Autism in Teens & Young Adults

A lot of autistic young people get through childhood without a diagnosis. They're bright, they follow the rules, and they work very hard to fit in. Then middle school, high school or college raises the social stakes, and the effort stops being sustainable.

Masking

Masking, or camouflaging, means hiding autistic traits to fit in: copying other people's expressions and phrases, rehearsing conversations, forcing eye contact, holding it together all day and falling apart at home. It's common in girls and young women, which is one reason they're often diagnosed later than boys. Masking takes a lot of energy, and over time it is often linked to exhaustion, anxiety and low mood.

What Parents of Teens Often Notice

• Long recovery time alone after school or social events
• Very few friends, or friendships that fall apart without clear reasons
• Intense interests that take up most of their time
• Distress at changes in plans or routines
• Sensitivity to noise, crowds, clothing or food textures
• Anxiety or depression that treatment hasn't fully helped
• Strong grades alongside trouble with group work or open-ended assignments

Autism, Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are common in autistic teens. Sometimes they're the reason a family seeks help, and the autism underneath is missed. Treating the anxiety without understanding the autism can leave a teen in therapy that doesn't quite fit. The evaluation looks at mood and anxiety alongside autism features so both are addressed.

Talking With Your Teen About an Evaluation

Teens do best when they understand why the evaluation is happening and have a say. It can help to frame it as finding out how their brain works and what would make school and life easier, not as looking for something wrong. Teens and young adults usually take part in the feedback session, because the results are about them.

Looking Ahead: College and Independence

For older teens, the evaluation can support high school IEP transition planning and college accommodation requests. In college, students register with the disability services office themselves, and colleges generally want recent documentation. Reports also address practical skills like planning, organization and managing unstructured time, which often matter as much as academics.

Common Questions

Is it worth getting a diagnosis as a teenager?

For many teens it is. A diagnosis can explain years of feeling different, open the door to school and college accommodations, and point to the kind of therapy that fits. It's a decision to make together with your teen.

Can young adults be evaluated?

Yes. Dr. Tutty evaluates young adults up to age 22, including college students.

Do you offer counseling for autistic teens?

Counseling for teens, including teens with social and emotional challenges related to autism, is offered on a case-by-case basis.