To ask what your symptoms of adult autism were

[LivingMyBestLie]

I may not have phrased the title quite right...

I'm wondering, if you got a diagnosis of autism as an adult woman, or if you're an adult woman with a longer-standing autism diagnosis, what your symptoms are?

I'm not sure if I am neurotypical or not. I'm not interested in a diagnosis particularly, I just want to understand why I feel the way I often do.

Thank you!

This is interesting and accurate for me personally:

www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/women-autism-spectrum-disorder/202104/10-key-signs-autism-in-women?amp

Try not to think of symptoms, or even traits, it's misleading. Look up the diagnostic criteria.

I relate heavily to 7 of these.

Can I ask what you did after receiving a diagnosis? Has your life changed in any way?

I'm feeling very isolated and lost, despite having many positives in my life. I'd like to feel content but not sure how to get there.

Could you link the one used for adult women please? I'm assuming there's a specific one?

Recently diagnosed here. Always felt odd/out of place. Constant need to faff/fidget or “stim” as is the appropriate word. Sensory issues. Stickler for routine. Can’t keep up with conversations. Need most things written down so I can keep track. Lack of social skills either not keeping up with conversations/butting in them, etc.

This is me all over! I can hear conversations, and I can engage to the extent that I can smile in the right places, add the odd comment, but I often miss the crux of it and don't know how to develop it. I often feel I need to walk away mid conversation too. I analyse every aspect of social interactions and kick myself constantly for my reactions but can't seem to change it.

I need instructions to be explicit and often written.

I have meltdowns when plans change, especially around timings/lateness.

I have intrusive thoughts around a few set topics.

I pick my skin, lips, nails, bite my mouth, pluck my hair.

I have a lot of empathy in theory, but find it hard to feel it in reality.

Can I ask how you went about getting the diagnosis.

And if you feel comfortable sharing, why did you seek it?

And has it impacted anything? Do you tell people about it?

I gave myself permission to be compassionate towards myself, mainly, and stop resisting "indulging" in spexial interests, stimming etc. I am in the process of agreeing reasonable adjustments at work around working hours and environment. It's all quite new and self acceptance and understanding is a big work in progress.

Here is info on official diagnostic criteria:

www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/diagnostic-criteria/all-audiences

This is a supportive and welcoming board:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/neurodiverse_mumsnetters

Yes sounds very similar to me OP!

i just spoke to my doctor and said I think I have ASD, she referred me to the ASD service and about 18 months later I got assessed and then a few weeks after got my diagnosis through. I’ve shared it yes, spoke to my work about it I’ve started taking out my fidget chain with me, including at work. If I’ve had stares from people, I’ll be honest I haven’t noticed them.

I feel more comfortable sharing my diagnosis now it’s official, although it’s amazing how many people have responded with “well it’s no surprise is it?” Or something along those lines. Not much has changed with how people treat me.

They aren't symptoms so to speak they are just part of us.

I'm diagnosed with autism.

I'm hypermobile (also have EDS which is largely linked to autism.)

I don't like flashing lights or bright lights.

I can't follow a conversation if there's more than one noise going on. (I also have films/shows in subtitles)

I'm not very sociable, I really struggle with social skills. I can be witty but it depends who with.

I can't sit still. I always must be doing something wether it's cleaning, reading, doing something with my hands, fidgeting etc.

I'm very sensory. Up to the age of 25 I wouldn't wear socks at all. I hate certain textures of foods etc.

I take things literally. I find sarcasm very difficult.

I prefer animals to people.

I have special interests like politics, cats, the history of the royal family.

I hate busy places. London is the stuff nightmares is made of.

Instruitive thoughts.

I can have really bad meltdowns when my brain gets overwhelmed.

Also I love routine. If I have no routine I can't cope.

I'm in the same boat as you OP, I know you aren't interested in a diagnosis and I am wondering whether to pursue one for myself. In that list of key signs of autism list, I don't relate much to the item about eye contact (but I know I did have a problem with this when I was younger and actually remember watching people to see what was appropriate because I would either avoid direct eye contact or make people uncomfortable by doing too much!, and stimming. Although I did do this in a massive, huge meltdown last year. (I need to find out more about stimming). I feel bad using the term meltdown because I'm not diagnosed and I wonder if it was just a huge tantrum. But it felt uncontrollable and exhausted me. I don't have meltdowns very often though but when I do I just feel awful.

I don't know what I will do to be honest.

Could you link the one used for adult women please? I'm assuming there's a specific one?

No there isn't. The diagnostic criteria are the same for everyone.

I’m following this with interest. I believe I have a few traits that point to autism and I’m not sure if it is worth looking into a diagnosis. I’m not sure what the benefits would be.

Yes. And were all designed based on how it manifests in men/ boys, which is why it's so under-diagnosed still in women/ girls. Things are improving, but very slowly.

I'd add to the above that as well as struggling to focus, hyperfocus is common. Sleep problems are even more common in autistic women than men: over 90% of autistic women struggle with this and recent research shows melatonin can help a lot.

Also being a bit of a "daydreamer", living in a fantasy land. And issues with spatial awareness are also very common. There is lots of overlap with ADHD and dyspraxia so many autistic women have both.

OP - there are autism quotient tests online. Take one of those and if you score highly I would speak to your GP about being referred for diagnosis. Among the autistic women I know (mostly diagnosed as adults) diagnosis has been very positive for self-understanding and therefore self-esteem and mental health.

There are also support groups available for autistic people/ autistic people and it can be hugely beneficial to have people to talk to with similar experiences.

I don't know if you have children, but unsurprisingly many autistic women also have autistic children and learning more about it can really help also with how to support them and ensure they get earlier support so have more positive experiences.

I’m thinking of seeking a diagnosis. My dd was diagnosed at 18 and I see a lot of similar traits. Also executive functioning but I’m not sure if that’s ADD. Are they linked?

That should say "support groups for autistic people/ autistic women"

I was diagnosed recently and its made no difference to me at all. I suspected for a long time, and got diagnosed incase we need to get DS assessed in future to demonstrate there is a strong family history. I think unless you are going to be doing future study and could qualify for DSA, or you need specific reasonable adjustments at work there isn't that much point. The assessment also didn't answer any of the questions I had - at one point the psychologist asked me if I thought something was anxiety related or autism. I think the diagnosis was almost entirely based on the questions I did before the first appointment.