Autism Diagnosis at 21 Years Old

Doctors diagnosed Lydia Wayman with anxiety and depression before a friend finally noticed the signs of autism.

[dominewimbury]

I got diagnosed with it at 21 too. That didn't get in the press!

[umberdandelion]

Lol people have been diagnosed in their 50s. My father only discovered that he was on the autistic spectrum just now, in his 40s. Also, girls are often underdiagnosed.

[charlienonya]

I think autism is A LOT more common than is acknowledged not only by doctors but by those with it themselves.  I'm sure it's a difficult path to travel though.  She and those like her are brave.

[HondaCB]

I am now 36 and was diagnosed at 35. A close family friend suggested I may have Autism. Even a work colleague suggested I have it and she has a grandson on the spectrum. I then decided to read up on Autism and the more I read, I realised I have all the characteristics. When I finally got my diagnosis, I was so relieved. My dad always said I was unusual and at school, I was called the weird kid. I hate noise and often get over stimulated to the point I just want to lash out.

[thechelseachannel]

When he mentioned the last part of feeling like people are looking through you judging you I feel that all the time

[YxYzYx]

I just got diagnosed on the spectrum at 26. I’ve had previous diagnosis of bipolar disorder, various depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders.

[casualintrovert]

22 here. I've found out on my own around 3 years ago and I've been learning more about it since then. I failed all grades of elementary school, but my vocabulary was perfect. I just couldn't give a care to do anything other than the things I was interested in at the time, which was and still is music. Although my vocabulary and readhing comprehension was well ahead of everyone in my grade levels, math was an intense struggle for me. I'd often break down when I couldn't solve a math problem, especially when i'd see everyone else understand it so easily. I'd have to lie to my teachers about why I didn't do my homework out of avoiding embarrassing myself some more, at least looking back on it that's what I think it was. I was actually diagnosed with ADD as a kid, and I do have those quirks still but I've since come to realize that MANY other parts of my childhood can be well explained under the umbrella of the autism spectrum, like the breakdowns I talked about. I'd always have a hard time socializing with people. Many of the things that people do naturally when socializing with others never really came quick for me, however I always found myself having a better time talking with adults than I did with children/teens my age, for some reason.

[emcohnway]

When they started using autism speaks as a source they lost me. It's crazy that even professionals still use it and don't acknowledge the fact that it's a hate group

[Wohol]

My son was diagnosed at 17yrs old.. It's so hard to deal with the public. He has been let go from jobs because he likes to talk.

[thegreatrin]

I was 21 when I started seeing a new therapist and he was the first person to suggest that I may very well be on the autism spectrum. My mother never had me tested for any of that sort of stuff when I was a kid. From what I've been told it can be very difficult to diagnose autism in adults and so far I have not been officially diagnosed as I'm not even sure how to go about it. Having an actual diagnosis would be a huge weight off my shoulders, I could actually explain to people why I am the way I am.

[JangoFettFan]

I didn’t get diagnosed with autism and ADHD until I was 4 or 5 years old. Right now I’m 18 years old, and there’s a lot of advantages of having autism and ADHD. The only thing that me and other people with autism and ADHD have challenges with is social life. I’m very close to graduating high school and going to college thankfully.

[auburneytuckerson]

I was never diagnosed because I spoke intelligently, but I have sensory problems with sound, and it started at 14 because i was clogged up for years until my ears finally opened up. All noises vame crashing down on me at once in 8th grade, and i was often crying and banging my head. Growing up, certain textures feel uncomfortable or offensive, and i usually avoid them. Right now, I'm 18, and noise STILL tortures the sanity out of me. I'm hopong to get diagnosed somewhere. If only there was a place in Arkansas that diagnoses adults...

[marcusrosales]

I was tested for Autism as a baby, but the doctors said naw he's good. At the age of 25 I got tested again, and yup I wasn't good :(

[theexplorer]

So....being diagnosed later in life is news stories now? I was diagnosed later in life at the age of 22 with Asperger's, OCD and learning disabilities. I didn't have my story heralded as some brave hero. (I don't mean to rain on this girls parade, but there's bigger stories out there and thousands of undiagnosed folks with autism out there so it shouldn't be a big deal.)

[renzeewhite]

I was diagnosed early I cant remember I hate loud noises and I am socially awkward towards strangers and I also pull my hair out when I am bored/stressed

[mysticqueen]

I got diagnosed when I was about 2 and 1/2; I sorta struggle in organization, as well as (as I discovered in high school), REALLY struggled with subjects like Physics and Chemistry. I was decent at math, but it didn't interest me. I've pretty much always been interested in fiction books and creative writing and acting and performing. Those areas are where my talents lie. Honestly I'm not exactly good at any "secure" positions, such as an office clerk or a barista (When I said secure, I mean in comparison to theatre and writing as professions), which kinda sucks, but better to put all of my energy into something I love than on something I can't stand.

[yoan]

I on some days can barely open my eyes, the slighest of light ray blinds me, noises seem amplified.
I went to a doctor for the eyes: every thing normal.
Then got my ears checked: all normal.

While watching this video (because I have a relative with autism and wanted to learn more), I notice I had the same visual and hearing overload problems.

I will talk to my doctor, I don't think I have autism, but this interview made me doubt now.

[danielhill]

My daughter was just Diagnosed with the exactly the same, and she is not 21 years old too - her story sounds exactly the same. She has been Deaf since birth, so everything just thought the issues were part of her quirkiness; now it all makes sense - hope with this official diagnoses she can now get the additional help she needs to adapt...

[bruceshideler]

I have a high functioning form of autism called Aspergers. Food texture is very important to me. For that reason I don't like figs, avocados, persimmons, okra and other exotic foods.

[vivianasong]

I have a grandson that is 11. He is so difficult. Way withdrawn. Its so frustrating. This sounds so much like it. He is very absorbed in himself. Wow!