Throughout his entire life, Andrew Davies has felt like an outsider, believing that he was defective, strange, or flawed in some way.
It wasn't until he found out he was autistic when he turned 70 years old.
"As I see it, this is simply part of my identity and neural wiring... experiencing the world unfolds differently for me," he explained.
Studies indicate that similar to Andrew, numerous individuals spend their entire lives unaware of their condition. autistic spectrum .
Somewhere between 250,000 and 600,000 individuals aged 50 and above in England might be living with autism without receiving a diagnosis. an analysis of primary healthcare documents from England has suggested.
This suggests that over 90 percent of individuals with autism who are older than 50 remained undiagnosed, according to the study’s researchers.
"Autism was long regarded as a disorder specific to children; however, it is actually a lifelong condition. Even as individuals grow older, their autism remains unchanged," explained Andrew.
Andrew, who is now 72 years old, retired in 2019 after a distinguished and lengthy career.
He served as a minister during the initial decade of the Welsh government and was an assembly member (which is now referred to as Member of the Senedd, also known as an MS ) for Swansea West from 1999 to 2011.
Following his resignation from the chairmanship of what was known as the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board after a tenure of six years, he stepped aside.
Maybe not the most typical career choice for someone who admits to having "frequently had trouble comprehending and interacting with others."
Andrew, who resides in Mount Pleasant, Swansea, stated, "Being part of a group and staying engaged in conversations—knowing when to speak—isn’t about mastering small talk; it’s more about understanding the unwritten rules."
As a child, he favored solitary activities and individual friendships over group settings.
This grew more difficult to handle during high school.
“I simply had a lot of trouble with it,” he stated.
I sensed that something was amiss, there was an oddity, and a problem.
He discovered that the social norms and framework of professional life were more straightforward for him to manage, though he frequently felt overwhelmed and socially drained after a lengthy workday.
He mentioned, 'I believe some might have considered me aloof, yet this impression stems from a blend of timidity and uncertainty about how to respond.'
Andrew also experiences hypersensitivity .
He mentioned that he never much liked discos or rock concerts, finding the noise and lighting overwhelmingly discomforting.
Various noises, like his wife chewing gum or a neighbor’s dog barking, along with certain odors, for instance congealed fat or grease, and visual stimuli such as fluorescent lighting, have consistently made him feel quite uneasy.
"I simply need some space," he stated.
You attempt to overlook it, yet it triggers a bodily, intense response.
What has consistently benefited him in his professional life is something he has come to recognize as another characteristic of autism. strong fascinations, commonly referred to as hyperfocus. .
He mentioned that he frequently got deeply absorbed in subjects that intrigued him, immersing himself in thorough investigations.
He stated, 'I aim to thoroughly understand that issue, whereas most people would simply find it intriguing and continue.'
He mentioned that studying autism had turned into "another rabbit hole I've dove into."
This propensity for becoming excessively absorbed in subjects led him to recognize it potentially as an autistic characteristic within himself.
He was conversing with a coworker who had lately received an autism diagnosis.
The coworker mentioned that a consulting psychiatrist he has been collaborating with pulled him aside and stated, "I hope you won’t take this the wrong way, but you exhibit all the typical indicators of autism."
Understanding the similarity between his colleague’s thorough research documents and lengthy emails and his own realization dawned suddenly.
Andrew began exploring materials such as books and podcasts related to autism, which prompted him to complete an online survey created by psychologist Prof Simon Baron-Cohen.
"I clearly positioned myself at the center of the range," he stated.
He subsequently opted to pursue a formal diagnosis, only to find out that the NHS wait was around three to four years. Ultimately, he chose to go private instead.
What significance does receiving a diagnosis hold for him?
“It was simply getting that validation… I wasn’t flawed or strange, or anything incorrect; it’s just part of who I am and how my mind operates,” he stated.
"When you get to this age you look back on your life, from role to soul.
I believe it assists you in accepting events that have occurred in your past.
Andrew has been dealing with depression since his teenage years. research suggests According to the National Autistic Society, individuals with autism might have a higher likelihood of experiencing depression compared to those who do not have autism.
He has likewise gone through phases of poor health, which he currently thinks were autistic burnout .
Statistics indicate that individuals above 50 years old are not receiving autism diagnoses at nearly the same rates as children. One out of every 34 children receive an autism diagnosis, whereas just one among 6,000 adults aged 50 and older does. .
"It’s probable that there will be a significantly under-serviced group of people who should receive the necessary support," stated Dr Gavin Stewart, a research fellow at King's College London, whose interests lie in aging and autism spectrum conditions.
He mentioned that one factor contributing to older individuals not being diagnosed could be traced back to the 1960s, during their younger years, when autism was considered an extremely uncommon disorder. In contrast, nowadays it is seen much more frequently, which is evident from current prevalence statistics.
For numerous elderly individuals, he stated that receiving a diagnosis often served as a "eureka moment," enabling them to gain clearer insights into their past experiences. This newfound understanding also paved the way for accessing assistance and support, such as from employers or providers of residential care services.
He wants healthcare providers who work with elderly individuals to better identify autism cases that have not been diagnosed yet.
He stated, 'We understand that individuals with autism frequently require extra assistance and support across their lifespans to address their mental well-being and guarantee they lead joyful lives.'
Having appropriate assistance and backing might really be a crucial element in guaranteeing their healthy aging, and I believe everybody deserves to have the finest life possible.
Details and assistance regarding autism can be accessed through INSPIRATIONS DIGITALAction Line .
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