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Autism/Can a adult get autism?

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Expert: - 1/26/2012


Question
Hello. Many thanks for your help. The son of a friend of mine began to show symptons of autism about 20. The child was lively and active, perfectly normal in every aspect. However, when he was in college, he began to show typical symptons of autsim: for example, impaired social interaction and communication and restricted and repetitive behavior. The child is now a young man of 30, who appears to live in his own world. He does not respond to any one. He doesn't watch TV or play computer. He locks himself in his room doing nothing but reading, only going to the kitchen for food at specific times. His illness appears to be autism but from all the information I read about autsim, it's an mental illness that begins at the age of 2 or 3. I have not read any cases of an adult developing autism.
The child's father has not yet sought medical help. As a friend, I would like to know if this young man is indeed having autism. If I am to suggest seeking medical help, where do you suggest to go?

Answer
Hi Erik

You are correct that to be a diagnosis of autism, it has to have developed by the age of 3. So therefore, this man either had signs before but they were slight and not picked up on or he has developed an another illness of some sort

Also, autism is not a mental illness but rather a developmental disability. It is possible that this man has developed a mental illness. I would highly advise an evaluation by a psychiatrist.

Good luck and let me know what you find out

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Valerie Herskowitz

Expertise

I am an autism expert and speech pathologist (for over 30 years). I am also the parent of a child with autism. I can answer any question on autism dealing with communication, education, behavior and diet. I cannot answer questions that are medical in nature or are dealing with medications.

Experience

I have run a therapy center for individuals with autism since 1981. I lecture all over the country. I also teach classes on autism on line.

Organizations
Vice President of Communications Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Member American Speech and Hearing Association, MembernAutism Society of America, President of the National Autism Registry, Vice President of the Association for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Adolescents.

Publications
Autism Society of America's national publication (September 2008). Advance Magazine, South Florida Parenting, Spectrum Magazine, I am the author of: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology (available:www.valerieherskowitz.com)

Education/Credentials
I have a masters degree in speech pathology

Awards and Honors
I won a Stevie Award in 2004: Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with individuals with autism. My therapy center won, Judge's Choice Award Best Center in South Florida by South Florida Parenting magazine 2005.

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