Late Diagnosis in Autism

Late Diagnosis in Autism
A late autism diagnosis can occur when someone is diagnosed with autism at the age of 12 or older. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:
Changes in autism definitions
Gender and racial bias
Unequal healthcare access
Older people being able to mask their symptoms
Lack of ASD-specific knowledge in service providers
Cost of care
Waitlists and wait-times
Late diagnosis can lead to greater mental health difficulties. People who are late diagnosed may have severe emotional, behavioral, and social problems before their diagnosis. They may also have higher levels of these difficulties later in life.
Some people who are late diagnosed may realize they have been masking their autistic traits throughout their lives. This can include: Communication differences, Challenges making or keeping friends, Challenges coping with schoolwork, Feelings of anxiety at school, and Intense or special interests.
After receiving a diagnosis, some people may try to "unmask" to discover their natural autistic characteristics. This can help them understand themselves and put their life together in a way that makes sense.
If you want to pursue a diagnosis, you can talk to your GP, who will usually refer you to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.