Is my child/student on the Autism Spectrum? As an adult, am I?
These are questions many adults, parents, and students are asking at this time. Social media sites, YouTube channels, and any number of books and public statements by well-known individuals have made discussions of autism very common. Many people have realized that they can identify with one or more symptoms that are reported to be key features of Autism. "Self-diagnosis" of autism is even being openly encouraged by some, and describing one's self or a loved one as "on the spectrum" has become far more common. Persons wanting confirmation of self-identified autism are now a significant portion of the group of potential clients seeking assessment from psychologists.
However, there are some very good reasons for caution here. First, for the same reason that not every person who has trouble paying attention has ADHD, or not every person who coughs has COVID-19, not every person who identifies with selected symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder truly has autism. Individual symptoms of Autism (and ADHD, and a number of other conditions) are often nonspecific, which means the same symptom can have many different causes. Using ADHD as an example, attention deficits surely can be due to ADHD, but might also be due to depression, problems with sleep, concussion injury, or a variety of potentially treatable health conditions. Returning to Autism, the social interaction difficulties that are a primary symptom might also be due a history of disruptive experiences (e.g., abuse or trauma as a child), unsuspected sensory challenges, certain types of learning disability, personality factors, or a not-yet-treated mental health condition. The repetitive actions often seen in Autism might reflect ordinary nervousness, a treatable medical condition (such as Tic Disorder), the compulsive behaviors sometimes seen in OCD, or the hyperactivity sometimes seen in ADHD. The same types of alternative causes are possible for most other symptoms used in the diagnosis of autism. All of these other potential causes may need to be ruled out as the primary causes of the symptoms, before Autism can be appropriately diagnosed as the cause. More especially, according to the current diagnostic guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association, Autism is defined as causing "clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning," and symptoms must also be "present during the early developmental period". Meeting these criteria therefore requires a thorough look at a person's developmental history and current functioning across multiple life contexts -- home, work, school, and in various social situations. While some writers and online sharers would contest the idea that autism is even a disability, it most certainly CAN be, as the parents of seriously affected children can attest.
Seemingly unaware of how powerfully limiting Autism Spectrum Disorder is for some affected children and adults, many adolescents and adults are currently identifying strongly with a popular view of what autism is, and claiming the label for themselves or their loved ones. Wanting to feel part of group of supportive persons who share similar challenges is very understandable, as many, if not most people truly WANT and NEED to feel accepted for who they are. It is also surely true that many of us too often feel we must intentionally hide feelings or behaviors others may not understand, or have a negative reaction to, a coping behavior sometimes referred to as "masking". However, neither of these coping styles is unique to autism, and perhaps more importantly, they require both social awareness and self-awareness, traits that are often (at least according to current diagnostic criteria) actually impaired in persons who truly have autism. Social distress, discomfort in social situations, and difficulty establishing relationships are very painful, and seeking support may be a very positive act of self-care, but there are other ways to do so that don't involve taking on a label. Counseling, one such option, is highly recommended!
Accepting a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder involves acknowledging the presence of a lifelong developmental condition that, by definition, profoundly affects multiple aspects of a person's functioning in clinically significant ways. For this reason, THERE MAY BE IMPLICATIONS OF BEING GIVEN AN AUTISM DIAGNOSIS THAT CAN'T BE ANTICIPATED. Will an ASD diagnosis prevent you or your child from reaching some goal, or taking some type of job, in the future? From entering military service? From running for public office? From gaining a promotion at work? From flying a plane? From being admitted to a graduate program? From receiving a loan? From establishing affordable health insurance coverage? It is very difficult to predict societal attitudes and related laws and conventions, all of which change over time.
Also, please be wary of any professional diagnostic process that does not include a thorough review of a person's childhood developmental history. Autism surely can manifest differently at different points in life, but it is always present from early childhood, in some form. Also, please be wary of any professional diagnostic process that is based only on your own symptom reports. Given all the conversation about autism online, many people are seeking confirmation of what they are already convinced is true... and such a person may, without meaning to or even realizing they are doing so, tend to "over-report" symptoms they believe to be due to autism, resulting in scores that totally misrepresent what is really happening.
Social trends pass, but labels can persist. Seek out a professional for evaluation that will look objectively at any challenges you face, do a full developmental assessment, and consider ALL the potential causes. This strategy may help you find the best possible treatment, and may help ensure a stronger, happier future. Accurate and helpful diagnosis requires a truly objective view of symptoms and possible causes... it is NOT MEANT to simply provide affirmation of what someone has already decided "must" be true. Seeking information is important, but please be open to other explanations, which may serve you or your loved one better in the long run.
Persons affected by autism face, through absolutely no fault of their own, many, many challenges, and are fully deserving of our respect and ongoing support. One part of this respect and support is not casually overusing the term "autism" to explain away painful social difficulties or establish new social connections.
These are questions many adults, parents, and students are asking at this time. Social media sites, YouTube channels, and any number of books and public statements by well-known individuals have made discussions of autism very common. Many people have realized that they can identify with one or more symptoms that are reported to be key features of Autism. "Self-diagnosis" of autism is even being openly encouraged by some, and describing one's self or a loved one as "on the spectrum" has become far more common. Persons wanting confirmation of self-identified autism are now a significant portion of the group of potential clients seeking assessment from psychologists.
However, there are some very good reasons for caution here. First, for the same reason that not every person who has trouble paying attention has ADHD, or not every person who coughs has COVID-19, not every person who identifies with selected symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder truly has autism. Individual symptoms of Autism (and ADHD, and a number of other conditions) are often nonspecific, which means the same symptom can have many different causes. Using ADHD as an example, attention deficits surely can be due to ADHD, but might also be due to depression, problems with sleep, concussion injury, or a variety of potentially treatable health conditions. Returning to Autism, the social interaction difficulties that are a primary symptom might also be due a history of disruptive experiences (e.g., abuse or trauma as a child), unsuspected sensory challenges, certain types of learning disability, personality factors, or a not-yet-treated mental health condition. The repetitive actions often seen in Autism might reflect ordinary nervousness, a treatable medical condition (such as Tic Disorder), the compulsive behaviors sometimes seen in OCD, or the hyperactivity sometimes seen in ADHD. The same types of alternative causes are possible for most other symptoms used in the diagnosis of autism. All of these other potential causes may need to be ruled out as the primary causes of the symptoms, before Autism can be appropriately diagnosed as the cause. More especially, according to the current diagnostic guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association, Autism is defined as causing "clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning," and symptoms must also be "present during the early developmental period". Meeting these criteria therefore requires a thorough look at a person's developmental history and current functioning across multiple life contexts -- home, work, school, and in various social situations. While some writers and online sharers would contest the idea that autism is even a disability, it most certainly CAN be, as the parents of seriously affected children can attest.
Seemingly unaware of how powerfully limiting Autism Spectrum Disorder is for some affected children and adults, many adolescents and adults are currently identifying strongly with a popular view of what autism is, and claiming the label for themselves or their loved ones. Wanting to feel part of group of supportive persons who share similar challenges is very understandable, as many, if not most people truly WANT and NEED to feel accepted for who they are. It is also surely true that many of us too often feel we must intentionally hide feelings or behaviors others may not understand, or have a negative reaction to, a coping behavior sometimes referred to as "masking". However, neither of these coping styles is unique to autism, and perhaps more importantly, they require both social awareness and self-awareness, traits that are often (at least according to current diagnostic criteria) actually impaired in persons who truly have autism. Social distress, discomfort in social situations, and difficulty establishing relationships are very painful, and seeking support may be a very positive act of self-care, but there are other ways to do so that don't involve taking on a label. Counseling, one such option, is highly recommended!
Accepting a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder involves acknowledging the presence of a lifelong developmental condition that, by definition, profoundly affects multiple aspects of a person's functioning in clinically significant ways. For this reason, THERE MAY BE IMPLICATIONS OF BEING GIVEN AN AUTISM DIAGNOSIS THAT CAN'T BE ANTICIPATED. Will an ASD diagnosis prevent you or your child from reaching some goal, or taking some type of job, in the future? From entering military service? From running for public office? From gaining a promotion at work? From flying a plane? From being admitted to a graduate program? From receiving a loan? From establishing affordable health insurance coverage? It is very difficult to predict societal attitudes and related laws and conventions, all of which change over time.
Also, please be wary of any professional diagnostic process that does not include a thorough review of a person's childhood developmental history. Autism surely can manifest differently at different points in life, but it is always present from early childhood, in some form. Also, please be wary of any professional diagnostic process that is based only on your own symptom reports. Given all the conversation about autism online, many people are seeking confirmation of what they are already convinced is true... and such a person may, without meaning to or even realizing they are doing so, tend to "over-report" symptoms they believe to be due to autism, resulting in scores that totally misrepresent what is really happening.
Social trends pass, but labels can persist. Seek out a professional for evaluation that will look objectively at any challenges you face, do a full developmental assessment, and consider ALL the potential causes. This strategy may help you find the best possible treatment, and may help ensure a stronger, happier future. Accurate and helpful diagnosis requires a truly objective view of symptoms and possible causes... it is NOT MEANT to simply provide affirmation of what someone has already decided "must" be true. Seeking information is important, but please be open to other explanations, which may serve you or your loved one better in the long run.
Persons affected by autism face, through absolutely no fault of their own, many, many challenges, and are fully deserving of our respect and ongoing support. One part of this respect and support is not casually overusing the term "autism" to explain away painful social difficulties or establish new social connections.