Autism: A Diagnosis in Adulthood

Autism: A Diagnosis in Adulthood

Receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult can have a positive impact on your life in several different ways. Though it may be an emotional process, the benefits to being diagnosed are worth it.

Learn from Dr. Victoria Hughes as she discusses the various benefits of getting an adult autism diagnosis.

In the UK, roughly 700,000 people, or 1 in 100 present with autism spectrum disorders.

Autism: A Diagnosis in Adulthood by The Retreat
Initial Release Date: May 15, 2015
Source: Youtube

What We Learned from this Video:

  • There are clear neurological differences between neurotypical people and autistic people.
  • According to DSM-5, people with autism have many issues in terms of social interaction, sensory overload and changing routines.
  • Intelligence can overshadow or mask autism, making it harder to detect during childhood.
  • When someone grows up and leaves home, autism may become more noticeable as they try to support themselves.
  • Our understanding of autism has increased since the adult generation’s childhood, meaning there may have been criteria and signs that were missed during childhood.
  • Females are very social at young ages compared to males, so they pick up the skills for masking much sooner and more easily. This makes autistic girls harder to identify, which may be the reason the confirmed autistic population is predominantly male.
  • The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has a set of guidelines and red flags that can help determine whether or not you have autism.
  • Getting an adult diagnosis can be a relief, as it explains certain behaviors and can clear up past misdiagnoses. It also opens up new kinds of support to you.
  • Getting a diagnosis can be a very emotional time for you. It is important to have post-diagnostic support to help you deal with these emotions.

Once you have received an autism diagnosis, you may experience many emotions and it may stir up more questions. Making sure you have a good support network in place is key, and learning self-care strategies is equally helpful and important. Schedule a consultation with your friends at Ability Life Solutions so that we can support you and help you find resources in your area.



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