Turning point and starting point: discovering autism
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22201/cuaieed.16076079e.2023.24.6.2Keywords:
autism, mental health, diagnosis, adulthood, anxiety, depression, burnoutAbstract
The number of diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (asd) in adults has increased thanks to a better understanding of the psychosocial difficulties associated with autism, expanding diagnostic criteria to include subtle manifestations. However, the “lost generation” of autistics often goes unnoticed due to the camouflage strategies they develop to adapt to the neurotypical world. These strategies, combined with significant life changes, can overwhelm their ability to manage socio-emotional information. Under these circumstances, autism is discovered in adulthood. It is important to note that only a minority of autistics seeking help in mental health receive an accurate asd diagnosis. This phenomenon raises key challenges in diagnosis and emphasizes the need for understanding and awareness of the experiences of adults with autism in their journey to find identity and acceptance.
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