Entrepreneur Natasha Nelson has always been aware that she stands out from the crowd.
The individual hailing from Stone Mountain, Georgia, who is 35 years old, faced challenges in setting social standards.
She struggled with casual conversations and couldn’t grasp why anyone would bother making their bed.
She was diagnosed with
autism
In 2023—shortly following her youngest daughter’s diagnosis.
Currently, Nelson is urging individuals to pursue assistance.
diagnosis
If they also believe, or have long suspected, that they might fall within the autism spectrum.
“If your entire life has seemed chaotic and you haven’t found comfort or thrived, feeling as though you’re merely enduring and moving from one situation to another, what do you have to lose?” Nelson asked.
Typical indicators of autism encompass difficulties in social communication along with an intense focus on specific habits or subjects — as Nelson mentions, “individuals have turned into my special interest nowadays” — and these might not be evident during one’s early years.
However, obtaining an autism diagnosis as an adult can be expensive and challenging because there is a scarcity of healthcare providers who specialize in working with grown-ups. Below is additional insight into what you ought to understand regarding diagnosing autism in adulthood.
What does autism entail and at what age is it typically identified?
Autism spectrum disorder
encompasses various cognitive, linguistic, and social challenges such as adhering strictly to routines, exhibiting fixated or repetitive interests, and finding it difficult to maintain eye contact or interpret non-verbal cues. This condition usually comes to light in early childhood, with the American Academy of Pediatrics advising screening for all kids starting at around 18 months old.
What could be the reasons for an increase in adult diagnoses of autism?
In recent years, more adults have been seeking understanding about their own neurodiversity—often following the diagnosis of their children or after encountering related content on social media platforms. According to a study released last year in JAMA Network Open, there was a significant surge of 452 percent in autism diagnoses for adults aged 26 to 34 between 2011 and 2022.
Certain characteristics of autism might not be recognized until later in life when individuals face additional social pressures. Some people could have acquired techniques to conceal specific actions, often referred to as masking.
“Over time, adults have developed ways to cope,” explained Whitney Ence, a psychologist at the University of California San Francisco who specializes in working with autistic adults. “They might have figured out things like ‘I cannot show this in public, so I do it privately.’”
There is also a similarity in symptoms among different conditions like
ADHD
and
OCD
This can make diagnosing autism challenging because of issues related to understanding nonverbal social signals or managing aspects such as attention span, working memory, and problem-solving skills.
What are the signs of autism in grown-ups?
Symptoms
Present uniquely for each individual, and numerous characteristics are shared with those who do not have autism, such as appreciating structured activities or delving deeply into detailed facts.
However, for an individual to be diagnosed with autism, their symptoms must lead to considerable functional challenges according to Dr. Arthur Westover, a psychiatrist specializing in autism at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
We’re all humans essentially. We enjoy routines… finding some enjoyment and feeling better through routines doesn’t necessarily imply you have autism,” Westover stated. “There’s more to it than that.
Russell Lehmann, who is 34 years old, has been living with his autism diagnosis for over two decades. As a motivational speaker, he maintains certain rituals which provide him solace but also induce stress at times. He finds ease in consuming the same meals and purchasing identical grocery items regularly. However, missing his daily one-and-a-half-hour workout session leads to overwhelming sensations of sadness and inadequacy.
It’s as though there’s no gym, no specific day,” he remarked. “… My regimen feels like a profound emotional weight, since each evening I lie down with the knowledge that I must follow a routine I despise just to get through the next day.
What is the process for getting a diagnosis?
Although numerous online screening instruments are available, autism is a multifaceted condition; thus, specialists suggest consulting your main healthcare provider for a referral to a psychiatrist.
The psychiatrist could potentially seek out individuals from your early upbringing, such as relatives and acquaintances, to discuss whether signs of this condition were evident back then.
Certain psychiatrists might direct you to a psychologist, who could administer a recognized diagnostic assessment for autism or rely on their professional judgment. No brain imaging scans or blood tests currently exist for diagnosing autism.
Receiving an autism diagnosis during adulthood may prove expensive and lengthy. According to Westover, there’s a significant lack of professionals specializing in care for autistic adults. For instance, Nelson waited three years for her diagnosis and incurred over $3,000 in personal expenses.
Ence recommends asking yourself several questions when contemplating seeking a professional evaluation, and being aware of potential waiting periods: “What factors are guiding me toward thinking about needing an official diagnosis? Is accessing specific services necessary for me? Are there particular resources unavailable to me?”
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