Video Game Designer: $78k
Want to create awesome virtual worlds and interactive experiences? Video game designers use their artistic talents and technical skills to come up with detailed concepts for storylines, layouts, characters, gameplay, and more. In this field, experience is very important completing an internship as part of your training can enhance your job prospects.
Symptoms And Signs Of High
High functioning autism is not actually an official medical diagnosis, nor is it an official medical term. This term is mostly used when talking about autism or autism spectrum disorder in general. Contrary to what most people think, this is not just found in children, signs of high-functioning autism in adults is also quite common.
Autism Spectrum Disorder can be found in all ages, races, genders, ethnic groups, racial groups, and socioeconomic groups. Autism is generally characterized by communication and social challenges, and repetitive behaviors.
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Common Signs Of Autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts people of all genders and races. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, people with the diagnosis are very diverse.
For example, some are highly intelligent, while others have severe cognitive challenges. Some are unable to use spoken language, while others are eloquent. Some prefer solitude, while others are relatively gregarious. Symptoms of autism must be present before age 3, even if the diagnosis itself isn’t made until much later.
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Forensic Science Technician: $61k
A methodical focus on detail is important for forensic science technicians. These professionals collect, examine, and analyze crime scene evidence like blood, fingerprints, and bullet fragments. They also write up reports about their findings and give testimony in court. A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, or another natural science is typically required.
Medical Lab Tech: $54k
Want to play a vital behind-the-scenes role in the healthcare industry? Lab techs study urine, blood, and tissue samples to search for abnormalities or evidence of disease. This is detail-oriented work that requires a high degree of precision. You could choose to specialize in areas like immunology, molecular biology, or cytotechnology.
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Subtle Signs Of Autism In Women Allow The Condition To Go Unnoticed
Women with autism often display very different symptoms than men with autism, which may lead to an incorrect diagnosis or failure to be referred for diagnosis.
Not only do many women with autism spectrum disorder act in a more socially neurotypical wayusually as a result of having put a considerable amount of effort into learning how to act sociallybut the focus of their attention is different to that of men with ASD.
Here are five signs of autism in women:
1. Intense focus on a person/band/celebrity
One of the criteria used for determining ASDfor instance, in Simon Baron-Cohens Aspergers Test1is an intense focus on “things,” which may be related to collecting and hobbies such as train spotting.
Women with ASD also display very intense interests but, whilst they may be focused on objects, their focus is just as likely to be on people. Girls growing up with ASD may become obsessed with a celebrity or band to the extent that they need to know every single fact about them. Many of my clients who are in relationships become so focused on their partner that they can lose sight of their own needs.
Because a focus on celebrities and people is seen as more “normal” than a focus on collecting model cars or napkin rings, it contributes to the fact that girls and women may fail to be diagnosed with ASD.
2. Anxiety and depression
3. Disliking uncomfortable clothes
4. Lack of eye contact
5. Less severe symptoms than men with ASD
Confusion
Resources For Autistic Children 4
For parents and professionals
Fun with Feelings a two book combination that teaches parents to help their autistic child to manage their anxiety and anger from a very young age to prevent mental health problems later in life.
Garnett, M. S., Attwood T., Ford, L., Runham S. and Cook J. . Having Fun with Feelings on the Autism Spectrum: A CBT Activity Book for Kids Age 4-8. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Garnett, M. S., Attwood T., Ford, L., Runham S. and Cook J. . Ten Steps to Reducing Your Childs Anxiety on the Autism Spectrum: The CBT-based Fun with Feelings Parent Manual. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
The online course for Fun with Feelings
During this 5.5 hour course Tony and Michelle describe how to use the Fun with Feelings course with your child for the best outcomes for your whole family.
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Autism In Women: Accommodations And Treatment
There is no universally prescribed medication for people on the autism spectrum. Prescription treatments more often address a comorbid condition, such as anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, or seizures.
However, almost all autistic people are encouraged to try cognitive behavioral therapy . This talk-based counseling can help autistic adults identify and process the ways they experience the world differently. A therapist can help an autistic patient develop an understanding of social rules or learn how to advocate for themselves in a work setting.
It is important to note that an adult with autism can determine which new skills they want to learn and which personal differences they want to keep or change. By contrast, many young children placed in Applied Behavior Analysis therapy are trained to behave less autistic while still too young to parse out how being on the spectrum affects their sense of self.
Accommodations for people with autism include creating sensory-friendly spaces, establishing clearly defined social rules, and holding neurodiversity-based autism education in the community. In a work-place, there might be the provision of a job mentor or the flexibility to work from home.
The Challenges Of Living With High
Autism is a spectrum disorder. This means people with autism have a wide range of symptoms and abilities. High-functioning autism is often considered mild, but that’s not necessarily true.
People with HFA can struggle significantly. They may not need the same level of support as people with more severe autism. However, it can still have a major impact on their daily lives.
This article discusses the common challenges of living with high-functioning autism.
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Information Security Analyst: $104k
Keeping networks and data systems safe from viruses and hackers requires careful analysis and keen attention to detail, which may be strengths of yours. Information security analysts are responsible for identifying weaknesses that could result in security breaches and developing standards and policies to protect an organization’s data. Security-specific certifications can boost your employment potential.
Great Jobs For Autistic People In A Huge Range Of Industries
Jobs for autistic people are far more varied than you might realize. The stereotype of individuals who’ve been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder working alone in highly technical fields like information technology and engineering may hold true in some cases, but it doesn’t begin to cover all the job possibilities for people on the spectrum.
In fact, what makes a job autism-friendly is usually more about the work environment than the career field. Generally speaking, the best jobs for autistic adults tend to be positions that:
- Allow you to focus on one task at a time
- Have clearly defined responsibilities and expectations
- Emphasize quality and accuracy over speed
- Involve some degree of structure and routine
Fortunately, those conditions can be found in a wide range of different fields. People with autism have found success in writing, music, the visual and performing arts, accounting, law, finance, science, human services, and many other sectors.
The information below describes more than 30 potential jobs for adults with autism across a variety of sectors. It also explains some basic facts about autism and explores the issues surrounding the use of terminology like “high-functioning autism” and “Asperger’s syndrome.” In addition, it highlights several strengths that are common among people on the spectrum and provides practical tips for how you can go about getting a job.
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Autism In Women: Why Its Different And What To Look Out For
In many areas of life, and particularly healthcare, men are seen as the standard and women suffer as a result as it is assumed female bodies function in the same way. We know that heart attacks and strokes, for example, present differently in women than they do men and this gap in knowledge can have devastating consequences for women.
Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder is similar in that many studies have shown that autism presents differently in women than it does men. Sadly, as with many womens issues, there is a stark lack of scientific research in this area. However, we think it is important to outline what we do know about autism in females so that youre better able to spot signs of autism either in yourself or others. This is an extremely nuanced and complex topic and we encourage further research on everything we will briefly mention in this introductory article.
The Stages In Camouflaging Autism
Research and clinical experience suggest a three-stage model of the camouflaging process . In the first stage, there is motivation to be successful socially and to develop friendships. The second stage is to acquire the ability to camouflage social confusion, social immaturity, and a delay in social reasoning. This is achieved by masking and compensation strategies. The third stage is short- and long-term consequences, including delaying a diagnostic assessment, access to appropriate support and understanding, and subsequent mood and psychological disorders.
We now have a questionnaire to explore whether a person engages in camouflaging in social situations . The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire was developed from discussing aspects of camouflaging with adults who have autism describing their experiences. Exploratory factor analysis suggests three factors with the questionnaire, namely compensation, masking, and assimilation.
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A Specific Questionnaire For Girls
Historically, major figures in autism research believed there was significant prevalence in women. The Austrian child psychologist Hans Asperger put forward the idea as early as 1944, as did British psychiatrist Lorna Wing, as early as 1981. But its only in recent years the scientific community has really started examining the evidence.
Some researchers aim to better understand the specific characteristics of autism in women. Since the beginning of this year, volunteers are invited to participate in a study on autism in women conducted by Laurent Mottron, a professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Montreal , and Pauline Duret, a doctoral student in neuroscience, in collaboration with myself and Adeline Lacroix, working at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris . Adeline Lacroix is a masters student in psychology and has herself been diagnosed with autism.
Other studies are attempting to adapt diagnostic tools for use with female subjects. A team made up of Australian scientists Sarah Ormond, Charlotte Brownlow, Michelle Garnett, and Tony Attwood, and Polish scientist Agnieszka Rynkiewicz, is currently perfecting a specific questionnaire for young girls, the Q-ASC . They presented their work at May 2017 conference in San Francisco.
Translated from the French by Alice Heathwood for Fast for Word.
This article was originally published in French
How And When Should I Tell My Child Theyre Autistic
8. Emotional regulation issues and meltdowns. Women with autism often have problems with emotional regulation. Research has shown that there is a poor connection between the frontal cortex and the amygdala in people with autism.4 Put simply, the amygdala can be thought of as an emotion centre in our brain, as it’s part of our limbic system and our mammalian brain. The frontal cortex can be thought of as our thinking brain, the more rational part of our brain which makes judgments.
Because of the poor connection between the two areas, women with autism may find it hard to rationalise situations and stay in control. Many describe having meltdowns: extreme emotional reactions to situations that might result in losing their temper, crying, or going into shutdown mode.
9. Stimming. Stimming refers to repetitive behaviours. The most obvious behaviours we associate with autism are rocking, hand flapping, repetition of words or phrases, and rocking or spinning. However, women with autism may display other stimming behaviours such as skin picking, feet rubbing, pacing, or hair twirling. People with autism tend to stim more than other people and may not be aware of their behaviours. It is thought that stimming is a self-regulation tool.
Anyone who identified with the above symptoms should seek out professional help. Autism displays similar symptoms to other conditions and a formal diagnosis can help establish whether or not autism may be at play.
References
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Peer Support For Autistic Individuals
Peer support and advocacy are key for autistic individuals. Those looking to connect with organizations run by and for autistic people can refer to the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network and the Asperger/Autism Network.
These organizations include information about getting diagnosed, treatment options, advocacy, and social support for autistic people and their loved ones.
Safety Risks For Autistic Girls
Autistic girls may be bullied simply because theyre different. Also, Dr. Epstein says, because these girls miss social cues and want to be liked, their autism can leave them more naïve. This makes them easy prey for someone trying to take advantage of them, be it a bully or a sexual predator. The girls may be wanting the interaction but not understanding what its about, what the cues are, Dr. Epstein says. It can be very easy for them to follow their hormones without an understanding of what the dangers are. And sometimes even if they have been taught, they need ongoing support to be able to maintain safety.
Melissa says this has been true with Lisa. Ive had to think about female issues at a much earlier age than I expected, she says. Weve already had an incident of her being inappropriately touched by a boy, for whom the excuse was made that because hes also disabled, he didnt understand what he was doing was wrong.
One of her daughters greatest strengths is how accepting she is of others, Melissa adds. She always finds the good in people, even when they are mean to her, she says. But because she is so accepting and kind, others can easily take advantage of her, or bully her, and she wont say anything.
But first the girls need to be identified and accepted. This will require more awareness and sensitivity on the part of parents, teachers and clinicians.
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How Are Asd Levels Determined
While its difficult to determine a persons ASD level, trained psychologists have some tools that can help them accomplish this, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition . This assessment is typically paired with a thorough developmental history.
ASD can be diagnosed as early as 18 months . However, many children, and even some adults, may not be diagnosed until much later.
Being diagnosed at a later age can make support more difficult. If you or your childs pediatrician think they may be autistic, consider making an appointment with an ASD specialist. Learn more about testing for ASD.
Where Can I Find Support
Given that women tend to be better at masking their symptoms, being an autistic woman can feel particularly isolating. For many women, its an emotional process that involves revisiting childhood behavior and social problems.
Consider reaching out to other autistic women. The Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women and gender-nonconforming autistic people.
Even if youre not ready to interact with someone, you can find blog posts, first-person stories, and doctor recommendations online.
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Similar Test Results For Boys And Girls
To diagnose autism spectrum disorder , doctors and psychologists evaluate quantitative criteria using tests and questionnaires, but also qualitative criteria, like interests, stereotyped movements, difficulties with eye contact and language and isolation. But while autistic girls show similar test results to autistic boys, the clinical manifestation of their condition differs, at least in cases where language has been acquired.
With social-imitation strategies, for example, autistic girls have fewer troubles making friends than autistic boys they have seemingly more ordinary interests than boys while less restless than boys, they are more vulnerable to less-visible anxiety disorders, and more adept at camouflaging their stereotyped and soothing ritual behaviors. In other words, their autism is less obtrusive, which means their symptoms are less obvious to their families, teachers and doctors.
Biology and environment explain these differences, and in this case its impossible to separate nature from nurture. On the nature side of the argument, some hypothesise that girls are better equipped for social cognition and more apt at caring roles. This would explain why they appear to be more interested in the animate than the inanimate .
Why Its Time To Be Honest About Autistic Women And Sex
Amy GravinoSpectrumAutism consultant
Listen to this story:
In 2006, I had sex for the first time, a moment 22 years in the making. I flung open my bedroom window shortly afterward, undeterred by the chilly February air, and shouted into the night: I am no longer a virgin. Do you hear that?
There were no headlines the next morning, much to my surprise. No newspapers proclaiming, BREAKING: Woman With Autism Has Sex. Ticker Tape Parade to Follow. I suddenly knew that what I had been led to believe was impossible was, in fact, absolutely possible: Autistic women can and do have sex.
And, as for neurotypical women, these sexual experiences can be great but they can also be painful.
In my case, my experience ended in pain and disappointment. A month before that winter night, I had told this man I loved him. I was certain he felt the same. But six months after that night, I was heartbroken to learn he had not loved me at all, and that he had had a girlfriend the entire time.
How had I missed this fact? Was it because I am autistic or because I was in love? And which one made me more vulnerable?
Im still not sure, because there is little information available about autistic women and sex.
But the study has some serious flaws in its assumptions and gaps in its reasoning. Many of its conclusions do not fully reflect my experience as an autistic woman.
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