Could my husband be on the spectrum?

Could my husband be having an autism spectrum? (Photo: iStock)

Hi Chris,

I was reading about ASD (autistic spectrum disorders) the other day and suddenly thought, “That’s my husband!” Is that possible? It would certainly explain some of our communication issues! And what should I do about it?

ASD

Hi ASD!

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a range of conditions that affect social interactions, communication, and empathy. We all experience mild ASD symptoms from time to time, such as failing to understand a particular social situation or resenting a change to our normal routine.

These disorders are called ‘spectrum’ disorders because their symptoms can vary so much. These can range from mild quirks to serious behavioural issues.

They can cause severe difficulties for some people, while others experience only minor issues in their social lives. This variability also makes ASDs very difficult to diagnose, especially as they are easily confused with other issues and overlap with normal emotional traits.

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They are mostly first noticed in childhood. For example, a child may develop language slowly, or have difficulty with verbal reasoning, or understanding another person’s emotions or point of view.

However, it’s also common for people with a mild ASD to reach adulthood without a diagnosis. Maybe like your husband!

Have you noticed that he’s socially isolated, or that he sometimes doesn’t understand jokes? He may also have difficulty in some social situations because he finds it hard to understand unspoken rules and decode people’s emotions.

Nevertheless, many people with ASD lead happy and successful lives and form good relationships.

Your husband probably pays a lot of attention to detail and finds it hard to see the big picture. He may see patterns in things that nobody else can, such as letters or numbers.

If he has an interest, he probably becomes completely absorbed in it and pursues it relentlessly. He may also get upset if his routine is disturbed or be sensitive to certain sensations or loud noises.

If that sounds like him, you should see a psychologist together. Therapy could really help to improve his language and social skills, and improve your communication issues.

All the best,

Chris