnosed in early childhood. However, it's possible for autism to go undetected or for the signs of autism to fade away until your child is a teenager and starts to exhibit some observable symptoms as well as learning issues. Here are five signs of autism in adolescence:

1. Less metaphorical interpretations
   Adults and teenagers with autism spectrum disorders are known to have difficulty understanding metaphorical speech, also known as "urban slang." They have a tendency to take words literally. Therefore, keep an eye out if your autistic adolescent has trouble comprehending sarcasm or idioms. This might be because those who prefer organization and "accuracy" have communication problems.
2. Leaving out of social situations
   The capacity to read someone's gestures and feelings is one of the challenges that persons with autism may struggle to overcome. They could find it challenging to blend in or adapt to what is reasonable for their age because of this. As a result, they may frequently avoid interacting with students their age out of concern for bullying or mockery. Teenagers may retreat from their classmates for a number of reasons, but avoiding social connection is something that needs to be investigated.
3. Having issues with the curriculum in school
   The difficulty of the curriculum tends to increase as students approach high school. The more challenging the curriculum, the more learning difficulties teens with autism may start to display. But teenagers with higher functioning autism frequently have IQs that range from ordinary to above average.
4. Displaying indications of mental illness
   The prevalence of other psychiatric problems is higher in those with an autism spectrum disorder. Anxiety, ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, and learning disorders are some of the most typical psychiatric conditions linked to autism. Anxiety disorders can be particularly problematic for teenagers with autism, especially in social situations.
5. Having trouble following complicated  instructions
   ADHD or ADD may be present in teenagers with an autism spectrum disorder. They could struggle to concentrate through prolonged or more complex instructions. Attention can typically be maintained for two-step instructions. But anything more could make them disengage or switch to another activity.

Why are the autism symptoms in my teen growing worse?

Due to all the changes that occur throughout this stage of life, ASD symptoms may appear more severe during the teenage years. Adolescence is a time of many changes, and people with ASD typically struggle with them. Autism cannot appear anywhere in teenagers. The ASD characteristics in your kid would have been visible since childhood. 

It's likely not autism if your teen starts to withdraw socially and becomes preoccupied with repeated habits during puberty. The likelihood of anything else occurring is higher. If you have questions, speak with your doctor.

The Bottom Line

Even while individuals with autism spectrum conditions may fit comparable diagnostic criteria, how their symptoms manifest in day-to-day living might vary greatly. You're not the only one who worries about your autistic teen's passage through puberty and into adulthood. Innumerable parents are concerned about their kids with ASD as they become more independent and face greater social pressure.

Teens with autism may benefit from life skills that you may teach them at home, school counseling, and classroom modifications, among other things. If your kid has already been diagnosed with autism, find out more about ways to assist them to get ready for adolescence and become familiar with the signs and symptoms of autism in teenagers who you think would benefit from a diagnosis.

Teens with autism have special skills and very particular difficulties interpreting the outside world. If your teen struggles with social skills, and sensory processing, when it pertains to routines, an assessment for autism spectrum disorder may be helpful.