Anti - vaxxers and the proponents of other scare campaigns love to indicate to speedily rising autism diagnoses as consequences of their pet hate . In realism , autism is belike not becoming more common , we ’re just getting well at accredit it . This means plenty of older people grew up not knowing why they were unusual . A belittled but groundbreaking sketch reveals how much difference diagnosis can make .

Many autistic children who turn up in the 60s or 70s were abuse by peers while lacking an account for the difference in the way their brain worked . Anglia Ruskin University’sDr Steven Staggand Ph.D. studentHannah Belcherinterviewed nine adults , all of whom were diagnosed with autism spectrum condition ( ASC ) for the first clock time after the age of 50 . Although such a pocket-sized group is n’t statistically representative , their common experience are credibly much more far-flung .

All the participants were aware of being unlike from most of the tyke around them from an early age , and could remember traits that make sensation with the help of the diagnosis .

Without a frame to fit them into , however , these difference were felt as wrongness . InHealth Psychology and Behavioral Medicine ,   Stagg and Belcher quote one player : “ I just thought I was just bad really and did n’t really primed in and the great unwashed did n’t like me , and I could n’t really translate why . ” A common stem was feel so different as to be almost an alien ; “ I thought perhaps I ’m a bad person , I ’ve got a horrible personality , ” another read .

Meanwhile , the positivist aspects of autism , such as acquisition in design credit , went uncelebrated , and the shared culture established by people who have grown up with ASC diagnosing was omit .

Many of those in the study had been plow for weather condition such as anxiety and depression , which often co - exist with autism . Even those who were tested at therapist ' recommendation had normally been in handling for days before ASC was remark .

Once the diagnosing was have , participants described not only a sensory faculty of vindication but the lifting of a weight . The press to execute in neurotypical ways was removed , alternatively allowing people to be themselves and play to their strengths . Some reported being intimately able-bodied to identify harmful stimuli and gain more controller over their lives , even extending to physical trouble like asthma attack fire .

Had the diagnosis issue forth to begin with in life it may have made even more of a difference , particularly if accompany by livelihood Robert William Service or examples of successful theatrical role simulation . Yet even without this , most of those in the report had establish aliveness that rebut their low self - ikon , with successful vocation and long - lasting romantic relationships .

However , one of the participants report increased bullying from an employer position - diagnosis , eventually head to the loss of his task .

Five of the nine participants are woman , in keep with Belcher’sprevious workshowing girls incline to be diagnosed later because their symptom are less recognized .

[ H / T : Theravive.com ]