A few questions for autists?

1. I developed normally, but have, starting at about 15 years, had an increase in autistic symptoms. Sensory processing, mostly, but it's getting worse as time goes on. I'm 18 now, and can barely function. I hardly ever leave my room because the noise and my vision make it hard. Smells and tastes are suddenly too much for me, I can barely eat.
I was a normal kid, developmentally, though. Is this something that happens?

2. I have ear plugs for sound. Is there anything you recommend to help with visual and taste issues?

3. With the increase in symptoms, my ability to 'act normal' is decreasing. I do things that are weird, my posture is weird from being tense so much, I can't have a normal conversation. It wasn't like this before. Does autism get worse with age? Is that typical?

I have an appointment with a psychiatrist in two days, but I'm stressed and posting on here might help me till then. Thank you for your time.

Going by what doctors say, classic autism symptoms must be present before a diagnosis of autism can be made. Asperger's signs show up later than classic autism. That was before they changed autism, Asperger's, and PDD-NOS all to Autism Spectrum Disorders of course. I don't know why they changed the definition. Doctors I know and people I work with still refer to them as autism, Asperger's, and PDD-NOS. We can't just say we all have autism. It doesn't make sense. That's my opinion. Good luck with the doctor.

The best case fot you is to talk with doctors and your parents about you state. Hope you will be fine.

You need to present with symptoms as a child. However, I encourage you to analyze your childhood. You might not have been as "normal" as you thought.

As we grow older, sometimes we get worse. Why? Everything changes socially. It's hard for us to be an adult at 18, and we are developmentally behind as well as emotionally. A lot of us say we are about half of our age in our brains. We are kind of thrown into the world and we aren't ready. A lot of our symptoms increase when we are teenagers.

Visual would be sunglasses or hat with a visor. Taste is... ugh. Avoid foods. It's alright to do this.

I can't be normal anymore. My filter is off a lot. My ability to "act" has diminished as I've gotten older, and people have gotten more complicated. When you were a kid, you didn't need to do much to fit in or "act". Just take your life slowly now and work on social skills.

Torleelaa wrote:You need to present with symptoms as a child. However, I encourage you to analyze your childhood. You might not have been as "normal" as you thought.

As we grow older, sometimes we get worse. Why? Everything changes socially. It's hard for us to be an adult at 18, and we are developmentally behind as well as emotionally. A lot of us say we are about half of our age in our brains. We are kind of thrown into the world and we aren't ready. A lot of our symptoms increase when we are teenagers.

Visual would be sunglasses or hat with a visor. Taste is... ugh. Avoid foods. It's alright to do this.

I can't be normal anymore. My filter is off a lot. My ability to "act" has diminished as I've gotten older, and people have gotten more complicated. When you were a kid, you didn't need to do much to fit in or "act". Just take your life slowly now and work on social skills.

wise words

A bit of historical context on autism terminology, re: the switch from autism, aspergers, and PDD-NOS. Before Aspergers was recognized as a diagnosis, the first autism diagnosis was given to Donald Triplett. Donald, who is still alive, would today probably be considered very "high functioning." I'm not personally a big fan of functioning labels, but since it's common terminology I'm going to use it here. Donald graduated college, lives on his own, drives, and engages in social activities regularly. Basically, the autism case that set the precedent for the autism diagnosis doesn't really look like what we currently characterize as "classic" autism. Hopefully that makes the terminology change make a little more sense. Autism is a spectrum and people who may seem "high functioning" in some ways may seem very "low functioning" in others, and vice versa. Trying to draw lines between autism and aspergers (and PDD-NOS) is really difficult and really isn't as helpful as it seems at first glance. If people choose to self-identify as having aspergers of PDD-NOS that's understandable, but I do genuinely think that from a diagnostic perspective autism spectrum disorder is a more helpful term.

Anyways, it's possible that you had autistic symptoms as a child but were never diagnosed. Some people don't realize they have autism symptoms until they are older because they are suddenly forced into more social situations, and forced to deal with more responsibilities in caring for themselves.

Also, check out autism burnout, it can help explain why autism suddenly seems to get worse.

It's also possible that you aren't autistic, but have sensory processing disorder.

In any case, sunglasses can help with light, and I know some people prefer incandescent light or natural light to fluorescent lights (this isn't the case for me, natural light is extremely painful for me, but it works for some people).

Also, look for sensory experiences that help ground you, such as soothing textures or sounds.