Kanye West shared news about his mental health, announcing he has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disoa neurological and developmental condition that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

Even though autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life. However, in Kanye’s case, he says his earlier diagnosis of bipolar was wrong. In a conversation on The Download podcast, West, who changed his name to Ye, said his wife Bianca Censori urged him to get tested again. “I went to this doctor... My wife took me to do that because she said, ‘Something about your personality doesn’t feel like it’s bipolar; I’ve seen bipolar before.’ And I’ve come to find that it’s a case of autism that I have,” West said.

According to Kanye, the diagnosis has helped him better understand himself. “Autism takes you to a ‘Rain Man’ thing,” West said. “‘When people tell you to not do it, you just get on that one point. And that’s my problem.”

According to experts, autism in adults can present with different symptoms than in children. In most cases, autistic people receive a diagnosis in childhood, usually after the age of 4 years. However, some autistic adults are not diagnosed in childhood, even if their symptoms are more severe.

Doctors say for those who do not receive a diagnosis in childhood, getting it in later life can be extremely helpful for many reasons, including better access to services and support.

The Cleveland Clinic says there can be a few similarities between ASD and other disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, but the signs and symptoms of ASD vary. A few of these include:

• Difficulty making conversation
• Issues in maintaining close friendships
• Discomfort during eye contact
• Lack of inflection when speaking
• Trouble understanding facial expressions and body language
• Problems reading the emotions of others
• Challenges with regulating emotions
• Social anxiety

Autistic adults may also exhibit a few signs, like:

Those adults who have SAD may have inflexible thought patterns and behaviours and may carry out repetitive actions. All this includes making involuntary noises like repetitive throat-clearing, having a reliance on daily routines, and difficulty dealing with change.

Those who are autistic may also develop an intense interest in one particular topic, which they keep repeating and talking about frequently.

Doctors say many autistic adults develop a hypersensitivity to sensory stimulation, such as sounds or smells that do not seem to bother others or bright lights.

According to experts, high-functioning autism in adults presents a unique set of challenges and strengths. Those who have the disorder may possess advanced cognitive abilities while struggling with social interactions. Recognising signs of high-functioning autism, such as intense focus on specific interests or challenges in navigating social nuances, is key to tailored support.

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