My Teen Thinks They Have Autism–But Are They Right?
Social media plays a huge role in influencing trends, especially amongst adolescents. But there’s one trend in particular that has caught the attention of healthcare providers and researchers all over the country; it’s become increasingly popular for teens to “self-diagnose” mental health conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Keep reading to learn more about the signs and symptoms of ASD in teens, how to go about getting a formal diagnosis, and ways to support your teen’s needs.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is a neurological and developmental disorder that impacts how a person behaves, communicates, interacts, and learns. According to the DSM-5 (the current manual used to diagnosis mental health conditions), a person who meets the criteria for an ASD diagnosis must have:
Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities
Significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning
Severity can vary greatly, which is why it is considered to be a “spectrum” disorder. It is usually apparent and detectable from a very young age, especially if it is considered to be on the more severe end of the spectrum.
Why Does My Teen Think They Have It?
As strange as it may sound, autism has become a bit of a trending topic. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent isolation and anxiety caused by the lockdowns, teens have turned to social media for information and support. A recent study conducted by Drexel University found that videos associated with the "#Autism" hashtag accrued 11.5 billion views collectively. While spreading awareness isn’t necessarily a bad thing, what’s ringing alarm bells for researchers and healthcare professionals is that almost three-quarters of the information in these videos are considered inaccurate or overgeneralized. Some of the highest trending searches on Google are “am I autistic?”, “autism quiz,” “autism test,” and “autism evaluation near me.”
So what is it about autism that adolescents are finding themselves identifying with? Some of the signs of autism in teenagers include:
Difficulty with social interaction and communication (problems forming friendships, mistaking social cues or body language, finding it easier to form friendships online, expressing that they ‘don’t fit in’)
Inflexibility or rigidity of thought (‘black and white’ thinking)
Sensory processing difficulties (finding the noise of school overwhelming, being unable to cope with lines or crowds, sensitive to touch, having difficulties with planning and organization)
Emotional difficulties (low self-esteem, difficulty or reluctance to express or label their own emotions, excessive anxiety, low mood or depression, isolation)
How to Get a Formal Diagnosis
Looking through the list of symptoms above, you can probably understand how a teen might find themselves saying, “that’s me!” As a parent, it’s important to validate their feelings and try to get as much additional information about their symptoms as they are comfortable sharing with you. If you and your child decide that it would be worth getting a formal assessment for ASD, you should try to find a psychologist, neurologist or neuropsychologist, or a psychiatrist who specializes in autism.
Getting Additional Support
Regardless of what the correct “label” is for what your child is experiencing, if they express feeling that they are autistic, it’s likely that they are struggling with some social anxiety, social skills deficits, executive dysfunction, etc. Therapy can be a great place to start working through some of these difficulties. At Collaborative Minds Psychotherapy, our neurodiversity-affirming therapists have openings for individual therapy if you or your teen would benefit from more individualized support. We also have group therapy options, such as Social Skills Groups, for those who would benefit from connecting with their peers. Contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute call with our intake coordinator to learn more!
