🌟 Understanding Late Diagnosed Autism in Teens & Adults: Why Support Matters

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is just that—a spectrum—and we’re learning more every day about how it shows up in real life. For years, most professionals only recognized autism when someone needed a moderate or high level of support. But things are shifting. More and more teens and adults are being diagnosed later in life with Level 1 autism—and realizing that what they always thought was anxiety, ADHD, or “just being different”… was actually autism all along. 🧩✨

Why Are We Missing Late Diagnosed Autism? 🤔

In the past, unless a child had clear developmental delays or very noticeable behaviors, autism often went undetected. In fact, many individuals with Level 1 Autism develop typically, or are even advanced, in areas during their early years— with advanced vocabularies, high reasoning abilities, and developmentally appropriate social responses. Autism, even Level 1, is present from birth, but parents often overlook the subtle signs and differences until later.

Often, it’s not until social norms or life demands outweigh the person’s ability to cope that we start to notice something’s different. For example:

• When relationships shift from being play-based to emotionally nuanced, an autistic teen may begin to struggle in ways that weren’t obvious before.

• A 7-year-old forgetting to brush their teeth might seem like a developmental blip—but when they’re 13 (or 17) and still can’t remember without prompting, we realize it’s not just forgetfulness… it’s a difference in executive functioning.

These subtle signs can add up, especially in adolescence or adulthood when the world expects more independence and flexibility. Even then, many people—especially those who could “mask” their struggles (females especially)—slip through the cracks. But now, thanks to better awareness (hello, TikTok and neurodivergent creators! 👋), more folks are recognizing the signs and getting answers they’ve been searching for.

So, What Is Level 1 Autism? 🧠

You may have heard the term Asperger’s in the past, which referred to people who were often described as quirky, socially awkward, or deeply focused on specific interests. That term has been retired (for a lot of good reasons), and we now understand that these traits are part of Level 1 Autism—a form of autism that doesn’t always stand out in early childhood.

Level 1 autism may include:

• 🌈 Sensory sensitivities (light, sound, textures—too much or not enough!)

• 🧠 Executive functioning differences (like memory, time management, concentration)

• 💬 Social communication challenges (missing social cues, talking too much or too little)

• 🎯 Special interests (collecting, researching, deep dives into niche topics)

• 🌀 Emotional regulation differences (big reactions—or very little)

• ⚙️ OCD-like tendencies

• 🤸‍♀️ Motor coordination quirks (clumsy? a little awkward? yep, that too!)

  
  

And here’s the thing: every autistic person is different. Some are super chatty, some are super quiet. Some are incredibly analytical, some are deeply creative. Some have an average IQ, others have a high or even very high IQ. Autism doesn’t look just one way—and that’s what makes it so complex and beautiful. 💫

The Problem: Services Are Rare for Older Kids & Adults 😬

By the time many people are diagnosed in their teens or adulthood, they’ve missed the ideal window for certain interventions like sensory integration, social coaching, or emotional regulation tools. And here’s the kicker—most services are designed for young kids. 😢

Let’s break it down:

• Occupational Therapy (OT) helps with sensory processing, executive functioning, motor coordination, and daily life skills. But most OTs only see children under 12.

• ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is another therapy, but it's typically geared toward younger kids with more support needs.

• Social skills groups and coaching? Also mainly for younger clients or those with more obvious challenges.

• Talk therapy can help with emotions, but it often isn’t designed for neurodivergent minds that need more structure or support in areas like reciprocity and executive function.

  
  

Finding these kinds of supports for teens and adults with Level 1 autism can feel like hunting for a unicorn. 🦄

What We’re Doing About It at Heartwood Counseling & Wellness 🌳

We see this need loud and clear. At Heartwood Counseling and Wellness, we’re making it a priority to support late diagnosed autism in individuals who’ve been overlooked for too long.

That’s why we’re thrilled to offer our 🤝 support group specifically for adults with Level 1 autism and 🧠 Autism testing for teens & adults.

We’ve invested in specialized training in neuropsychological assessments, poured resources into developing these services, and we’re on track to begin offering Autism testing in the Fall 2025. 🍁

Why It Matters ❤️

Everyone deserves to understand their brain and get the right kind of support. Whether you’re 15, 35, or 65, it’s never too late to get answers—and to find community. You’re not too old, too “high-functioning,” or too late.

At Heartwood, we’re here to help you feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive—on your terms. 🌟

Stay tuned for updates on our services—or reach out if you think a group or assessment might be right for you or someone you love. We’re excited to walk this journey with you. 💬💛