Understand autism in adolescents – symptoms, diagnosis and support

Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder, affects millions of people worldwide, including adolescents. It is characterized by a series of behavioral and development problems that can significantly affect the daily life of a person. In their transition to adolescence, adolescents with autism face unique challenges that can affect their social interaction, their communicative skills and general welfare.

Adolescents with autism usually have difficulty interacting socially, which prevents them from developing in the complex social dynamics of adolescence. This can cause feelings of isolation, loneliness and social anxiety. In addition, they may have difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication, which makes it difficult for them to express their thoughts and emotions effectively.

Important: Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that it affects people in different degrees. Each teenager with autism is unique, with their own strengths and challenges. Therefore, it is essential to address your attention and support individually.

In addition, sensory sensibilities and repetitive behaviors are frequent in people with autism. For adolescents, these sensory sensibilities can be overwhelming and cause sensory overload in environments such as classrooms or crowded spaces. Repeative behaviors, such as rocking or stirring hands, can serve as sel f-scratch mechanisms for people with autism, but can also attract unwanted attention or stigmatization.

1. Deterioration of social interactions
2. Communication difficulties
3. Sensory sensibilities and repetitive behaviors

Understanding Autism in Teens

Adolescents with autism usually present a series of behaviors and symptoms that can hinder their daily functioning and their social interactions. These may include difficulties with communication and social interaction, repetitive behaviors, sensory sensibilities and restricted interests. Each individual with autism can experience these challenges in different degrees, so it is crucial to develop personalized interventions and strategies to meet their unique needs.

Communication and social interaction: Many adolescents with autism have difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication skills, such as maintaining visual contact, understanding social signals and properly expressing emotions. They can also have difficulty starting and maintaining friendships and showing socially strange behaviors.

Repetitive behaviors: repetitive behaviors, such as shaking hands, rocking or the need for strict routines, are common in people with autism. These repetitive behaviors can act as coping mechanisms or provide a sense of comfort and predictability.

Sensory sensibilities: The sensory sensibilities of adolescents with autism may be exacerbated. They can feel overwhelmed or distressed by stimuli such as strong noises, bright lights, certain textures or crowded spaces.

Restricted interests: adolescents with autism usually develop intense and specific interests on certain topics or objects. These interests can consume a significant amount of their time and attention, which leads them to have a limited participation in other activities.

To better understand autism in adolescents, it is essential to take into account the specific challenges they face in their daily lives. By recognizing and addressing these challenges, we can promote the wel l-being and development of adolescents with autism, helping them to prosper and achieve their full potential.

What is Autism and Its Impact on Teenagers?

During adolescence, people with autism face unique challenges that can significantly affect their lives. Adolescence is a time of transition and sel f-discovery for all adolescents, but for those who suffer from autism can be especially overwhelming. The social and communication difficulties associated with autism can increase anxiety and isolation, which makes it difficult for them to establish significant relationships and face adolescence complexities.

Autism, also known as Autistic Spectrum Disorder (TEA), is a complex neurodevelopment condition characterized by difficulties in social skills, communication and behavior.

• Autism affects approximately 1 in 54 children, and boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.
• The first signs of autism can be seen between 12 and 18 months of age, but most children are not diagnosed until they are 4 years old.
• People with autism can have varying degrees of impairment and abilities, which is why the term “spectrum” is used to describe the disorder.

Teens with autism often have difficulty making and maintaining friendships, understanding social cues, and adapting to new situations. These difficulties can have a significant impact on your mental health and overall well-being. It is essential that parents, educators and health professionals provide them with support and resources that respond to their specific needs, helping them overcome the challenges of adolescence and achieve optimal results.

Recognizing the Signs of Autism in Adolescence

1. Social challenges: A key area to look at for signs of autism in adolescents is their social interactions and communication skills. Teens with autism may have difficulty making and maintaining friendships, understanding social cues, and showing appropriate emotional responses. They may have difficulty engaging in reciprocal conversations, often talking excessively about their own interests without recognizing the need for two-way communication. In groups, they may have difficulty understanding social hierarchies and respecting unspoken social norms.

1. Restricted interests: Another important sign to pay attention to is an intense and narrow focus of interest. Teens with autism may show very specific interests, often obsessed with a particular topic, hobby, or activity. They may spend an excessive amount of time studying or researching their area of interest, demonstrating deep knowledge and enthusiasm in that particular topic, while showing little interest in other topics. This restriction of interests can affect your ability to participate in a wide range of activities and limit your social interactions.
2. Sensory sensitivities: Sensory sensitivities are common among individuals with autism, and these sensitivities may become more evident during adolescence. Teens with autism may have difficulty tolerating sensory stimuli such as loud noises, bright lights, certain textures, or strong smells. They may show strong reactions or avoid certain environments that trigger sensory discomfort. Understanding and addressing these sensitivities can greatly improve the well-being and quality of life of people with autism.

Note: It is important to remember that the presentation of autism symptoms can vary greatly from one person to another. Some teens with autism may show all of these signs, while others may show only a few. A thorough evaluation by a qualified medical professional is necessary to determine if an individual meets the criteria for an autism diagnosis. Early identification and intervention can significantly benefit adolescents with autism, providing them with the appropriate support and resources to overcome the challenges they may face during adolescence.

Challenges that autistic adolescents face in social interactions

One of the main challenges that autistic adolescents face in social interactions is difficulty understanding social cues and non-verbal communication. Autistic people often have difficulty interpreting facial expressions, body language and tone of voice, which prevents them from understanding the emotions and intentions of others. As a result, they may have difficulty initiating and maintaining conversations, understanding the context of social interactions, and responding appropriately.

It is estimated that approximately 50-80% of autistic people have communication and social interaction difficulties.

• Non-verbal communication difficulties
• Limited perspective taking and understanding of social cues
• Difficulties starting and maintaining conversations.
• Difficulty understanding the social context
• Problems responding appropriately to social situations

These challenges can significantly affect the ability of autistic adolescents to train and maintain friendships, participate in group activities and develop the necessary social skills for adulthood. Therefore, it is essential that educators, parents and health professionals provide specific support, guidance and interventions to help autistic adolescents develop in social interactions and improve their quality of life in general.

Education and Support Systems for Autistic Teens

Educate autistic adolescents: autistic adolescents often have difficulty prospering in conventional educational environments due to their unique learning styles and their difficulties in social communication. Educational programs adapted to their individual needs can be very beneficial for their learning results and their educational experience in general. These programs usually adopt a multidisciplinary approach in which educators, therapists and other autism specialized professionals participate. Individualized educational programs (PEI) are usually used to address specific learning objectives, adaptations and support services required by each autistic adolescent.

Important information:

• Adapted educational programs help autistic adolescents academically and socially prosper.
• A multidisciplinary approach is crucial in which educators, therapists and specialists participate.

Support systems play a fundamental role in helping autistic adolescents overcome the challenges they face in daily life. These systems focus on providing emotional and practical support to improve their general wel l-being and help them develop the skills necessary to become independent people. It is essential that these support systems imply several interested parties, such as families, schools, health professionals and community organizations, to guarantee a comprehensive and holistic approach to support for autistic adolescents.

1. Family support: families play a fundamental role in the lives of autistic adolescents, providing them with love, understanding and guidance. Support groups, advice and training programs for parents help families develop strategies to manage the unique needs of their children and promote their social and emotional development.
2. School support: schools must create inclusive environments that foster the academic and social growth of autistic adolescents. This may involve providing support technologies, sensory classrooms and training so that teachers and staff work effectively with autistic students.
3. Community support: Community organizations can offer various support services, such as recreational programs, social skills groups and professional training opportunities, to help autistic adolescents establish connections, develop life skills and explore their interests.

Strategies for Parents to Support their Teenagers with Autism

1. Establishing clear routines: autistic adolescents often prosper in structured environments, so establishing clear routines can help them feel more organized and safe. The creation of daily schedules and the incorporation of visual signals, such as calendars or control lists, can help reduce anxiety and promote better time management.
2. Promote open communication: effective communication is key to understanding and satisfying the needs of autistic adolescents. It is important that parents actively listen, validate their children’s feelings and encourage open dialogue. Using clear and concise language, visual aid or social stories can facilitate understanding and guarantee effective communication.
3. Providing social support: adolescence is a period of greater social interaction, which can be a challenge for autistic adolescents. Parents can play a crucial role when helping their teenage children develop social skills and establish relationships. Promoting participation in structured social activities, such as clubs or support groups, can offer social interaction opportunities in a controlled environment.
4. Collaborating with educators: establishing a solid collaboration with teachers and educators is essential for the academic success of autistic adolescents. Sharing information about strengths, the specific challenges and needs of the adolescent can help educators adapt their teaching methods. Regular communication and assistance to parents and teachers meetings can promote a collaborative approach to support the educational trajectory of the adolescent.
5. Supporting sel f-defense: encouraging autistic adolescents to defend themselves is vital for lon g-term independence. Parents can help them teaching them sel f-defense skills, such as sel f-expression and problem solving, and promoting sel f-confidence. Offering them opportunities to make decisions and participate in the planning of their schedules or objectives can help them become sel f-managers.

Note: Each autistic teenager is unique and parents must take into account the strengths and individual challenges of their child when putting these strategies into practice. Finding orientation of professionals, such as pediatricians, therapists or autism specialists, can provide additional support and personalized advice.

Promoting Independence and Success for Autistic Teens

1. Encourage self-reliance: Encouraging autistic teens to be more self-reliant is an essential aspect of fostering their independence. This involves enabling them to make decisions, solve problems and take responsibility for their actions. A useful strategy is to break down tasks into manageable steps, providing clear instructions and visual aids to make them easier to understand. Additionally, fostering self-advocacy skills can empower autistic teens to express their needs and preferences effectively, increasing their confidence and ability to advocate for themselves.

“Encouraging self-sufficiency is crucial to promoting independence for autistic teens. By breaking down tasks, providing clear instructions, and encouraging self-advocacy skills, we can empower them to take control of their lives and make informed decisions.”

2. Develop crucial life skills: Equipping autistic teens with essential life skills is vital to their future success and independence. These skills cover a wide range of areas, such as personal hygiene, time management, cooking, budgeting, and communication. Structured learning programs and social skills training can provide a structured environment for autistic adolescents to learn and practice these skills effectively. It is beneficial to incorporate visual schedules, social stories, and role-play activities to facilitate your understanding and application of these skills in real-life situations.

1. Personal hygiene skills:

– Brushing teeth

– Shower or bathe

– Dress appropriately

2. Time management skills:

– Set and manage schedules

– Prioritize tasks

– To be on time

3. Culinary skills:

– Follow recipes

– Use kitchen appliances safely

– Understand basic nutrition

3. Provide a supportive environment: Creating a supportive and inclusive environment is paramount to ensuring the success of autistic adolescents. This involves fostering positive relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and professionals to develop a strong support system. Collaborating with educators and healthcare professionals can help establish individualized educational plans (IEPs) and ensure that appropriate accommodations and resources are available. Additionally, providing a safe space for open communication, offering emotional support, and celebrating achievements can further improve the well-being and independence of autistic adolescents.

• Collaborate with educators and healthcare professionals to develop individualized educational plans.
• Create a safe and supportive space for open communication
• Offer emotional support and celebrate achievements

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Author of the article

Dr.Greenblatt M.

Medical oncologist at the Robert Larner College of Medicine, MD, at the University of Vermont