ASD in Adults
Around 700,000 individuals affected by ASD
Reviewed by Consultant Director, Lorna Wykes.
ASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s communication and how they relate to others and the world around them. Autism can also affect a person’s behaviour, cognitive processing, and attention.
Although symptoms of Autism usually show in early childhood some individuals do not receive a diagnosis until much later in life and in some stances may have been misdiagnosed.
Autism can go misdiagnosed in childhood, creating unexpected challenges in adult life
Understanding Adult Autism
The effect of ASD will vary from person to person
Autism is described as a spectrum disorder; this means it can range in severity for each individual. There are many different terms that can be used to describe an individual on the Autism Spectrum such as high-functioning, low-functioning, atypical and pervasive developmental disorder.
The important thing to remember is that no two people with Autism are the same and their condition will vary in severity and impact on their life.
Getting help to manage your Autism as an adult
No label or diagnosis can tell you exactly the challenges each individual will face in their life
We strongly believe that although diagnosis can be an important step it is also helpful to work with those with ASD to better understand these personal challenges and to assess needs on a case by case basis.
Although ASD is not an illness or a medical problem that can be cured, we work to help each person understand and manage their condition in a way that they are able to reduce interference and increase the quality of their life, building on areas where there may be cognitive and behavioural deficits to help build a better and brighter future.
Mental Health and Autism
If you have ASD you are more likely to suffer from a mental health condition
Those on the autism Spectrum are more likely to have a mental health condition than the general population, however unfortunately these concerns can often be overlooked. It is important to address these issues early on if you can, so that you get the right support and treatment. Two common mental health conditions are anxiety and depression:
Anxiety disorders are common for those on the Autism Spectrum, it’s thought that there is a higher vulnerability to stress because of biological differences and social difficulties may contribute to low self-esteem and heightened responses to apparent threats that may not always be proportionate. Particularly changes in routine and environments can often trigger the onset of stress-based responses and affect the persons ability to cope and function, overtime this can also then can also lead to depression and other
Most people will experience times of feeling sad or low, however when theses feelings persist and get in the way of managing daily life it may be a period of depression. Not only are people with autism more likely to experience depression it can be hard to seek help. It can be challenging to find help and speak to professionals; it may be that this causes stress and that they could be worried that it will not be taken seriously or that they might be blamed. It may also be difficult to communicate experiences and describe symptoms.
How We Can Help
Specialist help for adult ASD
Autism & Mental Health Assessment
Getting to know you and understanding your needs
Initial Autism Screening
Finding a way forward whatever your circumstances
Therapy & Crisis Support
Tailored treatment options to suit you
Drug & Alcohol Treatment
We have experience supporting those with ASD and drug and alcohol problems
Family Support
Building strong and helpful relationships
