Autism is a congenital disability with lifelong effects that affect the person in different ways. Autism can be diagnosed as early as infancy, but sometimes the signs are not immediately obvious or understood. This means that some people with autism don't get a diagnosis until they reach their teens or adults. If you often feel different, but don't know why, there's a good chance that you're on the autistic spectrum.
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Part 1 of 4: Observing General Characteristics
Step 1. Think about your reactions to social cues
Autistic people have difficulty understanding subtle cues. This can complicate relationships, from friendships to relationships with coworkers. Consider whether you have experienced anything like the following:
- Difficulty understanding other people's feelings (for example, not being able to tell if someone is too sleepy to chat).
- Being told that your behavior is inappropriate, or shocked to hear about it.
- Not realizing that the other person is tired of chatting and wants to do something else.
- Often wonders about the behavior of others.
Step 2. Ask yourself if you have a hard time understanding other people's thoughts
Although autistic people can feel empathy and care for others, their "cognitive/affective empathy" (the ability to know what others are thinking based on social cues such as tone of voice, body language, or facial expressions) is usually imperfect. Autistic people usually have a hard time picking up on vague clues about other people's thoughts, and this can lead to misunderstandings. They tend to rely on straightforward explanations.
- Autistic people may have a hard time knowing what other people think about things.
- It is difficult for them to detect sarcasm and lies because autistic people do not realize the difference between what other people think and say.
- Autistic people don't always understand nonverbal cues.
- In extreme cases, autistic people have great difficulty with "social imagination" and cannot understand that other people's ideas can differ from their own ("theory of mind").
Step 3. Consider your response to unexpected events
Autistic people usually rely on familiar routines to make them feel stable and secure. Unscheduled changes in routine, unfamiliar new events, and sudden changes in plans can mess them up. If you are autistic, you may have experienced things like these:
- Feeling irritated, scared, or angry about sudden schedule changes.
- Forgetting to do important things (such as eating or taking medication) without a schedule.
- Panic if something doesn't go the way it should.
Step 4. Pay attention to whether you are doing steaming
Stimming, or self-stimulation, is similar to non-stop movement, and is a type of repetitive movement performed to calm oneself, focus attention, express emotions, communicate, and deal with difficult situations. Although everyone can do these repetitive movements, for people with autism it is very important and done more often. If you haven't been diagnosed, this self-stimulation may be mild. You may also have a certain form of stimming that is "automatically" done from childhood if the stimming is criticized by others.
- Flapping or clapping.
- Shake the body.
- Hugging yourself tightly, squeezing your hands, or covering yourself with a pile of thick blankets.
- Tapping toes, pencils, fingers, etc.
- Crashing into an object just for fun.
- Play hair.
- Run, spin, or jump.
- View bright lights, intense colors, or moving GIFs.
- Sing, hum, or listen to a song over and over again.
- Smell soap or perfume.
Step 5. Identify sensory problems
Many autistic people also have a Sensory Processing Disorder (also known as Sensory Integration Disorder). That is, the brain is too sensitive or otherwise not sensitive enough to certain sensory stimuli. You may feel that some senses are highly sensitive, while others are not. Here's an example:
- Seer-Can't stand bright colors or moving objects, doesn't see things like road signs, is attracted to crowded scenes.
- Listener-Covering ears or hiding to avoid loud noises such as vacuum cleaners and crowded places, not looking when spoken to, skipping what others are saying.
- Olfactory-Feels annoyed or nauseous by smells that don't bother others, doesn't notice important smells like gasoline, likes strong smells and also buys soaps and foods that smell the strongest
- taste-Prefers to eat bland or "kid's food" foods, eats very spicy and rich-tasting foods while not liking bland foods, or dislikes trying new foods.
- Touch-Disturbed by certain fabrics or clothing labels, unaware when gently touched or when injured, or palpates constantly.
- Vestibular-Dizziness or nausea in a car or swing, or running and climbing non-stop.
- Proprioceptive -Continuing to feel uncomfortable sensations in bones and organs, bumping into objects, or not feeling hungry or tired.
Step 6. Consider whether you are experiencing a meltdown or shutdown
Meltdown, which is an overreaction and may be misunderstood as a tantrum in childhood, is actually an emotional outburst that occurs when autistic people are no longer able to contain stress. Shutdown is also caused by the same condition, but the effect is to become passive and lose abilities (such as the ability to speak).
Maybe you think of yourself as sensitive, hot-tempered, or immature
Step 7. Think about executive functions
Executive function is the ability to self-organize, manage time, and make smooth transitions. People with autism usually have difficulty with this ability, and may have to use special strategies (such as tight schedules) in order to adjust. The symptoms of executive dysfunction are:
- Not remembering things (such as homework, conversations).
- Forgetting self-care (eating, bathing, combing hair, brushing teeth).
- Lost stuff.
- Procrastination and difficulty managing time.
- Difficult to start tasks and change tools.
- It's hard to keep the place clean by yourself
Step 8. Consider your interests
Autistic people tend to have intense and unusual interests, called special interests. Examples include fire engines, dogs, quantum physics, autism, favorite TV shows, and writing fiction. The intensity of this special interest is very high, and for them, finding a new special interest can sometimes feel like falling in love. Here are some signs that your interests are stronger than the interests of others:
- Talked about a special interest for a long time, and wanted to share it with others.
- Can concentrate on interests for hours until you lose track of time
- Organize information you enjoy doing, such as charts, tables, and spreadsheets.
- Can write/spoke long and detailed explanations of the intricacies of interest, like by heart, maybe even include quotes.
- Feel excited and happy to enjoy the interest.
- Correct people who have knowledge of the subject in question.
- Anxious when you want to talk about your interests for fear that people will not like hearing it.
Step 9. Think about how easily you speak or process other people's speech
Autism is usually associated with difficulties in spoken language, with different intensities from person to person. If you are autistic, you may experience some of the following:
- Learn to talk after a bit (or not at all).
- Loss of ability to speak when tense.
- It's hard to find the words.
- Take long pauses in conversation to think.
- Avoiding difficult conversations because you're not sure you can express yourself.
- Difficulty understanding speech when the atmosphere is different, such as in an auditorium or from a film without subtitles.
- Not remembering spoken information, especially long lists.
- Takes extra time to process speech (for example, not reacting in time to commands like "Catch!")
Step 10. Watch your face
One study found that autistic people have typical facial characteristics, namely a wide upper face, large and far apart eyes, a short nose/cheek area, and a wide mouth, in other words like a "baby face". Maybe you look younger than your actual age, or other people find you attractive/cute.
- Not all autistic people have these facial features. Maybe only a little is reflected on your face.
- An unusual airway (double branching of the bronchi) is also found in people with autism. Their lungs are normal, with a double branch at the end of the airway.
Part 2 of 4: Finding Information on the Internet
Step 1. Search the internet for autism quizzes
Since quizzes in Indonesian are still limited, you can try the AQ and RAADS quizzes which can give you an idea of whether you are on the autism spectrum. This quiz cannot replace a professional diagnosis, but it can help.
There are several professional questionnaires also available on the internet
Step 2. Choose an organization that is operated mostly or wholly by autistic people, such as the Autism Self-Advocacy Network and the Autism Women's Network
These organizations provide a clearer view of autism than organizations operated exclusively by parents or families. Autistic people understand their lives best, and can provide experiential information.
Avoid toxic and negative organizations. Some groups related to autism say many terrible things about autistic people, and can encourage pseudoscience, i.e. false beliefs believed to be the result of the scientific method. Autism Speaks is an example of an organization using disaster rhetoric. Look for organizations that provide a balanced view, and empower autistic people, instead of ignoring them
Step 3. Read the work of autistic authors
Many autistic people like blogs as a place to communicate freely. Many blog writers discuss the symptoms of autism and offer advice for people wondering if they too are on the autism spectrum.
Step 4. Use social media
Many autistic people can be found with the hashtags #ActuallyAutistic and #AskAnAutistic. In general, the autistic community is very welcoming of people who ask if they are autistic, or who self-diagnose.
Step 5. Begin seeking therapy
What therapy do autistic people sometimes need? Is there a therapy that can help you?
- Remember that every autistic person is different. The type of therapy that works for one person may not work for you, and the type of therapy that doesn't work for another may be able to help you.
- Remember that some therapies, especially Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), can be abused. Avoid therapies that seem punitive, obedience-based, or cruel. Your goal is to empower yourself through therapy, not to be more submissive or easily controlled by others.
Step 6. Look for information about similar conditions
Autism can be accompanied by sensory processing problems, anxiety (including OCD or obsessive-impulsive disorder, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety), epilepsy, digestive problems, depression, ADHD (attention and hyperactivity disorder), sleeplessness, and various types of physical and mental illness. mentally. See if you may have some of these conditions.
- Is there a chance that you think you are autistic, when you actually have another condition?
- Is there any chance you have autism AND another condition? Or even some other condition?
Part 3 of 4: Correcting Misconceptions
Step 1. Remember that autism is congenital and lifelong
Autism is mostly or completely genetic, and begins in the womb (although signs in behavior are not apparent until infancy or later). People born with autism will always be autistic. However, there is nothing to be afraid of. Autistic people's lives will be better with the right support, and it is possible for autistic adults to lead happy and fulfilling lives.
- The most popular myth about the cause of autism is vaccines, which many studies have debunked. This misconception was fostered by one researcher who falsified data and concealed a financial conflict of interest. The results of his study were completely refuted and the researcher lost his license due to malpractice.
- Reports on the number of autism are not increasing as more people are born with autism. The number is increasing because people are better able to identify with autism, especially women and people of color.
- Autistic children will grow up as autistic adults. Stories of "curing" from autism come from people who can hide signs of autism (and as a result may suffer from mental health problems) or people who are not autistic.
Step 2. Recognize that autistic people are not necessarily devoid of empathy
Autistic people may struggle with the cognitive part of empathy, but are still caring and kind to others. Many autistic people:
- very empathetic.
- can empathize well, but doesn't always understand social cues and so doesn't understand other people's feelings.
- lacks empathy, but still cares for others and is a good person.
- hope people don't talk about empathy.
Step 3. Recognize that the notion that autism is a disaster is wrong
Autism is not a disease, not a burden, and not a life-destroying disorder. Many autistic people lead useful, productive, and happy lives. Autistic people write books, start organizations, organize national or international events, and make the world a better place in many ways. Autistic people who cannot live alone or work can still improve the world with kindness and love.
Step 4. Don't assume that autistic people are lazy or intentionally rude
Autistic people have to try harder to conform to the many expectations of decency in society. Sometimes they fail. Those who realized it apologized, but someone should be told they were wrong. Negative assumptions are the fault of the assumption maker, not the autistic person.
Step 5. Realize that autism is an explanation, not an excuse
When autism is discussed after a dispute, it is an explanation of the autistic person's behavior, not an attempt to avoid consequences.
- For example, "I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. I'm autistic, I didn't know it was rude to call someone fat. I thought you were beautiful, and I picked this flower for you. Please accept my apologies."
- Usually, people who complain about autism as an "excuse" may have met bad people, or don't like the autistic person to exist and have the right to an opinion. This is a cruel and destructive assumption. Don't let this affect your overall view of autistic people.
Step 6. Eliminate the notion that there is something wrong with stimming
Stimming is a natural mechanism that helps autistic people calm down, concentrate, prevent meltdowns, and express feelings. Forbidding autistic people to stimulate is wrong and will have a bad effect. There are only a few bad examples of stimming, such as the following:
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Causing harm or pain to the body.
For example, banging your head, biting yourself, or hitting your body. This can be replaced by other stimuli, such as shaking the head or biting a padded bracelet.
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Annoying others.
For example, playing with someone's hair without permission is a bad idea. Autistic or not, everyone should respect their fellow human beings.
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Prevent other people from working.
Maintaining silence in places that require concentration is especially important, such as schools, offices, and libraries. If the other person has to focus on something, it's best to do light stimulation or go somewhere that doesn't require silence.
Step 7. Stop thinking of autism as a puzzle to be solved
Autistic people are normal people too. They add diversity and meaningful perspective to the world. There's nothing wrong with them.
Part 4 of 4: Consulting Others
Step 1. Ask your autistic friend (if it's not there, try to find one)
Explain that you may be autistic, and want to see if they find any signs of autism in you. They may ask questions to find out what you're going through.
Step 2. Ask your parents or guardians how you have been doing since childhood
Explain that you are curious about childhood and when you reached important developmental points. Usually, autistic children are a bit late to reach a critical point of their growth, or not sequentially.
- Ask if there are any childhood videos you can watch. Look for stimming and other signs of autism in children.
- Also consider achievements in late childhood and adolescence, such as learning to swim, cycle, cook, clean the bathroom, wash clothes, and drive a car.
Step 3. Show articles about signs of autism (such as this one) to close friends or family
Explain that when you read it, you looked in the mirror at yourself. Ask if they see these signs in you too. Autistic people are sometimes not so able to understand themselves that maybe others can see what they are not aware of.
Remember that no one can understand what's in your head. They may not see the adjustments you make to appear more "normal." So they don't realize that your brain works differently. Some autistic people can make friends and interact with other people without anyone knowing they are autistic
Step 4. Talk to the family once you feel ready
Consider seeing a specialist for a diagnosis. There are several insurances that cover therapy, such as speech, occupational, and sensory integration therapy. A good therapist can help you improve your ability to adjust to a world populated mostly by nonnautical people.
