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Could this be autism? (Adult)

Calobo

Hi, I hope this is the right board to post this on.

I am getting very worried about my brother, I'm wondering if he has autism that has just never been diagnosed.

Since he was a little boy he has shown autistic traits. He would never mix foods, had to organise everything his way etc and he would have major meltdowns if anything wasn't how he needed it to be.

He has always struggled with friendship groups and throughout school was labeled as the naughty kid. I feel that had he had a diagnosis of autism at a young age he could have avoided this all together. He was very hot headed, he would flip in seconds and become violant.

As teenager he got involved with canabis, and a around 17/18 he split with his only ever serious girlfriend. He handled it badly, and she kept him stringing along for months.

Since then he has become practically a recluse. For the last 9 or so years he barely leaves his room, he doesnt wash himself and he barely talkes to anybody. If he does talk to close family it is a very difficult coversation.

He goes through phases where he will venture out and claim JSA or get a job, but within a month he will go back to being a recluse and live in his bedroom again.

He has changed from being very hot headed to just accepting everything and become a very placid person, almost emotionless and as though he cares about nothing.

If my parents force him to he will help around the house, and occasionally helps other close relatives who live near by, but after a few months of this he will go back into his room full time again.

I know that there is nothing I can do to help him as he won't accept help, I just want to be able to try anything I can in case I can find someway, any way, of making his life more bareable. Any advice would be brilliant, even if just to say this doesnt sound like autism.

Parents

  • I think there's a myth that, because of fear of change, and rigour of thought, people on the spectrum might avoid getting involved in drugs, but the reality seems to be the opposite. I was surprised to find how many alcoholics might be on the spectrum, but only recently found out that there are high numbers who've experimented adversely with drugs. 

    This might be a quest for social acceptance, if those likely to befriend are themselves into drugs.

    Also there are lots of other reasons why someone might retreat into solitude, not wash etc., both pyschological and as a consequence of drugs or alcohol.

    But I'm also aware that a crisis can trigger dramatic changes for someone on the spectrum.

    So I guess what I'm saying is you are right to be concerned about your brother, and maybe this needs a follow up. On the other hand an autistic spectrum diagnosis is not a way out, and still has a lot of stigma attached, and despite the Autism Act, little progress on any real help. So adding autism to your brother's disadvantages may not be the answer.

    So be cautious and open to other possibilities. Hope this helps.

Reply

  • I think there's a myth that, because of fear of change, and rigour of thought, people on the spectrum might avoid getting involved in drugs, but the reality seems to be the opposite. I was surprised to find how many alcoholics might be on the spectrum, but only recently found out that there are high numbers who've experimented adversely with drugs. 

    This might be a quest for social acceptance, if those likely to befriend are themselves into drugs.

    Also there are lots of other reasons why someone might retreat into solitude, not wash etc., both pyschological and as a consequence of drugs or alcohol.

    But I'm also aware that a crisis can trigger dramatic changes for someone on the spectrum.

    So I guess what I'm saying is you are right to be concerned about your brother, and maybe this needs a follow up. On the other hand an autistic spectrum diagnosis is not a way out, and still has a lot of stigma attached, and despite the Autism Act, little progress on any real help. So adding autism to your brother's disadvantages may not be the answer.

    So be cautious and open to other possibilities. Hope this helps.

Children
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