Autism in Adults

From May 15, 2008

While watching Dr. Joe Piven, MD, in his lecture regarding major susceptibility genes in autism, I found the following points very interesting, particularly with regards to my husband:

• Aloof (distant) {Personal examples: no real connection to family members or others.}
• Rigid (don't like changes) {Personal examples: an addition to the daily schedule of a small variation results in temper flares and added "hours" to scheduled day.}
• Untactful (have no tact) {Personal examples: spreading out paint supplies and large paint tarp on small front yard, on a busy neighborhood street with heavy sidewalk traffic, to paint a child's costume, rather than using a large, fenced back yard that is completely private, available, and unused.}
• Hypersensitive (in emotions) {Personal examples: continually assuming the worst intentions whenever anyone has the slightest thing to say, and instantly reacting.}

Adult autistics have a terrible time with judging trustworthiness. Be nice to them and they will trust you with their children's lives. They are the last to see that they are being taken advantage of. Complex social judgments are difficult. {Personal examples: being overly trusting toward co-workers and employees without realizing they are manipulating and even mocking him; cannot ascertain intentions.}

They have difficulty focusing on the eyes but can force themselves to, though their gaze shifts to other areas of the face, more notably, the mouth area. {Personal examples: failure to look at speakers in a meeting, or to others for any extended conversations.}

Difficulties in social tact, and in language, particularly figurative speech. Depending on the level of autism, it may be completely lacking. {Personal examples: inability to describe objects; uses wrong words to identify objects; easily frustrated in language "whatever", "I don't know", "you know what I mean"; cannot draw up the proper wording when appropriate; cannot verbally express himself; particularly difficult to describe feelings.}

Maybe there is more to his "swimming pools" of which I have referenced in previous posts here and here.  But I don't know that I will ever have the answers I seek.