Anyone here has it?
What are the signs/symptoms?
Re: Adult Autism
I have 3 boys, 2 of them have been classified as on the "autism spectrum". And I've often wondered whether myself and/or my husband are on the spectrum too.
Some of the "hallmarks" are: inability to relate socially. Fascination with mechanical things. Inability to make eye contact.
"experts" are saying that its likely genetic but they have not yet identified a genetic marker for it.
It consists of a vast variety of symptoms which are called "the spectrum" and its so very vast and all-encompassing that I think anyone on the planet could fit somewhere on this spectrum....so its very confusing and ill-defined.
I've done so much reading on the topic because of my boys...if theres anything more specific you'd like to know, perhaps I can send you more info and/or helpful sites
Re: Adult Autism
Like Mama says, its much too wide for anyone to be ever diagnosed approriately. You need to remember that Autism is not a disease, its like a symptom. It varies a great deal from acute to complete developmental disability.
Nowadays we don't say "That child is autistic" It is now "That child has autistic tendencies" kind of like Schizophrenia, years ago I was taught that every one in four person has schizophrenic tendencies. I think the same kind of applies with Autism. A person could have one "symptom" and not the other.
I only know about Autism in children, not too sure about adults. Although I do know that Autism usually appears during childhood, first three years I think.
You might want to look at Asperger's Syndrome aswell as people oftern confuse the two. With Asperger's I think Language isnt typically a problem, its more with the social development.
Re: Adult Autism
It all sounds like some grad student's thesis that has turned into a cottage industry.
I know how a psycho-pharmacologist diagnoses people with AD(H)D: they ask them 10 questions and then prescribe Ritalin.
Re: Adult Autism
i dont have it,
but have studied about it as well as autism in children.
it mostly have combined factors - both environmental as well as familial.
people with autism are just so quiet. they are lost in their own world of seclusion.
they are elusive but can have very deep glassy eyes. they can be very creative.
talk therapy might help some, but it depends what kind of appraoch is taken to come into any social interaction with them.
some get medicines as well as are encouraged to channel their silence and thoughts into writing or art.
references
www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=128&a=6730
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8187480&dopt=Abstract
www.disability-resource.com/Autism/autism-in-adults.html
Re: Adult Autism
They are hardly communicate or deal with society. The fact they need a long term treatment to adjust itself to different factors. Don't you think that autism is a disability?
Re: Adult Autism
often autistic spectrum problems arise cuz of other problems like dysthymia.
i too have felt autisictic problems in myself with other problems such as shyness, poor concentration etc. n have consulted a psychiatrist. first i was told that I was only having social anxiety and shyness which is greater than any person of my age. i was advised to take flouxetine. i have been on treatment for more than 8 months now n now been diagnosed with dysthymia.