title: Exploring the Experience of Self-Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults.
abstract: One in 68 Americans has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and diagnosis is often delayed into adulthood in individuals without comorbid intellectual disability. Many undiagnosed adults resort to self-diagnosis. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenology was to explore the experience of realizing a self-diagnosis of ASD among 37 individuals who were not formally diagnosed. Results revealed five themes: feeling "othered," managing self doubt, sense of belonging, understanding myself, and questioning the need for formal diagnosis. Healthcare professionals must have an understanding of self-diagnosis to help individuals transition to formal diagnosis and to adequately educate, support, and screen this population for comorbidities.
authors.affiliation: University of VT, Vermont. Electronic address: lforanlewis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Laura Foran
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012934:Social Isolation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires