Reply to Washington Post on identification of distinct autism subtypes

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Reply to "Washington Post on identification of distinct autism subtypes"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The only people that seem to care are the parents of kids who have more difficult symptoms/experiences. [/quote]

I’m not sure that’s quite true. I got diagnosed recently as an adult… I’m very high functioning (have a doctorate, high paying career, etc) but have struggled socially forever and sought a diagnosis after pretty much realizing it for myself a few years back. My mother refuse to accept I have autism because her vision of autism is the very high needs, low functioning type… [/quote]

What symptoms did/do you have?

I’m asking because I believe my 18yo DD might be on the spectrum. She’s never really completely fit in with other girls her age. She’d try and like the same things but it wouldn’t come natural to her, at 13/14 when other girls were experimenting with makeup/fashion, she felt too young and wasn’t as interested, and now regularly says she still feels 12 and can’t imagine having the independence to do adult things like drive, work, etc.[/quote]

I’m fiercely independent so not like your daughter in that way. I have always, always been perceived as weird by the people around me and was severely bullied pretty much my whole life. In high school I had a girl pretty much tell me to my face that she didn’t want me to come to a social gathering because I was weird. I never understood social cues and would end up trying to mimic things I saw on tv shows to try to fit in which just made me weirder. In my adult life I don’t have many friends. I am married (my husband is also neurodivergent and accepts my weirdness). I also get really easily frustrated at things. Oh and I never realize how loud I am especially when I get excited about what I’m talking about… my husband always has to shush me, lol.

But as I said besides socially I’m prettt successful… I’ve always been smart and excelled academically and in my career. Professionally I’m able to mask and fake my way through being collegial and I supervise a ton of folks who have all raved about me as a manager, so it doesn’t manifest there… [/quote]

It’s been hard to figure out because she does understand social cues & has a good sense of empathy, but I recently watched a video of a kindergarten performance, and she seemed really anxious and looked out of place. She was fidgeting, putting her fingers in her mouth, moving  & looking around. She’s always had just one close friend, and that friend's friends were more like acquaintances to her (not really). The friend she’s comfortable with is usually very similar to her. She also has a tough time with change, like the end of the year is always difficult for her because it signals the start of a new one. In terms of independence, she is capable of driving and working, but she feels too young for that level of freedom, if that makes any sense.[/quote]

This sounds exactly like DS. We’ve wondered if he could be on the spectrum too but there different neuro psych evaluations (ages 5, 10 and 17) found him to have ADHD and anxiety, which can present similarly to autism.  From what I understand, the biggest difference and why DS didn’t get an autism diagnosis is he understands reciprocal behavior (a friendship is one where both parties give and take), can read social clues and understand sarcasm and shows empathy. [/quote]

I’m PP.
We’ll be getting her evaluated soon but I’m wondering whether the social components were the main reason why your son wasn’t deemed autistic?
Everything else ticked the box?[/quote]

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