Late Diagnosis – By Kisean Joseph
Late Diagnosis Autism Adulthood
For years, the assumption has been that autism is something identified in childhood — but a local specialist says thousands of adults are living with the condition without ever having received a diagnosis.
Dr Shivon Belle-Jarvis, speaking with Observer Media as part of Autism and Me — a series dedicated to deepening public understanding of autism and its everyday realities — said delayed recognition is far more common than many realize, and the consequences of going undiagnosed can quietly shape an entire lifetime.
She identified four key reasons autism is missed in childhood: limited awareness among families and doctors, outright denial, misdiagnosis — where autism is mistaken for another condition entirely — and masking, where individuals develop strategies to blend into social environments, effectively concealing their symptoms from those around them.
The medical practitioner (MD) said adults who frequently misread social cues, feel anxious in social settings or when routines change, avoid eye contact, struggle with sarcasm, prefer solitude, or find it difficult to maintain friendships should consider seeking a formal assessment. Heightened sensitivity to details, smells, or sounds that others barely notice, she added, may also be a telling sign.
For those who have spent decades without answers, she said a diagnosis still matters — perhaps now more than ever.
An appropriate diagnosis, the doctor explained, brings clarity to years of unexplained differences in communication and behaviour. It opens the door to personalized coping strategies in both personal life and the workplace and can meaningfully improve relationships on both fronts. Questions about identity that have lingered for years, she said, can finally be addressed.
There is no single test that confirms autism in adulthood. Dr Belle-Jarvis said a general practitioner, psychologist, and psychiatrist are all critical members of the diagnostic team. There is no blood test or physical examination involved — the process instead relies on a series of assessments that examine how a person thinks, processes, and responds, alongside several detailed questionnaires.
For those who have taken the step of receiving a diagnosis, Dr Belle-Jarvis offered practical guidance on moving forward — particularly in professional environments.
She said disclosing a diagnosis is entirely optional, but doing so creates an opportunity for colleagues to better understand and offer meaningful support. For those overstimulated by loud environments, she recommended requesting a quieter workspace or, where that is not possible, noise-canceling headphones — authorized in advance through open communication with management.
Alternative communication methods, such as text or messaging applications, are a valid option for those who find face-to-face interaction difficult. Employers should also be informed if structured routines are essential — advance notice of schedule changes, such as a fire drill, can prevent unnecessary distress. Clear, structured expectations, she noted, benefit every employee, not just those on the spectrum.
Dr Belle-Jarvis also encouraged autistic adults to invest in understanding their own condition — through reading, peer connection, and workplace training programs that embed inclusion as standard practice rather than afterthought.
Above all, she urged against masking or suppressing symptoms, warning that doing so consistently leads to anxiety, depression, and compounding stress.
“Autism is really just a different way of perceiving and experiencing the world,” the MD said. “Through early recognition and appropriate support, your opportunities will be endless.”
Self-acceptance, she said, is not the destination. It is the beginning.
