1 in 36 children in the US I have autismaccording to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – but many people don’t know that they are on the spectrum, even adults.
People who grow up without a diagnosis may experience symptoms that are overlooked or misunderstood.
According to Autism Tales, a national nonprofit for autism recognition, one in 45 adults in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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There is a current rise in autism advocacy and education, but there could never be “many adults” Have been diagnosed Or the misdiagnosed, New Jersey-based organization says on its website.
If you think you or someone you love is on the spectrum, this shows how autism looks like in adults.
ASD is defined by challenges regarding social communication and the existence of restricted or repetitive behavior, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
As highlighted by the story of autism, some “autism characteristics” in adults include nasty feelings Social situationit is difficult to understand other people’s feelings and thoughts, prefer to be alone, make friends, and have a hard time understanding social rules.
Rising autism rates currently affect 3% of children, the CDC report says
Some oral and nonverbal communication cues include struggling with eye contact, responding in a “dull way” or taking things literally.
According to the same source, there are also repetitive or restrictive behaviors, such as tracking the same routine every day, realizing that others don’t, realizing that they have “very intense concrete interests,” or realizing that they have “very intense concrete interests.”
Adults with autism do not exhibit all traits and behaviors and interests may change with age.
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Major life changes such as college movements, career transitions, and family status changes (marriage, birth, divorce, death, etc.) can change symptoms.
“Masking” is a term used in the autism community to describe how an autistic individual hides symptoms to “fit” and avoid attracting attention in social situations.
Some people with autism choose to mask masks to avoid bullying, Maintain friendship And autism says that it’s successful at work and at school.
Some people employ “subtle stimulating behaviors” such as using fidget toys, which allows them to mask without realizing that it is happening.
Imitation of someone else’s speech or body language during a conversation is another form of masking, and it is to force eye contact and expressions that may feel unnatural.
Masking helps autistic adults navigate daily interactions, but research has shown that it can have a negative impact Mental healthAutism speaks reports because it can lead to feelings of isolation and fatigue.
autism Girl and woman Research has shown that they are more socially adaptable than boys and men with disabilities, and they are more likely to hide.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that autism is about three times more common than girls.
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Alisha Simpson-Watt, a licensed clinical social worker, is a board-certified behavior analyst and founder of the Joint ABA Services, said masking often begins in childhood and is “entrenched to the point of feeling like a second nature.”
This can lead to many women not being diagnosed until they become adults.
“Cultural expectations also play a role, as girls are often more kind, emotionally expressive or socially harmonious, which can further obscure signs of autism,” a Connecticut expert told Fox News Digital.
ASD is the spectrum. This means symptoms can vary widely from person to person, Simpson Watt said.
“The core functions remain the same, but there are differences between social communication and repetitive behavior,” she said. “How individuals have different characteristics.”
Simpson Watt emphasized that it is important to recognize “spectral diversity.” “Autism doesn’t look the same for everyone, and understanding this will help more adults get the support and validation they need.”
For adults who believe that there is a possibility of undiagnosed autism, it is important for experts to “trust your instincts.” Official review.
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“Start by talking to your primary care physician, checking with your insurance company, and checking out a list of qualified professionals to diagnose adult autism,” she advised.
“Some insurance plans may have age-related restrictions on coverage for autism assessment, so it’s helpful to start the process as soon as possible.”
