Can you outgrow autism?

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I was diagnosed at seven but once had a psychiatrist basically tell me "You may have been autistic as a child but you aren't anymore. You're bipolar and if you don't take this medication I can have you committed. I have a child with Asperger's and you aren't anything like him. Blah blah blah!" I got fed up and just walked out and never came back. I think he was some-kind of narcissist and he was angry because I wasn't going to bow down to him just because he had a degree. I knew he could not have me committed because I was wasn't hurting myself or showing intent to hurt anyone else. He also had JUST MET me.

My mother was with me and saw the whole thing and she says he basically threw an adult temper tantrum. Something told me to NOT go in there by myself. I wanted to file a complaint but my mom didn't want to "rock the boat" whatever that meant. Anyhow, is it possible to outgrow autism?

I had a friend tell me last year that people with High Functioning Autistics (I am one) "outgrow" their Autism as they get older. Total BS, you don't "out grow" Autism. It's with you for life. Whoever is telling you that is full of BS. I'll be 35 in 6 months. I've had Autism since I was born. I sure as hell don't feel that I've outgrown a single thing.

There are still a few very dodgy people working in psychiatry- sounds like you just met one of the classic types! The former director of our local mental hospital was similar. She was creepy, controlling and randomly manipulative just for the sake of it. Fortunately, like you I was able to avoid her after an early encounter. One of my friends wasn't so lucky.

I've heard plenty of people say their autism is less severe than as a child. But none who say it's gone away altogether. (Discounting anyone selling some dubious Miracle Cure, that is.) I'm not sure if the actual symptoms decrease over time, or if it's the effect of us learning coping strategies.

The most dramatic improvements must be those autistic people who couldn't speak at all as kids but learnt how to communicate later. But my impression is they still have huge sensory problems. Can any of you confirm that?

When I was diagnosed I was told it would get easier but not that I would grow out of it.

Autism is there for life.

It is possible to acquire enough coping skills that you outgrow your diagnosis and become subclinical.

subclinical means "In diagnosis, where some criteria are met but not enough to achieve clinical status."

Losing your diagnosis doesn't mean your brain has rewired itself in a neurotypical way, just that you learned enough skills to manage life without the need of professional help.

Autism is a personal pronoun in the way that it identifies a person. This seems like a good time to challenge the question with another question. While this person did not ask the question explicitly, they did make you question indirectly. Asking a related question can sometimes show the error inherent in the subject itself. It's like asking: Can your brain outgrow your skull? While this is possible in certain situations, this is not the normal state of the brain. You could also ask: Are you a Quack? Because some Quacks believe diseases are caused by malevolent supernatural entities, and bloodletting and trepanation are still used to expel these spirits from the patient's body.

No. You can't outgrow it. You can learn to manage the difficulties of living in an NT world, but you will always be autistic. I personally wouldn't want to outgrow it. And besides it sounds stupid, like it's the same as outgrowing a pair of shoes or a shirt when you're a kid.

No, your ASD will always be a part of your identity regardless if you accept it or not.

I have been there for 75 years. I will get back to all if it finally goes away...

No BS... Only thing that might be better is meltdowns. I am able to hold them in or delay them but thats about it.

In a small percentage of people the "symptoms" ease to the point not to be impairing enough to be clinically diagnosed. Some residual traits usually remain. Studies showing this are small and usually have not been followed into adulthood when expectations and responsibilities increase and years of "passing" take its toll. "Autistic burnout" with major increase of traits is an often discussed topic in places like WP.

I concur with everyone else. I'm 46 and it really hasn't changed since my twenties. You might get better at coping strategies and learn how to avoid stressors, but nope, ASD sits in your mind, like a permanent lodger.

If you are lucky you can find a job that takes advantage of your autistic traits so any weirdness you exhibit no longer becomes an issue with your co-workers.

Raun Kaufman did.

Just my own personal experience/observation, but I think the role of sensory overload and how it can limit functioning is not very understood, which is why many people here will write about not feeling autistic at times. I'm guessing they don't have too much sensory input at those times, and that maybe some autistic people learn to manage this input better over time, thus appearing to "outgrow" their autism. An example: I love to walk, but have a slightly awkward gait and never found walking to feel that natural, despite liking it. However, if I wear big headphones (covering my ears) and sunglasses, I walk very smoothly. I feel what I imagine it feels like for neurotypicals to walk, because I'm limiting the sensory input. I imagine many of us would feel "less" autistic if we could limit that input, instead of feeling like we have to function while unnecessary information is constantly coming in. Maybe if neurotypicals had to try having two conversations at once, with three hours of sleep, they'd have an idea what it feels like.

I think neurotypicals don't understand this well because they don't have that constant input. When an autistic person has a meltdown because of overload, the neurotypical will just think they got really upset for no reason. Neurotypicals also probably think some people outgrow their autism because they don't see how that person is managing sensory input or not having to put up with as much. I know the neurotypical friends I've had all respond well when I'm more outgoing/social due to having had more time to recharge, and they never understand why I seem more like them for limited times, and then go back to the isolated, "depressed" person they see otherwise. They don't understand the overload and what my day to day is like.

It's great when we feel free and natural, but that doesn't always have to mean less autistic, either. Unfortunately, neurotypicals will probably always view us being more like them as progress.

I agree with the others that you don't outgrow it, but that symptoms may decrease as you get older and learn coping skills. I just wanted to respond because I had a very similar experience with a psychiatrist. After college, I had to find a doctor to prescribe me my Anafranil for my OCD. So, I found an "OCD specialist" downtown and went to see him. I was in his office for about ten minutes, and he asked me to explain my symptoms. He then said something like, "You definitely have OCD, but I don't see the Asperger's." First of all, I have severe OCD that I first self-diagnosed myself. It's pretty classic for the pure obsessional type. I didn't need his confirmation for that. Secondly, I hadn't even discussed my Asperger's, and I'm not "obvious" unless you get to know me! I couldn't believe that he dismissed my Asperger's after a literal ten minutes, especially at an appointment when I wasn't even focused on that! Needless to say, I never went to see him again...