The late diagnosis of autism, especially in adults, is a reality that deserves attention
On April 2, World Autism Day is celebrated, a date established by the United Nations (UN) to make society aware of the autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and promote the inclusion of autistic people.
The late diagnosis of autism, especially in adults, is a reality that deserves attention. For a long time, autism was considered a children’s disorder, which led to a significant secondary diagnosis in adults. This lack of recognition can have a profound impact on a person’s life, influencing their mental health, relationships and job opportunities.
Does adult autism test work?
The autism test is performed in a neuropsychological evaluation which is a set of tests and protocols and structured interviews. “We ask a Number of Questions About One’s Life History, They Will Do Some Tests Within This NeuropsyCological Protocol That Will Give and Forward the Traits of Autism After This Assessment. The Patient then Passes a Psychiatrist or A Neurologist To Close the Diagnosis,” Explains Tatiana Serra, Neuropsychologist at the University of São Paulo Hospital (HCFMUSP).
The expert explains that the neuropsychological evaluation can be carried out online, but must be done by a trained professional. “Usually they are psychologists who carry out this evaluation and can be online, but it is not a test that you enter and answer alone, it needs the professional to do all this evaluation with the patient,” he adds.
Late diagnosis problems
The professional states that when it is not correctly diagnosed, it is possible to be a life with many consequences.
“Sometimes there are other comorbidity such as depression, anxiety and sometimes the person is dealing with it and is always going and it comes because, in fact, the base is not anxiety or depression, sometimes the base is autism and needs routine adjustments in everyday life in order to have a more balanced and healthier life.”
If the person does not have the diagnosis, sometimes he lives a very troubled or thoughtful life that would not be necessary if he knew what happens to her.
Causes and challenges of late diagnosis:
Lack of knowledge: The ignorance of autism in adults, both by health workers and society in general, is one of the main causes of late diagnosis.
Athyl presentation: Autism can manifest itself in different ways in adults, which makes it difficult to recognize symptoms.
Comorbidity: Often the symptoms of autism are confused with other mental disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Masking: Some autistic adults develop “masking” strategies to adapt to social standards, which can hide the symptoms of autism.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
