Seek ASD or sensory processing disorder diagnosis in your 50s?

[Anonymous]

To me, I seem to have lived a fairly normal adult life. But as ASD information has become more prevalent I wonder if I actually fall somewhere in the spectrum or some other diagnosis and if it really matters.

As a child and young adult I didn't have trouble making friends, although as I've gotten older I have fewer and fewer of them (which, according to DCUM threads, seems kind of normal). I've never enjoyed parties where there are a lot of people I don't know and sometimes feel socially awkward. Again, that seems somewhat normal to me. While I've been divorced for a while, I have a DS I'm close with but haven't been in another relationship for years. I've had a successful career in a field that involves a lot of communication. So I feel like I'm more of an introvert than anything.

I've always had a high sensitivity to noise. I can't go to sporting events (don't think I'd like them even without the nose thing), loud bars, etc. I literally want to put my hands over my ears when something is loud. I also feel like I have a heightened sensitivity to smells. As I get older, I find myself seeking out very soft and smooth clothing. On DCUM I discovered that toe walking can be a sign of autism, which I definitely did without noticing till I was teased about it as a young teen.

I've tried a free couple online tests, which put me basically borderline ASD.

Just curious if anyone else had wondered about themselves or someone close as an adult and even where to start if I choose testing.

[Anonymous]

I can relate to some of the things you said and have wondered the same. I haven't pursued testing. I guess I wonder what purpose a formal diagnosis would serve, whether it's worth the investment in time and money, what I would gain from it.

[Anonymous]

I can relate as well, I have often thought about whether I could be on the spectrum. But at this age, I don't think it would be especially useful to get a diagnoses. It's called a spectrum for a reason, we are all on it somewhere. Maybe I (or you) are closer to ASD, maybe not. I guess the only thing it could be helpful for would be if an official diagnoses would get you some therapies that could help or improve your life.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Glad for the affirmation that I'm not the only one. I'm probably not going to seek testing. This is really only something I've even started thinking about myself in the last few years.

Honestly, the noise thing is the worst for me. I've read about misophonia, and while some noises, like incessant sniffling sounds, make me crazy, it's more loud noise that I can't handle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Glad for the affirmation that I'm not the only one. I'm probably not going to seek testing. This is really only something I've even started thinking about myself in the last few years.

Honestly, the noise thing is the worst for me. I've read about misophonia, and while some noises, like incessant sniffling sounds, make me crazy, it's more loud noise that I can't handle.

Hi! I’m glad you posted. I have a 14 year old son with similar symptoms. I too have wondered if he’s on the spectrum but I choose to not spend the time and money on an official diagnosis as I don’t believe it would help him at this point. He gets accommodations at school and is doing wonderfully. He has friends too.

I have a question for you - do you have kind of anxiety? I’ve noticed my son seems to be really anxious. That is one area we are still trying to work on. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I definitely have significant sensory processing issues, and definitely don’t have ASD. I don’t feel I need any testing to confirm the sensory processing issues—they are what they are, and I’ve had them since childhood.

[Anonymous]

autism has to cause clinically significant impairment to be diagnosed. you don’t sound impaired by any definition.

[Anonymous]

I definitely relate to your post OP. Getting my DS tested caused me to reflect on my own sensitivities. Have you checked out any of the "Highly Sensitive" books or websites? That might bring additional clarity. It did for me.

https://hsperson.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I definitely relate to your post OP. Getting my DS tested caused me to reflect on my own sensitivities. Have you checked out any of the "Highly Sensitive" books or websites? That might bring additional clarity. It did for me.

https://hsperson.com/

OP here. I think that’s me! I answered yes to all but one of questions at the beginning of the website. I’ll have to look into this. I remember one boyfriend several times telling me I was too sensitive. This puts it in a better light, that I’m highly sensitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Glad for the affirmation that I'm not the only one. I'm probably not going to seek testing. This is really only something I've even started thinking about myself in the last few years.

Honestly, the noise thing is the worst for me. I've read about misophonia, and while some noises, like incessant sniffling sounds, make me crazy, it's more loud noise that I can't handle.

Hi! I’m glad you posted. I have a 14 year old son with similar symptoms. I too have wondered if he’s on the spectrum but I choose to not spend the time and money on an official diagnosis as I don’t believe it would help him at this point. He gets accommodations at school and is doing wonderfully. He has friends too.

I have a question for you - do you have kind of anxiety? I’ve noticed my son seems to be really anxious. That is one area we are still trying to work on. Thanks.

OP again. Yes, I think I have anxiety. I’ve always worried about things, from what if it snows and I can’t make it to my plane to how am I going to get through leading a meeting tomorrow? For the second one I’ve written a kind of script, which helps with anxiety. But the main thing for me, anxiety wasn’t a thing growing up in the ‘70s and ‘80s. I was just someone who worried more than the average kid. Definitely not a thing to be diagnosed, let alone autism.