Can you be diagnosed with autism at 25?

Can you be diagnosed with autism at 25?

Signs of high-functioning autism in adults. Most of the time, prominent symptoms of ASD are diagnosed in young children around toddler age. If you’re an adult who hasn’t been diagnosed with autism, but believe you may have ASD, you may be considered to have high-functioning autism.

Can you be diagnosed with autism in your 20s?

The problem is, there’s no established procedure for diagnosing ASD in adults. So, adult autism specialists are hard to find. It might be best to ask your primary care doctor or psychologist for a referral.

Can I be diagnosed with autism at 24?

Diagnosing autism Most children with autism spectrum disorder display signs before they reach two years old, which can make an early diagnosis and intervention possible. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that health professionals check for early signs of autism at a child’s 18 month and 24 month old checks.

Is autism a mental illness?

It’s not a mental illness. Autistic children are not unruly kids who choose not to behave. I started my charity because I recognised that there was a lack of support for young autistic people and their families. Autistic children spend a lot of time “masking”, imitating so-called “normal” behaviour.

Is it possible to be an overachiever on the autistic spectrum?

Now I understand that is part of being autistic. Einstein, Mozart, Michelangelo, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates – all these overachievers are widely believed to be, or have been, on the spectrum. With every interaction, verbal or written, I go through a mental checklist. I didn’t just work hard, I also played very hard.

What did you find working against you growing up with autism?

I think I had two things working against me growing up. The first was that autism wasn’t as known as it is today. Second, it was and still is in a small way considered to be a boys thing. While boys on the spectrum tend to become rowdy, girls on the spectrum tend to introvert and are labeled shy and quiet.

What is it like being a non-autistic person?

Trying to follow social rules and adapt to an allistic [non-autistic] world is exhausting. No one sees what is going on inside my head. I have to work really hard at friendships. I’m good at making friends but not so good at keeping them. Misunderstandings in communication can blow up quite quickly.