Autism in adults: problems of adaptation and development in adulthood

Autism is often confused with depression, low mood, stress and other symptoms, especially in mild forms of autism in adults. Thus, the question of how to identify autism in adults is very relevant. Making the correct diagnosis will allow you to quickly understand and help the person. After all, a person with autism in adulthood does not understand why it is difficult for him to communicate with others, why he reacts differently than others, why it is not funny to laugh at a successful joke, and why he does not know that it is a joke at all.

In addition, according to British scientists, 1 in 100 healthy people suffer from autism, and adult males are five times more likely to suffer than females of the weaker sex.

Symptoms that may indicate autism in adults can be relatively mild and subtle:

  • Being secretive, withdrawn, and unwilling to socialize, even with loved ones. When people with autism meet, they try to pretend not to see them and try to walk past without saying hello.
  • Unwillingness to look the interlocutor in the eyes or, on the contrary, too intense, unblinking gaze.
  • A person does not perceive and does not react to what is happening in his personal life, as well as in the lives of his loved ones.
  • Loss of guilt, duty and responsibility, as well as emotional poverty. The person feels nothing at all but anger, rage and irritation.
  • A feeling of unreality of what is happening and uncertainty in time.
  • The appearance of patterned movements, repetition of phrases from movies, songs, and other sources.
  • Perfectionism is the tendency to perform and arrange things in a certain order. Hence conservatism about clothing, habits, skills, food, and other things. Constant repetition helps some autistic people improve their skills, but some people consider it a sign of genius. For autistic people, any deviation from rituals is simply unacceptable and highly irritating.
  • Stability of the inner world. All changes in the course of life are perceived with great drama and can cause negative reactions.
  • Inability to understand and ignore the elementary rules of behavior, emotions, feelings and desires of another person. Autistic people simply do not realize that their actions or words can harm another person by associating them with an inanimate object.
  • Autistic people consider romantic gestures meaningless, kisses are considered meaningless, and hugs are considered restraining movements.

 

The person should see a neurologist, psychiatrist, or psychotherapist immediately, even if several of these symptoms are present.

Living with autism: tips and advice

Adaptation in society

For adults, adaptation can be challenging. Participation in group activities increases self-confidence and provides knowledge of how to better interact with others. Practice promotes communication skills in social rehabilitation programs.

Support from loved ones

Support from loved ones creates a favorable atmosphere. Open conversations help avoid misunderstandings between family members and strengthen relationships. To build trust, it is important to share feelings and experiences with each other.

Support from relatives

Resources for help

Resources that can help adults and their families include available treatments and opportunities to connect with people facing similar challenges. Workshops and webinars to help you learn how to better cope with everyday life.

Complications

Late seeking medical help can be serious and varied. It is important to realize that a patient’s condition can worsen as a result of lack of timely diagnosis and treatment, which can lead to the following complications:

Mental health disorders

  • Depression and anxiety disorders: People with autism often suffer from mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, especially if they do not get the help they need.
  • Self-esteem issues: Insecurity and feelings of isolation can result from not knowing their identity and lack of social support.

Social adjustment problems

  • Difficulties in interpersonal relationships: Postnatal diagnosis may result in the patient’s inability to interact effectively with others, exacerbating social isolation.
  • Learning and employment problems: Communication and adaptation skills can make learning and employment difficult, negatively affecting quality of life.

Behavioral problems

  • Aggressive Behavior: Lack of emotion management skills can also lead to aggressive reactions to stressful situations or changes in environment in some patients.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): In the absence of proper therapy, compulsive or stereotypical behaviors that interfere with normal life may increase.

Physical health

  • Co-morbidities: individuals with autism often have co-occurring medical problems, such as eating disorders or sleep disorders, which can worsen without treatment.
  • Self-care problems: patients may have difficulty caring for themselves, which worsens overall health in severe cases.

Timely medical attention and adequate therapy can significantly improve quality of life and reduce the risk of developing these complications.

How to cure autism in adults

What are the methods of treatment of autism in adults and is it even possible? The most effective psychological rehabilitation methods for treating autism spectrum disorders are those that focus on achieving psycho-emotional stability and reducing stress levels. Professional medical care and family support help develop compensatory and strategic skills that help adapt to the world and society around them.

The therapeutic plan may include:

  • neuropsychological correction;
  • speech therapy;
  • music therapy;
  • occupational therapy.

Medication treatment aimed at eliminating fear, stress and depression is also prescribed: antidepressants, nootropics and tranquilizers. Stem cell therapy works well in treating autism in adults. To put it in simple language, it is able to reprogram the systems that lead to autism. The regeneration of neurons and improvement of neuroglia in autism improves brain and nervous system function. Under such conditions, patients’ physical, speech, and social skills improve dramatically.

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