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Autistic adults

TheCatWoman

I've often wondered if being diagnosed later in life has any bearing on how we deal with being autistic? I mean we've had a life before diagnosis and I wonder how being diagnosed later in life affects how we see past struggles. Are we more likely to feel that we're somehow imposters as another poster commented?

I just tried looking for a list of symptoms and from what I could find there only seems to be very simple lists of common symptoms, like avoiding eye contact. I think there must be others, a much longer list that professionals refer to when making a diagnosis. I got a load of AI generated generic stuff when I searched, but that could well be due to my lack of computer skills. Can anyone find a fuller list and post it? I think it would be useful, especially the less common things like hyper-mobility and gut disorders, although gut disorders do seem to be quite common.

I thin it would be good and helpful especially for us latelings to be able to see what other symptoms there are, that aren't so common.

Parents

  • I’m only in my 20s but I personally think sometimes autism doesn't seem to be as obvious in some children compared to others. When I was little everyone suspected I was on the spectrum but not very high but I didn’t show anywhere near as many symptoms when I was little compared to when I was in my teens. My concerns with having the diagnosis regardless of age is that although you can get the help you need, you are also more vulnerable to bullying. My personal triggers seem to be stimuli related, so I can get irritated so much over certain sounds, textures, sights or I can even be triggered by my own mind. My problem is that it is just like impossible to calm down.

    Ok I didn’t have the diagnosis at the time but I was quieter and more different so schools were hell and my latest job I had to pull out of was due to being harassed and I personally feel this is because I was different and needed help and people took advantage. I just wish there was a cure/treatment for autism. Being diagnosed wasn’t a surprise for me but I’ve come to feel like I can’t do anything to get better now. I am seeing a dr next week to see if I can get another assessment somewhere but can’t see that happening.

    Sorry is this went a bit off topic 

Reply

  • I’m only in my 20s but I personally think sometimes autism doesn't seem to be as obvious in some children compared to others. When I was little everyone suspected I was on the spectrum but not very high but I didn’t show anywhere near as many symptoms when I was little compared to when I was in my teens. My concerns with having the diagnosis regardless of age is that although you can get the help you need, you are also more vulnerable to bullying. My personal triggers seem to be stimuli related, so I can get irritated so much over certain sounds, textures, sights or I can even be triggered by my own mind. My problem is that it is just like impossible to calm down.

    Ok I didn’t have the diagnosis at the time but I was quieter and more different so schools were hell and my latest job I had to pull out of was due to being harassed and I personally feel this is because I was different and needed help and people took advantage. I just wish there was a cure/treatment for autism. Being diagnosed wasn’t a surprise for me but I’ve come to feel like I can’t do anything to get better now. I am seeing a dr next week to see if I can get another assessment somewhere but can’t see that happening.

    Sorry is this went a bit off topic 

Children
  • in reply to Elfilis
    Elfilis said:
    My problem is that it is just like impossible to calm down.

    Yep. Me too. I think that sort of defines Autism right there. If you could calm down at will, you probably wouldn't be Autistic.

    My current goals are to train myself to better recognise what my stressors are and when I'm starting to go off the rails, educate my family to understand what is happening and why, seek support when that happens (e.g., step away from a situation and have someone take over), know when I need to run and hide away for minutes or hours to ease myself back from the brink (e.g., reading a book in a room by myself helps), organise or seek more accommodations in general (e.g., wearing N/C headphones in a supermarket seem to see me arrive at the checkout far more relaxed and able to deal with "space invaders" more calmly), and stuff like that.

    For all those negative emotions, though, I also experience positive emotions more intensely, so it's a kind of glass-half-full thing (I keep telling myself).

  • in reply to Elfilis

    Don’t apologize, it sounds like you need an outlet.

    Elfilis said:
    I just wish there was a cure/treatment for autism.

    That’s very sad to hear, as Autism is a core part of who were are. One example I can think of, though theoretical of course, is that if you were cured of your Autism, you might not find Nintendo very interesting any more. Yes, there are struggles that come along with it, but there are good parts about being Autistic.