25 Dec Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults – Can it Be Cured?
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults can be diagnosed in all races, age, or ethnicity. It is mainly a disorder of social interaction and communication difficulties.
Autism can be diagnosed in a child from 2 years of age. Although, if it’s the high functioning autism, it is not apparent until much later into adulthood.
Are you scared of too many people around? Do you find difficulty in communicating? Autism is concerned with mainly verbal and nonverbal communications.
If you think you’ve Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults , consult the neuropsychiatrist in Patna, Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh.
Autism in Adults
Autistic adults sometimes exhibit symptoms similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They can also have signs like impaired language.
Autism in adults can manifest in different ways, and hence it can get really difficult to understand it. Autism in adults can prove a challenge to the physicians and the people around them.
How do you explain autism to an adult?
Autism in adults can be difficult to diagnose because of its odd patterns. Autistic people have a hard time maintaining relationships.
Of course, it is because of trouble in maintaining communication and social skills. It is difficult for them to understand emotions and have inflexible thoughts and behavior.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder concerning how the brain processes information. They can have a wide range of weaknesses, skills and talents. They can have difficulties with interpreting social norms and body language.
Symptoms of Autism in Adults
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults can be divided into mild, moderate and severe types according to their symptoms.
Mild autism in adults typically gets suppressed because they develop coping skills to deal with their symptoms. It can also be known as borderline autism in adults. The signs of mild autism in adults can be
- Difficulty understanding other people’s emotions and putting themselves in others’ shoes.
- They cannot maintain friendships and don’t understand social rules so come off as rude and inconsiderate.
- Autistic people have difficulty holding a conversation and use of body language or eye contact.
- These people cannot express their emotions and so when they are talking they seem blunt and careless.
- Autistic adults have a hard core routine and plan out their day in detail.
- They don’t like change and can make them uncomfortable and very emotional.
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults have a hard time adjusting in new settings or a social situation or where there is a lot of sensory input.
The signs of autism in adult men include
- Difficulty keeping up a conversation
- They engage in repetitive or routine behavior
- Because of their lack of social skills, they only engage in certain restricted activities.
- They cannot engage in natural give and take conversation and believe in monologues.
- They have strong special interests and get hyper fixated on them.
- These people get upset if someone touches or gets too close to them.
- They notice every small detail, smells, or sounds that other people are oblivious of.
The signs of autism in women can be difficult to interpret because
- Women learn to hide their symptoms by copying other people who don’t have autism to feel a sense of belonging.
- They are quieter so can hide their feelings better.
- Because of their ability to communicate and act like other people they can cope better with social situations.
- The repetitive behavior is reduced in women
Autism in adults means other people’s feelings confuse them and they can’t decipher what others are feeling.
Sometimes, these people tend to invent their own words and don’t understand expressions. They are clumsy to the point that they are always banging into things or tripping over their feet.
Autistic adults prefer to spend their time playing individual sports like golf because it is impossible for them to work in a team.
Asperger’s Syndrome
Autism people who have low needs have been known to have high functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome.
They don’t need support like other people with autism do, but they still have a hard time with day to day activities. The symptoms of high functioning autism in adults are
- Anxiety or mood disorders
- They experience challenge with organizing things
- Experience sensory disturbances
- There are some differences in verbal communication
- They have limited interests
- Go through trouble with maintaining social relationships
- Their social awkwardness can be a major obstacle in dating and making friends.
- They care deeply about certain areas of interest like a historical period, books, movies, or industry.
- They are successful in one or two challenging academic subjects and do well in those areas at the same time having difficulty in other areas.
- They learn complex details well and remember it for a long time.
- They learn well by listening or visual assessment.
Diagnosis
For adults, there are currently no diagnostic criteria. Physicians diagnose it clinically by assessing their symptoms, and in-person interaction.
As the cause of autism is genetic, sometimes people can adopt genetic testing to look for mutated genes.
Can autism be treated?
Autism is not curable. No adult can be free of autism spectrum disorder, if they had the milder version the symptoms can be reduced and the person can live a better life.
Autism can be treated by cognitive, verbal or ABA therapy. Seeking out treatment and support according to the shmptoms one is experiencing is vital.
A psychiatrist is officially authorized to make a diagnosis of ASD and some even specialize in it.
How to deal with autism in adults?
- Medications can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with ASD. Therapies concerning autism like cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, or behavioral therapy can be helpful.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a talk therapy involving working with a therapist to know what kind of negative thinking one is going through.
- Applied behavior analysis (ABA) involves techniques and strategies used to change or understand behavior of the individual. It involves speech therapy and behavioral therapies. It includes learning
- social skills
- language and communication skills
- Reading and academics
- Self care (for example showering, cleaning, or grooming)
- Daily living skills
- Punctuality
- This behavior therapy even involves helping adults minimize their aggression and agitation.
- Speech therapy should begin early by using multimedia such as signing, exchanging of pictures, or communicative devices that can create speech based on symbols.
- Physical and occupational therapy implement schemes to help people affected with motor functions, planning, or processing.
Drug treatment is used because there has been evidence that atypical antipsychotic drugs like risperidone, aripiprazole for self-injurious, ritualistic or aggressive behaviors. SSRIs for outbursts and impulsivity.
Some dietary changes like including vitamin supplements and a gluten-free diet are recommended because families monitor these deficiencies and have some effects.
Vocational rehabilitation can help evaluate strengths, and needs when it comes to working. This evaluation can help determine the kind of employment you can choose and work.
Autism support groups and social workers have an important role in influencing the lives of people with autism.
Some support groups are familiar with local community resources and can provide support as case managers, or to provide appropriate mental health support.
Autistic people need a lot of support from family and friends. And sometimes letting the people close to you know that you have autism can help them deal with you better.
There are options for family support group who might need support to deal with people suffering from autistic symptoms as even they can get frustrated dealing with aggressive behavior.
Can autistic people live a normal life?
Autistic people have trouble communicating and expressing their feelings. They cannot act according to the social cues and norms of society.
So, because of their behavior, they stand out when communicating with others. Due to this reason, it gets difficult for them to have a sense of normalcy.
However, living a normal life depends on their ability and individual strengths as well. If they are provided with the adequate support and opportunities, they might be able to live a normal life.
Low functioning autistic individuals face significant difficulties in their dqily life with communication problems, sensory deficits, or with basic life-skills like self-care, or managing finances.
If these individuals were provided with the right kind of support and early intervention, it can make a huge difference in their quality of life.
Education and moral support are the key factors for people with autism to succeed in life and achieve their goals. The best neuropsychiatrist illness treatment in Patna, Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh can help people suffering with autism.
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