Do you sometimes find it difficult to get along with others? Or do you prefer to do the same things and do the same routine? Since childhood, have you been perceived by others as "a little different" or "difficult"? You may be struggling with these things yourself. But have you ever considered that the cause of all this could be something you never thought of, namely Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
What exactly is autism?
First, let's understand this. Autism is not a disease or a mental disability. Simply put, it is a different way in which the nerves in our brains develop. It's like some people are tall, some are short, some write with their right hand, some write with their left. It's called a "spectrum" because the way this condition affects each person is very different. While some people may have very mild symptoms, others may have difficulty performing everyday tasks.
Autism mainly affects two areas:
1. Social communication and interaction: Difficulty may arise in things like understanding other people's emotions, facial expressions, the meaning behind words, making eye contact, and starting and maintaining friendships.
2. Restricted and repetitive behaviors: Symptoms include repeating the same things over and over again, being obsessed with the same routine, being deeply interested in a particular subject (e.g., trains, dinosaurs, electronic gadgets), and being hypersensitive or hyposensitive to sensations such as light, sound, and touch.
So why didn't I catch this when I was younger?
This is a very reasonable question. Nowadays, doctors pay attention to this during medical examinations of young children, around 18 or 24 months of age. Therefore, autism is now often diagnosed between the ages of 2-4.
But the situation was much different 20-30 years ago.
- Lack of Awareness: At that time, there was very little awareness in society about autism. As a result, a child's social difficulties were wrongly labeled as "shyness," monotony as "stubbornness," and learning disabilities as "stupidity."
- Misdiagnoses: Sometimes, symptoms of autism are confused with other mental health conditions, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
- Masking : A person, especially someone with good intelligence and good learning skills, may try to hide their social awkwardness and imitate others to behave "normally." This is called `masking.' This means that no matter how much stress they are experiencing on the inside, it doesn't show on the outside.
If you were very quiet, kept to yourself, or focused only on books as a child, adults may have missed your inner difficulties.
Reasons to suspect you have autism as an adult
Often, an adult begins to research this with an incident. Maybe when your own child is diagnosed with autism, you may think to yourself when you read those symptoms, "Oh, that's me." Or when you go to see a psychiatrist for another problem, he may recognize these symptoms.
Look at the table below. Do you feel these things too?
| Do you feel this way? (Your experience) | How autism affects it (possible cause) |
|---|---|
| Social events like office parties and weddings are very tiring. You'll be tired for days after you return. | It takes a lot of brain power to understand other people's gestures, speech patterns, and think about what to say. This is very mentally tiring. |
| I like to take the same route to work, eat at the same store, and plan my day the same way. If there is a sudden change, I feel very anxious and stressed. | Routines provide a sense of security and stability. Unexpected changes can make the world feel out of control. |
| No matter how much you talk about a subject (e.g. history, computer programming, a musical instrument), you're still interested in it even though others might think it's "boring." | These are called "Special Interests." People with autism have the ability to focus deeply on a particular subject. |
| The bright lights, loud music, and people talking in the supermarket are like a headache. I can't stand the feeling of the tags on some clothes rubbing against my body. | This is called sensory overload. When the brain cannot properly process the sensations (sights, sounds, touch) coming into it, the mind becomes confused. |
Okay, now how do you get a diagnosis?
Diagnosing autism in an adult is a little more complicated than diagnosing a young child, because you've already learned different ways to live with your difficulties and hide them.
Things to do
1. See a doctor: The first and most important thing is to talk to your family doctor (GP). He or she can refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in this area.
2. Online self-assessment tests: There are autism self-assessment questionnaires online specifically designed for adults. You can try these out yourself. But remember, these alone cannot be a 100% surefire way to determine if you have autism. However, they are a good starting point. The results of these questionnaires can help you talk to your doctor.
3. The diagnostic process: When the doctor examines you,
- They observe your behavior and the way you speak.
- They ask a lot of questions about your current life, job, and relationships.
- The most important thing is your childhood. They ask about things like how you were when you were little, when you started talking, how you played, and whether you had friends.
- If you have parents, siblings, or anyone who knew you from childhood, the doctor may want to talk to them as well, as they may remember things that you don't.
This journey may not be straightforward, but it will be a great relief to know the truth.
Take-Home Message
- Autism isn't just something that affects children. It can also be diagnosed as an adult. If you feel that way, you're not alone.
- Your social awkwardness, monotony, and emotional issues aren't your "fault." They could be a different way your brain works.
- The first step to getting a diagnosis is to talk to your doctor . Don't rely solely on online tests.
- An autism diagnosis is not a "label" that is slapped on you. It is a key to understanding yourself, recognizing your strengths, and learning to live with your difficulties.
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