Adults with "mild" autism can have problems equal to those with severe autism (study)

http://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/news/2011/people-with-milder-forms-of-autism-struggle-as-adults

"Contrary to popular assumption, people diagnosed with so-called mild forms of autism don’t fare any better in life than those with severe forms of the disorder. That’s the conclusion of a new study that suggests that even individuals with normal intelligence and language abilities struggle to fit into society because of their social and communication problems."

"The implication of our findings is that the consequences of having an autism spectrum disorder with profound difficulties in communication skills and social impairment can’t be compensated for by either high intellectual level or normal language function,” says lead investigator Anne Myhre, associate professor of mental health and addiction at the University of Oslo in Norway."

Basically the article says that without support and interventions, outcomes are just as severe as if the individuals had more a more severe form of autism.  Intelligence means that people are often not given the support and this is the consequence.

Let that be a lesson to all local authorities, schools, CAMHS and central government.

Parents
  • Aspergers can never be mild!

    Some might say I have it 'mild', but that would just e based on the fact I can smile, look them in the eye, talk normally and maintain conversation. I rarely commit any major faux pas in public, and am very articulate.

    However, I am self-centred, extremely anxious, have no true friends, can struggle with certain changes to routine, and so on.

    I wish I did not have Aspergers, but I do, so I try and make the best out of a bad situation and maintain some persepective - this is very hard, though!

     

Reply
  • Aspergers can never be mild!

    Some might say I have it 'mild', but that would just e based on the fact I can smile, look them in the eye, talk normally and maintain conversation. I rarely commit any major faux pas in public, and am very articulate.

    However, I am self-centred, extremely anxious, have no true friends, can struggle with certain changes to routine, and so on.

    I wish I did not have Aspergers, but I do, so I try and make the best out of a bad situation and maintain some persepective - this is very hard, though!

     

Children
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