Do I have Asperger’s Syndrome?

How do I know if I have Asperger’s Syndrome? Now known as autism, Asperger’s syndrome was previously referred to as a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication and social interaction. In this blog, you’ll find out more about Asperger’s in adulthood.

What are the Symptoms of Asperger’s

Have you ever felt like you never truly fit in? Maybe you were a shy child and found it difficult to make friends. Maybe your interests’ differed from your peers’. But as you become an adult and the shyness goes away, feeling like something is off is still there. It almost feels like you never learned how to navigate the social world.

Adults with Asperger’s might feel like they don’t belong and appear weird to other people. They might struggle with eye contact or their eye contact can be too intense, they might miss social cues, dislike change, have difficulty holding a conversation and small talk especially, exhibit special interests in specific subjects and use fewer gestures. Their strengths might include attention to detail, ability to recognise patterns and artistic skills. On the other hand, they might be clumsy and sensitive to noises, lights, touch or smells.

Causes of Asperger’s

Contrary to the popular belief, vaccines don’t cause Asperger’s. It’s difficult to pinpoint one cause but you’re more likely to develop Asperger’s due to genetics or if your parents had you when they were older, if your mother used prescription drugs when pregnant and if you experienced something traumatic when you were a child.

What Treatment is Available?

Asperger’s is difficult to diagnose in adults but not impossible. You’d have to be referred for an assessment by your GP and gather information about your childhood. Your treatment options will depend on your difficulties. As an adult with Asperger’s syndrome, you might struggle with a range of mental health issues such as anxiety or depression due to, for example, being unable to keep a job, social isolation or low self-esteem. These issues can be addressed by talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy that aims to target unhelpful thoughts and teach you new coping skills. A lot of adults can benefit from the social skills training that can improve communication skills and teach them how to recognise social cues.

Learning about symptoms that can indicate a health problem or receiving a new diagnosis can be overwhelming. Contact My Family Psychologist to receive support and discuss your options