1. < Autism (ASD)
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Adults On The Autism Spectrum

Posted by Mamacita, Alumna Mentor @mamacita, Apr 29, 2018

Maybe you were really shy as a child. Perhaps you took home a huge stack of books from the school library, read them, and returned them the next day. Or did your best friend find you crying in your closet, unable to answer the question "Why?" At any rate, your life could be traced to the Self-Help section of the local bookstore. Unfortunately, most of the books were not much help. ADHD seemed to fit, at times. Your shrink said you might be Bi-Polar, although she wasn't really certain. All you knew was that you rarely fit in, anywhere. One day at work, it hit you square in the face: I don't speak these people's language! Really, it was like you were all playing this game, and everyone knew the rules but you. You couldn't tell a joke, and you never "got" any joke your co-worker tried to tell you. People started getting annoyed with you, because you had a memory like a steel trap. They didn't appreciate it when you called them on the carpet. Who knew? This was my life, and worse. I finally aced several tests that pointed me to the answer to my questions. The Autism Spectrum. Guess what? Little kids with Autism grow up to be Adults with Autism. Diagnosed late in life? This is the place for you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autism (ASD) Support Group.

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GetWellSoon26 | @vijay26 | May 4 10:28am

I am dealing w three adults on ASD 0-10; 10 being the most high functioning w scientific background, but has no common sense. The lowest is "0" being a son w ASD, WHERE you see both Autism and I.D. combo. He lives in a group home, because I couldn't take care of him at age 75 yrs.
VJ

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Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | May 4 12:30pm

Hi there. I too have a high performing Asperger's spouse. He has always had an explosive anger disorder, but it is getting worse with age. I wish I could offer you advice, but I am in the same boat. I just wanted you to know that you are heard; hopefully others will chime in.

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tisme | @tisme | May 5 4:07am

mum was diagnosed in her late 50's as being asperger they called it back then

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kjs831 | @kjs831 | 2 days ago

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 49, and I have Psychologists for parents. My mother even ran a preschool program for special needs kids. But, I was born in 1973, grew up in the 70s-2000s. Back then Autism was considered a psychosis, and as time went a long, it still wasn't considered a "Spectrum of various traits". My former therapist once asked me if I ever thought I was Autistic, and I said yes. I found a Psychologist who tested Adults for Autism. Like most females, I fell 1 point short on the scoring. The Psychologist said there were enough markers on the results to show I am Autistic. While it initially felt good to finally have a diagnosis, that feeling has changed over time, I hate it. I haven't worked for over 3 years, mostly because I have so many physical and mental health issues, but also because there are so many jobs I can't do. I had to undergo a general Psych Eval last year for Vocational Rehab. The results showed I have a very low IQ, which makes me unable to have the capacity to learn and retain skills needed for a job. My ability to do math is equal to that of a 2nd grade child. (I know i can't do math, but that's the first time an actual grade level was given.) This year i had a Neuro Psych Eval and for the most part, the results were the same. I never felt as if I am smart and was constantly told Im not, and now I know the truth, I'm not. And that's a hard pill to swallow.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 1 day ago
In reply to @kjs831 "I wasn't diagnosed until I was 49, and I have Psychologists for parents. My mother even..." + (show)
Profile picture for kjs831 @kjs831

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 49, and I have Psychologists for parents. My mother even ran a preschool program for special needs kids. But, I was born in 1973, grew up in the 70s-2000s. Back then Autism was considered a psychosis, and as time went a long, it still wasn't considered a "Spectrum of various traits". My former therapist once asked me if I ever thought I was Autistic, and I said yes. I found a Psychologist who tested Adults for Autism. Like most females, I fell 1 point short on the scoring. The Psychologist said there were enough markers on the results to show I am Autistic. While it initially felt good to finally have a diagnosis, that feeling has changed over time, I hate it. I haven't worked for over 3 years, mostly because I have so many physical and mental health issues, but also because there are so many jobs I can't do. I had to undergo a general Psych Eval last year for Vocational Rehab. The results showed I have a very low IQ, which makes me unable to have the capacity to learn and retain skills needed for a job. My ability to do math is equal to that of a 2nd grade child. (I know i can't do math, but that's the first time an actual grade level was given.) This year i had a Neuro Psych Eval and for the most part, the results were the same. I never felt as if I am smart and was constantly told Im not, and now I know the truth, I'm not. And that's a hard pill to swallow.

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@kjs831 Please don't sell yourself short! You are 20 years younger than myself. Like you, a formal diagnosis of autism didn't happen until adulthood.

You are posting very real and important facts about your life. Not everyone is able to do math skills. Is there a facility that can help you learn to be the best you want to be/can be? That will show you where your strengths are and how to navigate all this? It is so easy to get discouraged.

You are a valuable person.
Ginger

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h16027 | @h16027 | 21 hours ago
In reply to @kjs831 "I wasn't diagnosed until I was 49, and I have Psychologists for parents. My mother even..." + (show)
Profile picture for kjs831 @kjs831

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 49, and I have Psychologists for parents. My mother even ran a preschool program for special needs kids. But, I was born in 1973, grew up in the 70s-2000s. Back then Autism was considered a psychosis, and as time went a long, it still wasn't considered a "Spectrum of various traits". My former therapist once asked me if I ever thought I was Autistic, and I said yes. I found a Psychologist who tested Adults for Autism. Like most females, I fell 1 point short on the scoring. The Psychologist said there were enough markers on the results to show I am Autistic. While it initially felt good to finally have a diagnosis, that feeling has changed over time, I hate it. I haven't worked for over 3 years, mostly because I have so many physical and mental health issues, but also because there are so many jobs I can't do. I had to undergo a general Psych Eval last year for Vocational Rehab. The results showed I have a very low IQ, which makes me unable to have the capacity to learn and retain skills needed for a job. My ability to do math is equal to that of a 2nd grade child. (I know i can't do math, but that's the first time an actual grade level was given.) This year i had a Neuro Psych Eval and for the most part, the results were the same. I never felt as if I am smart and was constantly told Im not, and now I know the truth, I'm not. And that's a hard pill to swallow.

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@kjs831
I can't imagine anyone, who can write and express themselves as well as you do, scoring in the low range on an IQ test! I think I would definitely question these tests. I have a son on the spectrum, who is high functioning & very intelligent but very poor social skills. He also has some mental health issues. Due to his having ADD & dyslexia he has always been allowed to have extra time on testing. God bless & I wish you the very best! I just know there is a very wise woman in you! Do not sell yourself short!

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poupette | @poupette | 11 hours ago
In reply to @kjs831 "I wasn't diagnosed until I was 49, and I have Psychologists for parents. My mother even..." + (show)
Profile picture for kjs831 @kjs831

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 49, and I have Psychologists for parents. My mother even ran a preschool program for special needs kids. But, I was born in 1973, grew up in the 70s-2000s. Back then Autism was considered a psychosis, and as time went a long, it still wasn't considered a "Spectrum of various traits". My former therapist once asked me if I ever thought I was Autistic, and I said yes. I found a Psychologist who tested Adults for Autism. Like most females, I fell 1 point short on the scoring. The Psychologist said there were enough markers on the results to show I am Autistic. While it initially felt good to finally have a diagnosis, that feeling has changed over time, I hate it. I haven't worked for over 3 years, mostly because I have so many physical and mental health issues, but also because there are so many jobs I can't do. I had to undergo a general Psych Eval last year for Vocational Rehab. The results showed I have a very low IQ, which makes me unable to have the capacity to learn and retain skills needed for a job. My ability to do math is equal to that of a 2nd grade child. (I know i can't do math, but that's the first time an actual grade level was given.) This year i had a Neuro Psych Eval and for the most part, the results were the same. I never felt as if I am smart and was constantly told Im not, and now I know the truth, I'm not. And that's a hard pill to swallow.

Jump to this post

@kjs831 IQ results need to be taken with a grain of salt. My psychologist explained to me that scores can be misleading and useless.

I got a very high score for one of the fourth sub tests and a very low one for a different sub test, do you know the details of yours? And by reading you I can say that you are smart! Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. You haven’t worked for 3 years but you were able prior to that!

Learning at our age, I was born in 1972, that we are autistic is a lot to process, give you time.

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