About Autism
Sometimes referred to as autism spectrum disorder or condition (autism) is a developmental condition that affects communication and behaviour.
Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is said to be a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life. However, it commonly takes much longer to recognise and diagnose someone as autistic.
Según la Manual diagnóstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales (DSM-5)Las personas con TEA tienen:
- Dificultad para comunicarse e interactuar con otras personas
- Intereses restringidos y comportamientos repetitivos
- Symptoms that impact the person’s ability to function in school, work, and other areas of life
Autism is known as a “spectrum” condition because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience throughout their lives at different times. Autism occurs in all ethnic, racial, and economic groups. Although it can bring lifelong challenges, support and adjustments can improve a person’s symptoms and ability to function well and live a happy, healthy life.
Signs and Symptoms of Autism
Los comportamientos de comunicación / interacción social pueden incluir
- Contacto visual escaso o inconsistente
- Tendencia a no mirar ni escuchar a la gente
- Rara vez comparte el disfrute de objetos o actividades señalando o mostrando cosas a los demás.
- No responder, o hacerlo con lentitud, a alguien que le llama por su nombre o a otros intentos verbales de llamar su atención.
- Tener dificultades con las idas y venidas de la conversación
- Hablar largo y tendido sobre un tema favorito sin darse cuenta de que los demás no están interesados o sin dar a los demás la oportunidad de responder.
- Expresiones faciales, movimientos y gestos que no coinciden con lo que se está diciendo.
- Tener un tono de voz inusual que puede sonar cantarín o plano y robótico.
- Tener problemas para entender el punto de vista de otra persona o ser incapaz de predecir o comprender las acciones de otras personas.
Los comportamientos restrictivos / repetitivos pueden incluir:
- Repeating certain behaviours or exhibiting behaviours which may seem unusual to others. For example, repeating words or phrases, which is called echolalia or making repeated movements such as flapping or spinning, which is called stimming.
- Tener un interés intenso y duradero por determinados temas, como los números, los detalles o los hechos.
- Having overly focused interests, such as moving objects or parts of objects
- Getting upset by any changes in routine
- Ser más o menos sensible que otras personas a estímulos sensoriales como la luz, el ruido, la ropa o la temperatura.
Autistic people may also experience sleep problems and irritability.
Although autistic people experience many challenges, they may also have many strengths, including:
- Capacidad para aprender cosas en detalle y recordar información durante largos periodos de tiempo.
- Ser grandes aprendices visuales y auditivos
- Excelling in maths, science, music, or art
Every autistic person is individual and has their own strengths
Risk factors
While scientists don’t know the exact causes of autism, research suggests that genes can act together with influences from the environment to affect development in ways that lead to autism
Although scientists are still trying to understand why some people are autistic and other aren’t, some things make it more likely, such as:
- Having an autistic sibling or an autistic parent
- Tener padres mayores
- Having certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and Rett syndrome
- Muy bajo peso al nacer
Diagnosing Autism
Doctors diagnose autism by looking at a person’s behaviour and development. It is important for those with concerns to seek out assessment as soon as possible so that a diagnosis can be made, and support and adjustments can be put in place.
Diagnosing autism in adults is often more difficult than diagnosing autism in children. In adults, some autism symptoms can overlap with symptoms of other mental-health disorders, such as anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is why we conduct a mental health review by an experienced psychiatrist to confirm the diagnosis and ensure that other mental health disorders are not causing similar symptoms. Additionally, treatment for underlying mental health disorders can be provided. Although it is important to note that you can be autistic and also have mental health diagnoses.
Adults who notice the signs and symptoms of autism should talk with a doctor and ask for a referral for an autism assessment. While testing for autism in adults is an ever changing process, referrals typically come from the General Practitioner or a secondary mental health team.
Parte del proceso puede incluir una evaluación de cribado. El experto preguntará sobre cuestiones como:
- Interacción social y problemas de comunicación
- Problemas sensoriales
- Comportamientos repetitivos
- Intereses restringidos
Information about the adult’s developmental history will help in making an accurate diagnosis, so an autism evaluation may include talking with parents or other family members.
Getting a correct diagnosis of autism as an adult can help a person understand past difficulties, identify his or her strengths, and obtain the right kind of help. Studies are now underway to determine the types of services and support that are most helpful for improving the functioning and community integration of autistic young people and adults
Algunas personas experimentan dificultades en etapas posteriores de su vida, como problemas laborales, matrimoniales o de salud mental.
Changes to the diagnosis of autism
En 2013 se publicó una versión revisada de la Manual diagnóstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales (DSM) . Esta revisión cambió la forma de clasificar y diagnosticar el autismo. Con la versión anterior del DSM, las personas podían ser diagnosticadas de uno de varios trastornos distintos:
- Trastorno autista
- Síndrome de Asperger
- Trastorno generalizado del desarrollo no especificado (TGD-NOS)
In the current revised version of the DSM (the DSM-5), these separate conditions have been combined into one diagnosis called “autism spectrum disorder.” Using the DSM-5, for example, people who were previously diagnosed as having Asperger’s syndrome would now be diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or, as preferred by many autistic people, autism spectrum condition (ASC).
Although the “official” diagnosis of autism has changed, there is nothing wrong with continuing to use terms such as Asperger’s syndrome to describe oneself or to identify with a peer group if you wish.
Haz el test del autismo
Si le preocupa que pueda ser autista, siga el enlace y rellene el cuestionario de 10 puntos del cociente autista (AQ10) disponible en el sitio web del NICE.
Se trata del cuestionario de cribado que debe cumplimentarse antes de que el médico de cabecera remita al paciente a un servicio de diagnóstico del autismo. aquí.
Skylight Psychiatry’s Autism Diagnostic Process Overview
Proporcionamos más detalles en nuestro paquete de registro para todos los pacientes que están siendo evaluados.
What to expect during your autism assessment:
Primer paso We get to know you
We start by gathering information about you, your experiences, and what has led you to seek an assessment. Please tell us if there is anything that would make the assessment process easier for you. We will do our best to make reasonable adjustments.
Paso 2 We follow national guidance
Your assessment follows NICE guidance, which means it is carried out in line with recognised national standards.
Paso 3 You complete questionnaires and meet with a clinician
You will be asked to complete questionnaires and talk with a clinician about your mental health, past experiences, physical health, and day-to-day life (usually a virtual appointment)
Paso 4 We look at your early development and current presentation
Where possible, we may ask someone who knew you as a child to share information about your early development. You will also complete a second appointment, which is an observational assessment such as the ADOS-2 (In person appointment)
Step 5 Our clinical team reviews everything carefully
A team of experienced clinicians reviews all the information gathered. A consultant psychiatrist is involved in reaching the final diagnostic outcome.
Step 6 You will receive your diagnostic outcome and, if diagnosed, a link to our post diagnostic resource hub
A few weeks after your diagnostic outcome email, you will receive a full report explaining the assessment outcome and the reasons for it. We also provide a shorter version that we share with your referring GP and that you can choose to share with others.
Step 7 You access the post diagnostic support hub at your own time and pace
A link will be sent to you, please keep this safe so you can access the resource and support hub at any time.
Step 8 Further support after diagnosis
If you feel a dedicated post diagnostic support (PDS) session with us would be valuable to you, you will be invited to complete a PDS Discussion Planner. This will enable our staff to ensure your session is meaningful and covers the topics you feel you need support with. Time is limited so we want to ensure you get the most out of your session. There is a waiting list for PDS sessions which you will be added to once you’ve completed your PDS Discussion Planner.