ASD

Autism Spectrum Disorder

What Does Autism Feel like?

Highly variable!

(It may look like any of the following):

  • Overwhelming

  • Sensory Sensitivity/Sensory Seeking

  • Confusing

  • Mechanical

  • Highly Creative

  • Emotionally Reactive/Blunted

  • May be hard to identify/describe emotional experiences

  • Loud internal voice

  • Hyper-fixating on special interests may feel like a flow state, other times it may feel frustrating, like you are stuck in it while wanting to stop

  • Distractible/disinterested

  • May feel incapable compared to same aged peers

  • May feel less intelligent than same aged peers

  • May have clear expectations for how things are supposed to go or feel

  • May feel like you are more able to achieve with the right supports (people, systems, etc.)

  • & More!

What Does Autism Look like?

Highly variable!

(It may look like any of the following):

  • Variable motivation (tends to be more extreme as high or low)

  • Variable Energy (tends to be more extreme as high or low)

  • Frequent Stimming Behaviors (attempts to cope with low internal volume)

  • May be Quiet or even non-verbal, but may also be very talkative/loud with specific people or in specific situations

  • Creative problem solver

  • Emotionally Intense

  • May appear Confrontational

  • Overwhelmed

  • Overly confident or lacking in confidence

  • May have a low frustration tolerance

  • May be avoidant of disliked tasks and activies

  • May follow a strict routine

  • May prefer to interact with people that are older or younger, while having some challenge interacting with same aged peers

  • Can appear stuck without clear reason

So What IS Autism, exactly?

For a diagnosis, symptoms must be present in some form since childhood. However, a diagnosis is unlikely to be given until demands exceed capacity/ability. As a child ages, the chance of symptoms being more prominent is common as the complexity of social situations increases, supports are reduced as is typical with the developmental process, and repetitive behaviors may increase as a response to these increased demands as an attempt to reduce the felt internal intensity of the sensory, emotional, and cognitive demands.

Clinically, a diagnosis of ASD is considered a spectrum disorder ranging from low support needs to high support needs. These support needs are determined on the basis and severity of the following cluster of symptoms:

  • Persistent deficits in social communication and social interactions

  • Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities

What’s the best way to determine if you have ASD?

You could look over the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for these symptoms using your preferred search engine, you can be evaluated using a number of different Autism assessments, or you can schedule an appointment to talk with an ASD specialist who can help determine if this diagnosis makes sense for you based on your symptoms and clinical observation!