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Physician shares a simple 2-minute examination that can indicate whether you might be on the autism spectrum
A leading psychologist has uncovered the typical behaviors that
might indicate that you have un-diagnosed autism.
Dr Kim
Sage
, 56, a
California
—a psychologist—mentions that undiscovered autism in adults is quite prevalent, and she herself only recognized that she probably has the condition a few years back.
In the United States, over 5.4 million adults, which represents 2.21 percent,
has autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Nevertheless, the incidence of autism is rising, and more young adults are being diagnosed with it.
A research conducted at Rutgers indicates that one in four adolescents with autism might not be diagnosed and can remain unrecognized as adults.
Dr. Sage indicates that one of the clearest signs to watch for is ‘stimming’ — repeated bodily actions or behaviors.
Although autism-associated stimming frequently
Connected to intense actions like head-banging and swaying, the mental health professional mentions that it might also show up in more discreet forms.
In a
TikTok
In the video, she mentions that frequent hair twisting is often seen as a form of stimming. Similarly, fidgeting with accessories like a locket on a necklace also falls into this category.
She then mentions that frequently touching a soft blanket is something that can provide comfort to individuals who are autistic, whereas pen caps tend to be an object they find intriguing.
Two detrimental behaviors that stimmers might fall into, according to Dr. Sage, include skin picking and nail biting.
The three recurring behaviors identified by the psychologist include making oral noises, drumming fingers on nails, and repeatedly playing the same song or sound.
Dr. Sage states that everybody stimulates to some extent and ‘engaging in these behaviors doesn’t mean you have autism.’
However, she notes, “for individuals with autism, stimming can be quite soothing and helpful for regulation.”
The Drake Institute of Neurophysical Medicine in California states that essentially, autistic stimming assists individuals in managing feelings of anxiety, boredom, or excitement.
Like Dr Sage, it highlights that stimming is a ‘common activity even in non-autistic individuals’.
When dealing with autism, the self-stimulatory behaviors can differ significantly between individuals, and some people on the spectrum might not display any of these traits whatsoever.
Specialists indicate that autistic stimming typically occurs when an individual feels overwhelmed by stimuli beyond their control, or conversely, when they are understimulated. It can also help mitigate pain or provide comfort.
Most of the time, experts suggest that stimming isn’t harmful for an autistic individual; instead, it serves as a way to comfort themselves.
People with autism often require more self-soothing because they commonly experience intense overwhelm from various circumstances, feelings, or ideas.
Nonetheless, stimming can occasionally have adverse effects on both children, teenagers, and adults since it may be misinterpreted by bystanders and seen as deliberate aggression.
Experts caution that certain self-stimulating behaviors, particularly head banging, kicking, and intense skin picking, could lead to bodily harm for individuals with autism.
Furthermore, this compulsive and withdrawn conduct may cause the child to focus internally, thereby making social interactions even more challenging.
The treatment for problematic self-stimulating behavior often includes behavioral therapies, modifications to the environment, techniques for reducing stress, and sometimes medication.
In certain instances, stimming might continue into adulthood and become disruptive; however, therapy can also aid in reducing these symptoms in grown-ups.
In her other TikToks, Dr Sage highlights additional signs to look out for regarding autism.
In a particular video, she mentions that some indicators you could be an un-diagnosed autistic adult may include ‘being often regarded as extremely sensitive, constantly feeling hyper-alert and anxious, and experiencing feelings of being out of place, particularly in social settings’.
She points out that socializing can be ‘extremely taxing,’ often leaving one needing ‘considerable downtime’ afterwards.
Interacting with others can be challenging for autistic individuals as they may find it difficult to understand social signals and manage the intricacies of social exchanges.
This could consequently result in feelings of anxiety, confusion, and fatigue, particularly when navigating through big gatherings or novel circumstances.
Dr. Sage suggests that autistic individuals may lean towards solitude or interacting with just one person at a time.
Studies have revealed a strong connection between autism and the onset of autoimmune conditions.
Regarding this issue, Dr Sage points out that not being diagnosed with autism during adulthood may lead to various health issues such as allergies, autoimmune connective tissue disorders, persistent pain, and digestive tract problems.
Finally, she concludes the video by pointing out how autism frequently gets misidentified.
She mentions that some frequent misdiagnoses include bipolar disorder, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Earlier, autism was categorized under various diagnoses such as Asperger’s syndrome, autistic disorder, Kanner’s syndrome, childhood autism, atypical autism, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
Since every diagnosed case exhibited traits associated with autism, these cases have been subsumed under the broader category of Autism Spectrum Disorder, which serves as an inclusive designation for this collective set.
In addressing the treatment of adults with autism, several methods can be employed to cater to their specific requirements and difficulties.
The available treatment methods may consist of psychotherapy and counselling, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), social skills training, as well as occupational therapy.
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