Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone,
I was hoping someone could give me some advice.
I've always been a little bit different, but was never given any kind of diagnosis from my GP except for anxiety and social anxiety.
A few days ago I took an online adult autism assessment after a friend advised me to. My results indicated a strong likelihood of adult autism. I took a different assessment on another site, and the results were the same.
I'm not sure I display many of the symptoms commonly associated with autism. My cousin has Asperger's and the impact it has on his life is certainly more serious.
I don't think I have any trouble reading people's facial expressions or emotions. I can socialise when I need to, but I don't enjoy it at all. I find it very overwhelming and tiring. I often drink very heavily in order to deal with important and difficult events.
However, my friends have pointed out certain behaviours that they say are indicative of adult autism. I'm 39 years old and still carry a stuffed toy monkey around, often sniffing it without realising. When I think of a good joke, catchphrase, or song, my wife and friends say that I will keep saying it over and over and over for weeks until I think of something new. Sometimes I'll just blurt out a loud catchphrase in front of my in-laws as if I'd temporarily forgotten that they were there.
The only person who seems to appreciate me making the same jokes, playing the same games, or repeating myself constantly is my 2-year-old son. He loves it and thinks I'm hilarious. My wife is typically less amused.
I have very deep interests in music and computer programming. If I get very involved with my coding, I'll often need to be reminded to shower and eat. I don't like to be interrupted as it throws me off completely. The sun will come up and I'll realise I've spent the whole night on the computer.
Should I go to see the doctor about my online assessment results? Does my behaviour sound like it could be a different condition? Just wondering if anyone else happens to do similar things or any childish things that other people seem to have grown out of.
Best,
Pablo
Pablo83 said:I don't think I have any trouble reading people's facial expressions or emotions. I can socialise when I need to, but I don't enjoy it at all. I find it very overwhelming and tiring. I often drink very heavily in order to deal with important and difficult events.
Autism is a 'spectrum' and no two autistics have exactly similar traits. I am extremely good at faces and I can draw and paint lifelike portraits of people. I have no problems recognising facial expressions and score well above the neurotypical average in the 'reading the mind in the eyes' test. I am a diagnosed autist, however. I can make small talk and socialise, and people who do not know me intimately would have no idea that I am autistic. The difference is that I socialise using my conscious intellect, whereas neurotypicals socialise mostly by instinct and it takes little or no effort on their part. Socialising, for me, and I think for you, is like being an actor; we have to remember our lines and stage directions all the time. I am good at socialising, I take pride in my abilities, but, like an actor doing a play matinee and evening performance on the same day, in the end I am exhausted.
It sounds very plausible to be autism. It's up to you if you want to seek diagnosis though. Probably a good idea to do some more research. Many of us have found that realising we are autistic has helped us understand ourselves and thus try and find ways to improve our lives.
do these factors cause problems in your life?