Autism in Adults

Currently there exists a stronger emphasis on children with Autism than adults. How then does Autism appear in adults and how does having Autism affect them? Here are some questions I have asked and will try to answer from my own experience as being an adult with Autism.

1. Does Autism appear in adults? Answer - Yes Autism does appear in adults and more adults are being diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum than ever before.

2. Why is Autism more known about now, and why has Autism only been known about in the last 30 years? Answer - Autism from my understanding has always existed as a condition but it was the re-discovery of previous lost documents which came to light by Lorna Wing in 1981, that made society somewhat and more aware of Asperger Syndrome. Autism has not magically appeared in the last 30 years, it is more so that people and especially the hardwork and dedication of certain professionals who have studied Autism and Asperger Syndrome, that have promoted more awareness. Lorna Wing in 1981 being one of these people and also Dr Tony Attwood. There are other people also worthy of mention and Dr Tony Attwood's website or contacting Tony may be a good way to broaden your curiousity.

3. I have heard that Autism disappears later in a child's life is this true? Answer - No! In some very rare instances does the Autism Spectrum disappear. In a great deal many children Autism evolves and continues into adult life. The reason why people perceive Autism disappearing in later childhood is that the scaffolding and support in the school system, gives way with the person entering adult life. Once the person then makes the transition into adulthood, the scaffolding disappears entirely leaving the adult in the wilderness with very little support and services to assist them within this important period.

4. I have heard the Autism Spectrum is a result of bad parenting, is this true? Answer - This is absolute nonsense! Parenting has nothing to do with the child's behaviour, it is more so the parents of the child with Autism are crying out for help and sadly society is not aware and educated about Autism. A simple solution is often seen as medicating the child but really a lack of awareness and understanding needs to be overcome by way of providing more essential awareness.

5. Are adults able to hold down jobs, get married and have friends etc? Answer Some adults do get married but in some instances relationships and marriages can be extremely difficult for certain issues may encroach on these relationships. More importantly, some adults do not enter relationships nor get married because the mental energy, sharing of space and understanding the necessary requirements can be difficult. Society has to stop judging adults who are not married or in a relationship as being either dysfunctional or homosexual. Awareness needs to go out to change people's ways of thinking and more importantly, people have to stop being inquisitive about a person's personal life as it is really none of their business.

6. I have heard all Aspies are geniuses? Answer - Not all Aspies are geniuses, I know of many adults who personally struggle in their day to day lives. Some adults are unable to obtain employment, and others struggle on a day to day basis to try and exist in a world which does not understand our ways of thinking and our own cognitive wiring. Most adults exist in society largely ignored, and unknown requiring certain essential services with the government simply not listening and the community in general.

7. Are suicide rates higher in adults with Autism than other groups? Answer - Suicide rates are sadly higher in adults on the Autism Spectrum as sadly people are not always able to understand when a person may be feeling lonely, depressed or isolated on the Autism Spectrum. Again society needs to be better educated in understanding that Autism is a stand alone disability.

8. Does Bill Gates have Asperger Syndrome? Answer - There is strong evidence that Bill Gates has some traits of AS, notably being his monotonous voice, lack of social skills, preferring to not be around people etc. If anyone has a chance to see or hear Dr Tony Attwood, Dr Attwood will provide a more thorough explanation of this.

9. Does an adult with Asperger Syndrome really have a disability? Answer - An adult with Asperger Syndrome is disabled by confronting social isolation, an inability to adapt and adjust to the outside world, hold down employment, and more importantly be affected by having poor communication and motor skills. Once again unemployment rates are higher in adults with Asperger Syndrome.

10. Why are adults on the Autism Spectrum eccentric or weird? Answer - Adults on the Autism Spectrum are weird because we see things differently to other people. We are most likely eccentric and many people on the Autism Spectrum have brought into the world at large many new and necessary talents.

11. Should there be a cure for the Autism Spectrum? Answer - I am personally tired of hearing people saying or looking for a cure for Autism. Why don't people accept Autism and begin to understand the many benefits of people with Autism in the community. I think the vaccination debate is somewhat tedious when we should be concentrating on what people with Autism can do and important changes are taking place.

12. Why is bullying and teasing common in persons with persons on the Autism Spectrum? Answer - People on the Autism Spectrum are different and not always understood. Our different ways of thinking and behaving make us vulnerable to bullying and teasing and sadly the school yard can be a place in the line of attack.

13. Can a person on the Autism Spectrum drive a car, travel overseas and look after their finances. Answer - Some adults on the Autism Spectrum can drive a car, and I drive a car myself. A person is able to travel overseas on their own and yes some adults can look after their finances but other areas in our lives may require assistance. The most important assistance being what happens to us as adults as soon as our parents or families pass on leaving us without any means of support. The government and society need to act fast on this to ensure support mechanisms exist for adults into their later years in terms of services and support.

14. I have heard people on the Autism Spectrum have high levels of anxiety is this true? Answer - Yes a lot of adults have higher levels of anxiety and this can be difficult to deal with at times. In some instances, adults have unfortunately resorted to taking their own life because anxiety levels being too high can be difficult to live with.

15. Should an adult on the Autism Spectrum feel annoyed when they are measured by society as not being successful or able? Answer - Success and failure come to our lives and it is important to not take failure too personally. If an adult fails at something, it is not necessarily a bad thing, maybe they need to try again later or find something they enjoy doing. An adult with Autism should not also compare themselves to non Autistic People as the needs and expectations are different.

16. Because an adult with Asperger Syndrome works only part time does this mean they are lazy? Answer No. Some people including myself are not able to work full time because of the use of vast levels of mental energy which effect both performance and ability. In my case I also do a lot of unpaid advocacy work in my spare time and assist with awareness where I can.

17. I have heard that some sectors of the community simply do not care or want to listen about the Autism Spectrum? Answer - There are some people who have closed minds about Autism and sadly what efforts we do and the information we provide cannot always assist them. We need to focus on people who do listen and want to understand.

18. The government does not want to listen to Autism? Answer - Sadly in Australia, there is very little or insufficient support at a government level. We need in Australia to provide the positive examples of what people on the Autism Spectrum can do and hopefully this will happen soon!

19. You talk too much about Autism? Answer I talk a lot about Autism because I have it myself, people do not understand me and more importantly I have tried in the past to fit into your world with no success. I have come to accept my diagnosis and if people do not like this, then this is their problem and not mine to deal with.

20. What are some of the ridiculous comments you have heard about the Autism Spectrum? Answer - If you have Autism why are you not like Rain Man? My answer is that the Autism Spectrum covers a vast spectrum and it affects people differently. Also I have been asked do I have an allergy to Asparagus? Really people need to be educated more as well as the medical fraternity in beginning to understand the needs of adults on the Autism Spectrum.