Seeking an Adult Autism Diagnosis
A common topic in autism chatter of today is the “boom” in diagnoses, the refrain being that all of these people cannot actually be on the spectrum. The conversation is delicate because while there are a handful of explanations for this perceived rise in autism, not everyone who experiences difficulties in their social life is anything other than awkward. Not everyone who finds certain stimuli triggers their anxiety is living on the spectrum. It’s any wonder how many adults believe themselves to be autistic but aren’t, or are but have no idea.
While educators and parents of the modern day are better attuned to potential ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) markers among their children, their parents likely didn’t benefit from this same awareness. The question looms then, how can an adult autism diagnosis serve the individual if they’ve lived just fine to this point without one? Why seek confirmation in the first place?
Why Get an Autism Diagnosis?
The short answer is many adults are in fact not living just fine, and many grew up without any explanation for their differences among their peers. Autistic adults on the spectrum who came to their diagnosis after the age of 18 are nearly three times as likely than their neurotypical counterparts to experience mental health difficulties such as depression, behavioral problems, substance addiction, and psychiatric conditions. Researchers surmise earlier awareness of one’s autism leads to better treatment and a more strategic approach to learning and socialization, lending to greater self-acceptance and life skills as an adult.
A grown individual coming to this discovery not only can finally pinpoint the why of having felt othered for so long, but experience the relief of knowing this sense of being different has a name, and as people they aren’t broken. Further they can belatedly receive the positive impact of therapies and tactics to better move through the world, highlighting their strengths and working on weaknesses.
What Does an Adult Autism Diagnostic Test Entail?
If you or someone you love is questioning their neurotype, it might be a good idea to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional with specialization in learning and behavioral challenges. Your primary health provider or personal therapist will likely be able to refer you to a reputable analyst, from whom you can receive your official verdict. This will require a thorough interview, an observation of your behavior, social interactions, and any sort of tics and impulses often associated with ASD. A handful of testing methods are used worldwide, for instance the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ASD-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-G), among others, and your specialist should be able to share in advance which they will be employing to come to your personal result.
It is worth mentioning the multitude of online “quizzes” and surveys that purport to deem the participant autistic or not, some of which even dare charge a fee. While tempting, these websites should never be confused with the sort of critical analysis provided by an actual professional. One’s neurotype is far more nuanced and complex than any online questionnaire could decipher with any reliable accuracy.
Am I on the Spectrum?
Autism consists of a spectrum of symptoms, and a spectrum of severity. Some identifiers may apply to you, many may not. These markers can include but aren’t limited to:
Difficulty interpreting or anticipating feelings in other people
Social anxiety, to the point of avoiding social situations
Lack of close friendships with an emotional connection
Finding consistent isolation enjoyable and relaxing
Difficulty maintaining conversation, either with no natural flow, back-and-forth participation, or marked by dominating the talk without interruption
Inability to mirror appropriate emotions, for instance talking gently to a person in mourning, or fully expressing glee at a wedding
Repetitive or ritualized behavior, sometimes confused with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Compulsive physical tics
Unwillingness to detour from daily schedule or pre planned arrangements
Anxiety that sometimes leads to emotional meltdowns
Narrow range of interests, but with extreme focus and expertise, often to the point of obsession
Disinterest in group or team activity
Limited tolerance for excessive noise and disorder
Further complicating this list is the likelihood an adult with undiagnosed autism has developed skills to mimic “normal” social behaviors by observing others, to the extent of rehearsing greetings, gestures, expressions, turns of phrase, and conversation topics. While blending in can be an artform unto itself among adults on the spectrum, their authentic self is revealed in safe environments, for instance when they’re completely alone or in the presence of accepting family. Because specialists are often meeting a much more filtered version of an autistic child, adults can be evaluated differently, accounting for the natural tendencies they may have learned to mute along the way.
It’s important to note if you are reading the above list and identify with some of it, this is not a substitute for an official diagnosis. Most neurotypical adults can also point to traits on the list and see themselves. The ASD symptoms are merely a guidepost toward seeking professional intervention.
After an Autism Diagnosis
While an autism diagnosis can bring a blurry picture into focus for most adults, it can also be followed with grief for the many years spent with a degree of suffering. If they’d understood themselves better from a younger age, the tools provided by today’s educators and professionals might have led to more career and social opportunities, reduced anxiety and depression, and a healthier day-to-day life. Fortunately an official diagnosis can be couched easily with an ongoing therapy program to manage new feelings, exploit strengths, and maneuver around challenges once considered a major hindrance.
We can thank the advancement of the ASD community for the multitude of resources and tools now available, which were only in earlier development a generation or more ago. As a result the world benefits from greater acceptance and integration of autistic individuals, where their unique abilities can be celebrated. Receiving an adult autism diagnosis can be a welcome resolution to a lifelong puzzle, after which a new life can begin.