"Losing" an autism diagnosis

A study out of the Netherlands found that 26% of a sample of 170 children who were diagnosed with high functioning autism as children no longer met diagnostic criteria in adolescence.

[@trevorlane8123]

I’ve never been diagnosed with ASD but i was diagnosed with ADHD and Depression/Anxiety in my 20s. I’ve always wondered what was wrong with me and why my life has been so difficult. Recently I’ve came to realize I may have other neurodiverse attributes that have existed under the radar because of masking behaviors. Everything is beginning to make sense for the first time in my life I feel like I can (at least to myself) explain why I have acted the way I have and made the choices I’ve made. I’ve also v struggled with substance abuse since I was 16 and have used drugs to feel ‘normal’ I believe what society needs is more experts on ASD and the links to ADHD and substance abuse. I wouldn’t be surprised if a majority of addicts were actually neurodiverse and only use drugs to suppress their minds and emotions.

[@RatsPicklesandMusic]

You can't become non-autistic... You can learn to compensate and avoid issues in so many ways (I'm assuming especially is the IQ is higher to begin with).

[@gmlpc7132]

What we may be seeing in those cases where someone supposedly "grows out" of autism are problems with the reliability of diagnosis. As autism is a lifelong condition this is impossible so those individuals were either wrongly diagnosed as autistic in the past or wrongly non-diagnosed in the present. It is true that symptoms and difficulties may ease or intensify given life conditions. Some autistic people will become more settled and accepted at school and seem to cope better but then struggle badly in employment. Some may cope better in certain jobs or if they have supportive others around them. However in all these cases of "improvement" the autism is still there, the context has changed.

[@Slipstarroffical]

after seeing these goofy ass comments im convinced im not autistic

[@magillapole]

This was a nicely delivered summary of a (probably) arcanely-worded scientific study. Thanks for boiling it down for us regular folks.

[@toreym.6608]

Or they were just masking

[@brendansstorytime7552]

Thanks for sharing this. Can you please also share the link of this paper/study? I am really interested in this. My three years old was diagnosed with mild Autism last week!

[@LowlyEidolon]

10 years ago. Still somewhat relevant to the modern world

[@enaharrigan3814]

Is there cure let me know

[@Slipstarroffical]

i might have been autistic when i was younger but now im just psychotic

[@zumaone3692]

I'm 57 and still autistic

[@chillingwithchills2769]

Legend👍🍻

[@shockthetoast]

And did the study discuss how the qualities associated with those who "outgrew" autism sound a lot like qualities of people who might be quite good at masking...?

[@amandaweiss9664]

I'm trying to move off the spectrum too

[@amybruscato4619]

So it was a misdiagnosis. There are many diagnoses that have similar symptoms as autism.

[@blakegarritson1056]

No it means they dont show symptoms... thats a good thing... doesn't mean its gone..

[@enaharrigan3814]

Can you outgrow this for life is there a cure

[@nathandrakeftw381]

Well said. One of the things I see on the internet is people on the spectrum can "mask" their autistic traits. This goes against the definition of autism entirely because autistic people have problems recognizing facial expressions, body language, and in some instances have a bizarre way of speaking. Autistic people cannot read other peoples facial expressions or "act" normal because they are autistic! I'm so glad someone is speaking out on the blatant over diagnosis of autism.

[@Eryniell]

it's interesting this video is from 11 years ago and we are actually seeing alot of what happens after: burnout, extreme burnout from trying hard to fit in and adapt to their surroundings. Their surroundings usually not being aware of it until it's too late, because they have learned to hide their difficulties to not stand out too much in society and to be able to be independent, treated fairly(as much as possible) and to be able to get a job, friends etc.

[@amberjohnson1082]

I regret watching this video......this was horrible!