Managing work and relationships as an adult with autism

Imagine being so shaken up by a detour sign on your regular route to work that you had to pull over to fight against a panic attack. Or imagine not recognizing when someone was sarcastic with you or flirting with you.

These can be common experiences for people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder — a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with sensory sensitivities, social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.

The number of adults who identify as autistic is growing, along with awareness. It now affects just over 2 percent of adults in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control.

MPR News host Angela Davis revisits a conversation from earlier this year about what it’s like for adults on the autism spectrum to navigate work, relationships and other experiences of adulthood.