Can you have autism and not realize it?

Similarly, they may not notice that they feel or behave differently, but others around them may notice that they behave or act differently. While autism is most often diagnosed in toddlers, it’s possible for adults with autism spectrum disorder to go undiagnosed.

Is it important to know if you are autistic?

It is so important to diagnose ASD, as without a diagnosis this can make so many areas of life difficult, distressing and bewildering for the undiagnosed person. This can result in difficult behaviours, social isolation and young people who do not attain their best ability in school.

Can autism appear later in life?

Can You Develop Autism? The consensus is no, autism cannot develop in adolescence or adulthood. It is, however, common for autism to be missed among girls and people with high-functioning autism when they are young.

What does Autism look like from an outside person’s perspective?

From an outside perspective it can look like the autistic person is attention seeking or making it about themselves if they react accordingly. However, that intense feeling can be so much that the autistic person switches it off completely, so they look like they’re not being empathetic.

Are there any myths about autism and neurodiversity?

When it comes to the myths surrounding autism and neurodiversity wrong information can lead to isolation, cruelty and even the use of harmful therapies. Below the team from NEAS share their top ten fake facts…

Are all autistic people geniuses?

All autistic people are geniuses! Move over Rain Man, stand aside Turing, there’s room for us all here. No, absolutely not, this simply isn’t true. In years gone by autism was described as a spectrum with the diagnoses of Asperger’s being given to people at the ‘higher end’ of the spectrum.

What are the common traits of people with autism?

It is true to say, however, that one commonality that some autistic people share is that they often find reading social situations tricky and can struggle to ‘put themselves in someone else’s shoes’. Conversely, it’s very common, also, for autistic people to be highly empathetic.