6 experiences unique to autistic adults

[Music] six experiences unique to autistic adults while autism affects both adults and children how symptoms present depends on age and development for example autistic adults may have developed coping strategies or learn to mask social communication issues their sensitivities special interests and executive functioning skills may change over time autistic adults may also have other mental health or medical conditions that weren't present or diagnosed in childhood here are some differences between how autism affects adults compared to children increase self-awareness autistic adults have Decades of experience behind them and the self-awareness they've developed as a result can be empowering it can help them develop coping strategies assert their rights and needs and find a community that understands them self-awareness can also help them get to know and accept themselves a move towards living their best lives autistic adults also benefit from having more freedom and agency than children for example an autistic adult receives a diagnosis and for the first time in their life understands why they respond in unconventional ways to the world around them this allows them to see their artistic self as different rather than broken and they start to feel more confident after meeting others with similar experiences employment challenges autistic adults often face challenges in finding and keeping a job due to difficulties with social communication sensory overwhelm and more within the autistic population job and security is high however unlike children autistic adults may be better equipped to advocate for their needs request accommodations and hold others accountable for example an autistic adult is struggling to understand verbal instructions at work their performance is suffering so they ask their manager to issue written instructions instead working remotely from home also allows them to better accommodate their unique needs navigating relationships managing relationships both platonic and romantic can be difficult for autistic adults due to differences in communication Styles sensory sensitivities and energy levels traditional dating advice aimed at neurotypical individuals may not be effective for autistic people which can increase stress and cause uncertainty it's also common for autistic adults to be treated like children so it's important for them to find people who respect their autonomy and agency autistic children and teens struggle with relationships too but adult relationships come with unique expectations that adults find challenging for example the social script for Small Talk At corporate functions might confuse an autistic adult who has never been in that situation before navigating sex and intimacy is another area autistic adults don't have much guidance for example an autistic adult is casually dating but they get overwhelmed by the sensory environment in restaurants bars and clubs they can't find anyone who wants to date them and enjoys low sensory environments until they start dating other autistic adults who feel the same way this leads to isolation until they meet someone with similar needs co-occurring conditions autistic adults may also have additional mental health or medical conditions that need extra support or treatment some of these conditions May improve over time While others can worsen because of this many autistic adults are frequent visitors to Health Care Facilities navigating the Health Care System alone can also be really difficult for autistic adults for example as they age an autistic adult's migraine start to get more intense this requires testing diagnosis and a treatment plan that requires our time and energy for years the situation is especially problematic for low-income people who don't have health benefits advocacy autistic adults May advocate for their needs and rights by using their experiences to drive change and raise awareness this is a part of self-determination for autistic adults which enables them to have greater control over their own lives and decision making through advocacy autistic adults may also enhance their careers self-fulfillment and connection with other autistic people many children and teens are fortunate to have caregivers who can advocate for them but this may not last into adulthood as autistic people grow up many need to learn how to advocate for themselves which requires a lot of time energy and research living independently as autistic adults grow older they may be able to make their own decisions including living independently however managing household chores and responsibilities can be difficult for many autistic adults and there are limited publicly funded supports and services available living alone can be especially challenging a struggling to keep up with basic needs like eating sleeping cleaning and running errands can have serious consequences in addition to the normal stresses of adult life for example an autistic adult who is able to work and pay their bills struggles to keep their house clean they find themselves forgetting to eat shower drink and sleep but they don't know who to rely on for Aid remember some autistic adults may experience more significant challenges than others while some may have developed effective coping strategies that allow them to live more comfortably to learn more visit our website at autismbc.ca foreign

Channel: Autism BC

Views: 91,866

Keywords:

Id: CSHx3OUkV40

Length: 5min 27sec (327 seconds)

Published: Thu Mar 30 2023