Businesswoman 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 conversation and couldn’t grasp why individuals bothered with tasks such as tidying the 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’ve also thought for a long time or suspected that they might fall within the autism spectrum.
“If your entire life feels like it’s been chaotic, with discomfort and struggle at every turn—where you merely survive rather than thrive—and you’re perpetually moving from one challenge to another, what do you really have to lose?” asked Nelson.
Typical indicators of autism encompass difficulties in social communication along with an intense focus on specific activities or subjects — as Nelson mentions, “individuals have turned into my special interest nowadays” — which might not be evident throughout 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 intellectual challenges, language barriers, and social hurdles such as adhering strictly to set routines, displaying fixated or repetitive hobbies, 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 that every child should undergo screening by 18 months old.
What reasons explain why an increasing number of adults are receiving diagnoses of autism?
In recent years, more adults have been seeking understanding about their own neurodivergence—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 strategies to conceal particular 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 assists autistic adults. “They might have figured out strategies such as ‘I cannot show this in public, so I do it privately.'”
There is also a similarity in symptomatology among different conditions as follows:
ADHD
and
OCD
This can make diagnosing autism challenging because of issues related to understanding nonverbal social signals or managing aspects such as focus, short-term memory, and solving problems.
What are the signs of autism in grown-ups?
Symptoms
Present themselves uniquely for each individual, and numerous characteristics are shared with those who do not have autism, such as appreciating routines or delving into extensive amounts of information.
However, for an individual to be diagnosed with autism according to the criteria, the symptoms should result in considerable functional challenges, noted 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 joy and comfort in them doesn’t imply you have autism,” Westover stated. “There’s more to it than that.
Russell Lehmann, who is 34 years old, has been living with an autism diagnosis for over two decades. As a motivational speaker, he maintains certain rituals which provide him solace but also cause anxiety. He finds ease in consuming the same meals and purchasing identical grocery items regularly. However, missing his daily one-and-a-half-hour workout at the gym leads to intense feelings of sadness and inadequacy for him.
It’s as though there’s neither a gym nor a specific day,” he remarked. “… My regimen feels like an immense existential weight, since each evening I retire with the knowledge that I must adhere to a routine I despise just to get by.
What is the process for getting a diagnosis?
Although numerous online screening instruments are available, autism is a multifaceted condition; therefore, specialists advise consulting your main healthcare provider for a referral to a psychiatrist.
The psychiatrist could seek to speak with individuals who were around during your early years, such as relatives and acquaintances, who may confirm signs of these issues appearing back then.
Certain psychiatrists might direct you to a psychologist, who could administer a recognized diagnostic test for autism or rely on their professional judgment. No brain imaging scans or blood tests currently exist for diagnosing autism.
Receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult may involve significant expenses and considerable delays. According to Westover, there’s a severe lack of professionals specializing in autistic adults. This scarcity led Nelson to wait for three years and spend over $3,000 from her own pocket before getting diagnosed.
Ence recommends posing several questions as you contemplate seeking a formal evaluation, acknowledging potential delays: “What factors are guiding me toward wanting an official diagnosis? Is accessing specific resources necessary for me? Are there particular support services unavailable to me?”
The Independent stands out as the globe’s premier source of unbiased reporting, offering worldwide news, insights, and evaluations tailored for those with an independent mindset. With a vast international audience comprising people who appreciate our reliable perspective and dedication to fostering constructive transformation, we continue to thrive. Today more than ever, fulfilling our objective of driving change forward remains crucial.
