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.

De acordo com o Manual de Diagnóstico e Estatística das Perturbações Mentais (DSM-5)As pessoas com PEA têm:

  • Dificuldade de comunicação e interação com outras pessoas
  • Interesses limitados e comportamentos 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

Os comportamentos de comunicação/interação social podem incluir

  • Estabelecer pouco ou nenhum contacto visual
  • Tendência para não olhar ou ouvir as pessoas
  • Raramente partilha o prazer de objectos ou actividades apontando ou mostrando coisas aos outros
  • Não responder, ou demorar a responder, a alguém que chama o seu nome ou a outras tentativas verbais de chamar a atenção
  • Ter dificuldades com o vai e vem da conversa
  • Falar frequentemente e demoradamente sobre um assunto preferido sem se aperceber de que os outros não estão interessados ou sem dar aos outros a oportunidade de responder
  • Ter expressões faciais, movimentos e gestos que não correspondem ao que está a ser dito
  • Ter um tom de voz invulgar, que pode soar a canto ou a voz plana e robótica
  • Ter dificuldade em compreender o ponto de vista de outra pessoa ou ser incapaz de prever ou compreender as acções de outras pessoas

Os comportamentos restritivos / repetitivos podem 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.
  • Ter um interesse intenso e duradouro por determinados assuntos, como números, pormenores ou factos
  • Having overly focused interests, such as moving objects or parts of objects
  • Getting upset by any changes in routine
  • Ser mais ou menos sensível do que outras pessoas a estímulos sensoriais, como a luz, o ruído, a roupa ou a temperatura

Autistic people may also experience sleep problems and irritability.

Although autistic people experience many challenges, they may also have many strengths, including:

  • Ser capaz de aprender coisas em pormenor e recordar informações durante longos períodos de tempo
  • Ser um forte aprendiz visual e auditivo
  • 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
  • Ter pais mais velhos
  • Having certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and Rett syndrome
  • Peso muito baixo à nascença

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.

Terapia

Parte do processo pode incluir uma avaliação de rastreio. O perito irá perguntar sobre preocupações, tais como:

  • Interação social e desafios de comunicação
  • Problemas sensoriais
  • Comportamentos repetitivos
  • Interesses restritos

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

Algumas pessoas passam por dificuldades mais tarde na sua vida, tais como dificuldades no trabalho, dificuldades no casamento ou problemas de saúde mental.

Changes to the diagnosis of autism

Em 2013, uma versão revista do Manual de Diagnóstico e Estatística das Perturbações Mentais (DSM) foi lançada. Esta revisão alterou a forma como o autismo era classificado e diagnosticado. Na versão anterior do DSM, as pessoas podiam ser diagnosticadas com uma de várias doenças distintas:

  • Perturbação autista
  • Síndroma de Asperger
  • Perturbação pervasiva do desenvolvimento não especificada (PDD-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.

Praia

Fazer o Teste de Autismo

Se estiver preocupado com a possibilidade de ser autista, siga a ligação e preencha o questionário de 10 pontos do quociente de autismo (AQ10) disponível no sítio Web do NICE.

Este é o questionário de rastreio que deve ser preenchido antes de qualquer encaminhamento por um médico de clínica geral para qualquer serviço de diagnóstico do autismo aqui.

Skylight Psychiatry’s Autism Diagnostic Process Overview

Fornecemos mais pormenores no nosso pacote de registo para todos os pacientes que estão a ser avaliados.

What to expect during your autism assessment:

Passo 1 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.

Passo 2 We follow national guidance

Your assessment follows NICE guidance, which means it is carried out in line with recognised national standards.

Passo 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)

Passo 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.