Question if there such thing as late-onset ASD

Post Reply New Topic

Is there such thing as late age of onset, atypical symptomatology, or subthreshold symptomatology when it comes to ASD? Usually ASD are detected in early childhood, but can you develop traits of ASD late in life when social rules gets complicated?

For example, you have ASD, but it is so mild you don’t show symptoms of ASD until you turn 25 years old when social rules gets too complicated for you.

You might not show symptoms of ASD until your late 30s and be diagnosed at the age of 50 when you have mental health crisis from trying to follow social rules.

No. It wouldn't be late-onset, because by definition, ASD is present from birth or early childhood. True even if it does not meet diagnostic criteria. It's very common for diagnosis to occur in the early teens, when a child who could handle the social expectations in elementary school becomes more challenged in middle school. You're right, it can first come to clinical attention even in adulthood - but it was always there, just not noticed earlier.

Thank you! It makes sense.