The therapist spoke about the hidden signs of autism in adults

Autism in children often manifests itself through pronounced behavioral and communication features, however, in adults these signs may be much less noticeable, but significantly affect the quality of life. Vladislav Konkin, a psychotherapist and supervisor of the Department of Psychotherapists at the Three Sisters Clinic, told Izvestia on April 2, the World Autism Awareness Day.

According to the expert, adults with autism may have difficulty understanding indirect communication, such as hints, irony and flirting. They may also experience increased fatigue from communication and social interactions. According to Konkin, adults with autism often feel the need for predictability and stability in life, and may also have increased or decreased sensitivity to sounds, touch, food, and other sensory stimuli.

"The main difference between adult and child autism is the presence of disguise. An adult may look and be "socially successful," but inside they live at the limit of their resources. Many people spend years learning to "be like everyone else," which leads to anxiety, burnout, and feelings of loneliness," the therapist noted.

As Konkin emphasized, autism is a disorder that a person lives with all their life, and it cannot be cured. According to him, another common myth is the idea that autistic people have no emotions. In fact, there are emotions, but they may be less noticeable to others or expressed in a different way.

Modern methods of working with autism are aimed at increasing resilience and adaptation, rather than at "correcting" a person. The therapist emphasizes that it is important not to force a person to "become normal," but to help him organize his life in accordance with his characteristics. Working with autism, it is important not only to improve understanding of one's own characteristics, but also to create a suitable environment, reduce overloads and create predictable conditions, which can be even more effective than classical psychotherapy, the specialist concluded.

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Medical Xpress magazine reported on March 10 that online formats like communication apps, social media, and gaming platforms can be a source of genuine self-expression and comfort for some adults with autism. In particular, such spaces provide physical relief, which is often not present in personal communication.

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