In India, a quiet but powerful change is taking place. More adults, including working professionals, parents, and even senior citizens, are being diagnosed with autism for the first time.
For many of them, the diagnosis brings clarity to years of feeling “different,” misunderstood, or out of place.
These are people who are often described as shy, overly sensitive, rigid, awkward in social settings, or too focused on specific interests.
For decades, they may have struggled silently, blaming themselves for not fitting in. Now, with better awareness and improved diagnostic systems, many are finally getting answers.
According to Chanchal Agrawal, Founder and Clinical Director of Walnut Clinic in Pune, autism does not begin in adulthood. It is present from birth.
The reason more adults are being diagnosed today is not that autism is increasing among grown-ups it is because understanding of autism has evolved.
CHANGING DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
One of the biggest reasons behind late diagnoses is the change in how autism is defined and identified.
Earlier, diagnostic systems mainly focused on children with noticeable speech delays or learning difficulties. People who had average or above-average intelligence and did well academically were often not considered for evaluation.
As a result, many adults today grew up in a time when autism was narrowly understood.
The signs were there, but they were misunderstood. Behaviours such as difficulty with eye contact, discomfort in social situations, strong need for routine, or deep focus on specific topics were seen as personality traits rather than features of autism.
Today, mental health professionals have a broader and more accurate understanding of the autism spectrum. This allows them to recognise patterns that were earlier overlooked.
THE ROLE OF MASKING AND CAMOUFLAGING
Another important reason for late diagnosis is something called masking or camouflaging.
Many autistic individuals, especially those who are high-functioning, learn to copy social behaviours. They may rehearse conversations, observe how others react, and consciously imitate expressions or body language.
This helps them blend in at school, at work, or in social gatherings.
However, masking comes at a cost. Constantly pretending to be “normal” can lead to emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout.
Over time, the mental strain may become overwhelming. It is often during periods of stress that adults decide to seek professional help, eventually leading to a diagnosis.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN AUTISM
Gender plays a major role in delayed diagnosis.
For many years, autism research was largely based on how it appeared in boys. Girls and women often show different patterns. They may have strong language skills and appear socially comfortable on the surface.
They may also be better at masking their difficulties.
Because of this, many females remain undiagnosed in childhood. Their struggles may be internal, such as anxiety, sensory sensitivity, or feeling socially drained, rather than visibly disruptive behaviours.
Only later in life, sometimes after their own child is diagnosed, do they begin to recognise similar traits in themselves.
LIFE TRANSITIONS AS TURNING POINTS
Major life changes can bring hidden challenges to the surface.
Starting a demanding job, entering a long-term relationship, moving to a new city, or becoming a parent can increase responsibilities and stress levels.
Coping strategies that worked during structured childhood years may no longer be enough.
Adults may start noticing sensory sensitivities, difficulty managing time, social fatigue, or problems with organisation and planning.
These challenges often push individuals to look for professional guidance, leading to assessment and diagnosis.
WHY A LATE DIAGNOSIS CAN BE EMPOWERING
Although discovering autism later in life can feel surprising, many people describe it as life-changing positively.
A diagnosis helps reframe experiences.
Years of self-doubt, guilt, or feeling “not good enough” can be replaced with understanding and self-acceptance. It allows individuals to seek the right support, make workplace adjustments, and advocate for their needs.
Chanchal Agrawal emphasises that a late diagnosis is not a missed opportunity. Instead, it marks the beginning of a more informed and compassionate chapter of life.
As awareness grows across India, more adults are finding answers that were once out of reach. Autism was always there, society is only now learning how to recognise it better.
