twainbowadmin

Research By: 
Laura Foran Lewis

Abstract: Delayed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) into adulthood is common, and self-diagnosis is a growing phenomenon. This mixed methods study aimed to explore barriers to formal diagnosis of ASD in adults. In a qualitative strand, secondary analysis of data on the experiences of 114 individuals who were self-diagnosed or formally diagnosed with ASD in adulthood was used to identify barriers. In a quantitative strand, 665 individuals who were self diagnosed or formally diagnosed in adulthood were surveyed online to examine incidence and severity of barriers. Fear of not being believed by professionals was identified as the most frequently occurring and most severe barrier. Professionals must strategize to build trust with individuals with ASD, particularly when examining the accuracy of self-diagnosis.

Many people believe that people who suffer from Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a higher functioning form of autism, cannot feel and do not experience a full range of emotional stimuli. Nothing is further from the truth. People with Asperger’s Syndrome tend to feel things just like anyone else. They may be less apt at expressing those emotions in ways that society has deemed “normal;” however, that does not mean they don’t feel emotion. A particularly strong emotion they are susceptible to is depression, especially in adolescents and young adults.

Autism research group Synapse has put together this helpful fact sheet on Sexuality on the Autism Spectrum.

Gender dysphoria and autism spectrum disorder: A narrative review is published in the Int'l Review of Psychiatry.