Can you develop autism

Now, at age 40, I believe that I still have many of the symptoms but have learned to overcome them. My childhood annoyances and pet peeves still irritate me to the point where it is difficult to concentrate on projects or focus on anything relevent to urgent tasks. How well we cope early in life decides how far we may get in life without assistance. And we need to be sensitive towards those who do not understand the difference between outgrowing an obstacle and overcoming one.

Especially since everyone is different and every ASD-diagnosed individual is different from every other? MortallyWounded, I completed identify with your first paragraph. I am self-diagnosed and having trouble getting a formal adult diagnosis.

I was unemployed for a few months with no insurance. I would like a formal diagnosis as this is a prerequisite in my neck of the woods for support groups. And I am having executive functioning issues at work on my new job because it is so busy and demanding.

Autism is not based on a symptom or two, which people may display on occasion. I suspect the symptoms in HFA unfold according to the conditions in the environment. I always had executive function issues at my old job but it was much slower paced and my boss was beautifully understanding. My new job is ferociously busy and demanding, requiring me to do more than one thing at a time and switch between tasks and plan tasks, all of which I am really struggling to keep up with and fear for my future.

So my issues are really coming to the forefront now because the new environment. I think your comment is unnecessarily harsh and unfair. Yes ASD is with you for life. Those who try and push and are pushed do massively better. They learn to be in charge of their lives to the greatest extent possible. Those who are treated like poor little disabled people will always be that.

You know, just like everyone else? Because people with ASD are just people. From day one we start will all of our sensitivities and natural instincts. Many of them must be blunted and managed by learning through childhood how to live in the world as it is. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition.

Other causes are not yet known. Scientists believe there are multiple causes of ASD that act together to change the most common ways people develop. We still have much to learn about these causes and how they impact people with ASD.

There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people. They may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The abilities of people with ASD can vary significantly. For example, some people with ASD may have advanced conversation skills whereas others may be nonverbal. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others can work and live with little to no support.

If the diagnostic criteria for children are being used for reference, your clinician can ask your parent questions from that list, relying on their memories of you as a child for further information. Because most autism diagnoses are made in children, it could be a challenge to find a provider who will diagnose adults. Receiving an ASD diagnosis as an adult could mean a greater understanding of yourself and how you relate to the world.

And it can help you learn how to better work with your strengths and strengthen areas of your life that are challenging. Getting diagnosed can help you gain a different perspective on your childhood. It can also help those around you to understand and empathize more with your unique characteristics. Better understanding the set of challenges you face can help you find new and inventive ways to work with or around those challenges. You can also work with your clinician and your family to seek support that may be right for you.

Sometimes adults with ASD may be treated with cognitive, verbal, and applied behavioral therapy. Many adults with autism have found support through online groups and forums, as well as by connecting in person with other adults on the autism spectrum. As awareness of ASD continues to grow and more detailed diagnostic criteria for adults are put into place, new resources and support will also continue to become available.

Autism spectrum disorder ASD is a group of developmental factors that can cause social and communication issues. Learn more about testing and…. Autistic adults may also have more limited options for support services than autistic children. Other traits can include a unique sense of humor, and a strong sense of fairness and justice. For many autistic people, ASD is an essential part of their identity and does not require support.

For those autistic adults who experience more challenges, increased access to the following may help:. Learning more about autism can give autistic individuals and their loved ones or carers a greater understanding of the condition. Friends and family can help reduce stress and be more compassionate by accessing available learning opportunities , many of which are free.

As with neurotypical people, autistic people may benefit from seeing a therapist if they are experiencing anxiety, work stress, or feelings of isolation. Therapists can introduce autistic people to methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy. This may help with challenges that may be more particular to ASD, such as having rigid thoughts.

Therapy may take place either individually or in a group or family setting. Taking steps to improve mental health inequity can also help underserved autistic adults get the counseling they may need.

Vocational rehabilitation can help autistic people cope with career-related challenges. It allows them to explore the possibility of further education, volunteering, or job changes.

Some autistic people may find their workplaces uncomfortable if they are too noisy, too bright, or require a long commute. Employers can take steps to support neurodiversity in the workplace, for example, by making appropriate accommodations for autistic employees. Some autistic people may find it helpful to connect with other autistic people who may be experiencing similar things. A person can do this through online groups and forums, or at face-to-face support meetings.

Interacting with other autistic adults may give an autistic person new ideas about things they can do in their own lives. It can also expose a person to more resources.

Many autistic people advocate for taking a more active role in their own support services. Medications cannot cure ASD.