Does this sound like you or someone you know?
Mike is a 29 year old man who has been employed in several jobs in the information technology industry. Despite several relationships and a desire to settle down, he is still single. Mike was a fairly good student in high school and college and was a decent swimmer and runner. Although he was on his high school track team and computer club, he didn’t have what he would call close friends. He dated a few girls, but something always seemed to get in the way, and the relationships ended. He never really understood what it was that went wrong and chalked it up to bad luck. When he was younger, he remembered being teased a lot, but never knew why.
On the job, he’s a good worker—punctual and precise—but he seems to get passed over when it comes to promotions. He’s never figured out what others do to move up. Lately he’s been feeling lonely and maybe a little depressed. It’s like everyone else knows a secret that he can’t figure out. He wants a change but doesn’t know where to start.
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may have received a diagnosis of:
- ADD or ADHD
- Intellectual Disability, Mental Retardation or Learning Disability
- Adjustment Disorder
- Conduct Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder, Affective Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Auditory or Sensory Processing Disorder, Dyspraxia
As a young child:
- Language development or communication is not typical
- Speech is often delayed or use of repetitive phrases
- Avoids social contact with peers or seems uninterested
- May not show pretend play or use toys in the typical way
Beginning school:
- Enters school speaking well
- Tolerates social contact, but often has few “real friends”
- May seem “socially awkward” or socially immature
Later childhood, adolescence and young adulthood:
- May develop intense focus on “special interests”
- May interact socially, but be viewed as “different” by others
- May be anxious and unsure in social situations
- May seem socially immature to others
- May be placed in learning support for social, behavioral or academic reasons
- May become socially isolated, anxious, confused, depressed or angry
- May not have satisfying adult relationships and not understand why
- Seems not to get the “big picture” in social situations—embarrasses others
- Speaks “too frankly” in social situations and embarrasses others
Adapted from: Autism Center of Excellence (ACE), 2009. Used with Permission.