Education

5 things late diagnosed autistic people think are “normal”

by Dr. Kim Sage, Licensed Psychologist

📚 Main Topics

Sensory Hyper-Reactivity
- Autistic individuals often experience heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli (e.g., sounds, smells, lighting).
- Difficulty in habituating to sensory inputs can lead to overwhelming experiences.
Daily Burnout
- Distinction between long-term autistic burnout and daily functional burnout.
- Daily burnout can stem from anxiety, sensory overload, and the demands of masking.
Preference for Solitude vs. Loneliness
- Many autistic individuals enjoy solitude but may also experience loneliness.
- The challenge lies in distinguishing between healthy solitude and avoidance.
Trail of Broken Friendships
- Autistic individuals, particularly women, may experience difficulties in maintaining friendships due to intense emotional investment and social masking.
- Misunderstandings and conflict avoidance can lead to a pattern of broken relationships.
Rumination
- Autistic adults may engage in repetitive negative thinking, often driven by a need for meaning and understanding.
- This can lead to increased anxiety and difficulty moving on from past experiences.

✨ Key Takeaways

Understanding Sensory SensitivitiesRecognizing sensory triggers can help in managing daily experiences and reducing overwhelm.
Addressing BurnoutAwareness of the cumulative effects of daily demands can lead to better self-care strategies and accommodations.
Balancing Solitude and ConnectionFinding a healthy balance between alone time and social interaction is crucial for emotional well-being.
Navigating FriendshipsUnderstanding the dynamics of friendships and the impact of social masking can help in fostering healthier relationships.
Managing RuminationTechniques such as structured worry time and mindfulness can assist in reducing negative thought cycles.

🧠 Lessons

Self-AcceptanceUnderstanding these experiences can lead to greater self-compassion and reduced shame.
Planning for RecoveryAllowing time for recovery after social interactions or sensory overload is essential for maintaining mental health.
Seeking SupportEngaging with communities or professionals who understand autism can provide valuable insights and coping strategies.
Communication SkillsDeveloping skills to express needs and navigate social situations can improve relationships and reduce misunderstandings.

This video serves as a resource for late diagnosed autistic individuals, offering insights into common experiences and practical suggestions for managing daily life.

Transcript excerpt

0:00 If you were diagnosed or suspect that you are someone with late diagnosed or a late diagnosis of autism, this video is for you. And I can promise you that you will most likely relate to every single one of these five things. I'm a licensed clinical psychologist and we're going to talk about what those are and I'll offer some suggestions on working on these things and also make probably separate videos about each of them because they're they're such huge topics. So, here are five things that late diagnosed

0:31 autistic adults often think are normal that are actually not so normal. Now, do not diagnose yourself with autism on these five alone, but if you're autistic and are ADHD, you might relate to all of these. And especially when you look at the criteria for diagnosing, these will all be there in some form. Number one, sensory hyper reactivity. Now, autistic and ADHD people can be inclined to also be hypo reactive in

1:04 terms of seeking sensory stimulation, but it seems that there's a much larger percentage of people who are autistic and ADHD, especially for autism, who usually have some reactivity to sensory issues. Now, the common triggers are things like office lighting, sounds, being in a restaurant, people talking super loud, smells, the smell of fertilizer or your stinky pet or, you know, the smell when they repave things outside. And the problem is even things

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