It turns out that many people only find out about their neuroatypicality in adulthood, but there are also those who are unaware of it throughout their lives.
It is a myth that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disorder diagnosed in childhood.
It turns out that many people only find out about their neuroatypicality in adulthood, but there are also those who are unaware of it throughout their lives.
It is difficult to describe an adult with autism and even more difficult to diagnose. We present seven unusual symptoms that may indicate ASD in adults.
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- Diagnosing autism in adults is difficult, many people learn about their neuroatypicality only in adulthood.
- Hypersensitivity to experiences is a fundamental problem in autism spectrum disorders.
- People with autism feel emotions too intensely, which may lead to difficulties in coping with them.
- Adults with ASD have difficulty with communication, small talk, metaphors, and eye contact.
- The presence of animals that provide unconditional acceptance can relieve anxiety and stress in people with autism.
7 unusual symptoms of autism in adults
Specialists agree that determining autism spectrum disorder in adults is not an easy task. Usually, when functioning in society, they develop the ability to mask all symptoms and “somehow” cope – with better or worse results. Autism can manifest itself in many ways, but some behaviours may indicate ASD:
1. Intense compassion and empathy
The fundamental problem in autism spectrum disorders is not a deficit in social skills, but rather hypersensitivity to experiences, which includes a strong fear response. For many years, it was wrongly believed that people with autism lacked empathy and were unable to respond emotionally to the harm of another person.
The latest research refutes this thesis, proving that it is quite the opposite. These people feel emotions too intensely and often cannot cope with them. A cold attitude towards the environment in social relationships is therefore not a sign of a lack of empathy and compassion, but a response to its overwhelming excess.
2. Inappropriate laughter or giggling
Even very young children have the ability to laugh, which they develop through interactions with their surroundings. If this interaction is disturbed in some way, it is difficult to have a healthy laughter reflex.
In people with ASD, nervous giggling at the wrong time can often be a symptom of their brain not coping with stress. The body makes them laugh because it tries to release the tension, regardless of their will. In addition, there is the inability to cope with extreme emotions.
3. No fear of danger
Autistic children often show no fear of danger because they do not understand, like their peers, what consequences their behaviour may have. It turns out that a similar pattern may appear in adults on the spectrum.
Fear is an instinctive reaction to a threat. It warns us of danger and motivates us to take action to protect ourselves or others. Adults with ASD function differently, have their own needs and experience the world and other people in their way.
Fear is also an emotion that appears in them at completely unexpected moments.
4. Better contact with animals than with people
Adults on the autism spectrum may have problems communicating with others in everyday life. In social interactions, they usually cannot conduct small talk, they do not understand metaphors and non-verbal messages – facial expressions, and gestures, and it may be difficult for them to modulate the tone of voice.