Bill Gates said he believed he would be diagnosed with autism That he grew up today.
Microsoft co -founder and Tech billionaire, 69, published a revelation in his upcoming memoir, “The original code: My beginnings.”
In the booklet of the book, published in The Wall Street Journal, Gates wrote about his parents “fought with their complicated son” during his childhood in Washington.
“If I grew up today, I would probably be diagnosed on autism“Gates wrote.
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“During my childhood, the fact that some people’s brain processes information differently from others is not widely understood.”
Bill Gates said he believed that he would be diagnosed with autism if he grew up today, as written in his upcoming memoir, “The original code: my beginnings.” (Reuters)
The term “neurodivergent”, which is widely used today, has not yet been coined while growing up, Gates noted.
“My parents did not have guides or textbooks to help them understand why their son became so obsessed with certain projects, missed social signs and could be rude and inappropriate without seemingly noticing his influence on others,” he continued.
Gates wrote about how his parents, Bill and Mary Gates, gave him a “precise combination of support and pressure” that was supposed to develop his social skills.
“Even with their influence, my social side would develop slowly, as well as my awareness of the impact I can have on other people,” he wrote. “But it came with age, with experience, with children and I’m better for it.”
“I wish it had come before, even if I would not trade the brain, he gave me nothing.”
Signs of autism disorders
Signs of autism are challenges with social communication skills and limited and repetitive behaviors, according to Andy Shih, the main scientific official in autism New York City.
The term “neurodivergent”, which is widely used today, was not yet coined while growing up, Gates noted in the memoir. (Justin Tallis – WPA Pool/Getty Pictures)
“This could seem like avoidance of eye contact, delayed developmental development, difficulty understanding the feelings of other people, repetition of words or phrases, manual flaring or very intense and specific interests,” Fox News Digital told.
“I would not trade the brain that gave me for anything.”
On the side of behavior, the disorder of the autism spectrum can also be manifested as “a rigid reliance on routines, intensely focusing on specific themes or sensitive sensitivity,” according to Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist in New York.
Autism is a spectrum, the Alpert noted, which means that the symptoms can vary significantly in type and seriousness.
From the radar
Alpert confirmed that autism “was not on the radar of the people” how much Gates was as a child as it is today.
“Autism was not widely recognized or understandable a decade ago,” he said. “Then the diagnostic criteria were much rope and consciousness was limited even among Health workers. “
Signs of autism are challenges with social communication skills and limited and repeated behavior, one expert noted. (East)
What is known today as a spectrum of autism is categorized differently or completely overlooked, the Alpert noted.
“As a result, many individuals who would meet today’s autism criteria have become undiagnosed.”
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Shih agreed that the diagnoses of autism were much less common when Gates grew up in the 50s and 60s.
“Autism was the first to describe Leo Kanner in 1943, and while consciousness slowly grew in the next decades, only the 80s and 90s were a disorder of the Autism spectrum in DSM (diagnostic manual used in the USA) and became wide recognized and diagnosed with higher rates, “he told Fox News Digital.
Reasons for growing cases
One of the 45 adults in the US is diagnosed with autism, Shih noted more than ever before.
“The prevalence of autism has increased due to increased public and professional autism awareness, wider diagnostic criteria for autism, improved screening tools such as a modified autism list in toddler (M-Chat) and standardized rehearsal processes,” said.
“Autism was not widely recognized or understandable a decade ago,” said one psychotherapist. “At that time, the diagnostic criteria were much narrower, and consciousness was limited even among health workers.” (East)
“These factors led to earlier detection and more diagnoses.”
The growing prevalence of autism has been a very discussed topic, Alpert noted.
“A large part of the increase in the diagnosis of autism can probably be attributed to improved consciousness, broader diagnostic criteria and a better approach to health services,” Fox News Digital told Fox News.
“Autism was not widely recognized or understood a decade ago.”
However, other factors – like environmental exposure and Genetic predispositions – They are also studied as potential associates.
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“Although it is crucial to identify and support those with legitimate diagnoses, there is also an concern that excessive diagnosis-which is potentially affected by social trends or misinterpretation of less experienced therapists-can trivialize the situation and undermine those who really need support,” Alpert warned.
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Despite the growth of diagnosis, there are still missed diagnoses, Shih noted.
The expert said: “Although society is today much more conscious autism than ever before enhanced public health Efforts and increased scams, advocacy and awareness, there are still many adults with autism who have never received a diagnosis or have been wrongly diagnosed. “
Memoir Bill Gates, “The original code: My beginnings”, will be published on February 4 Knopf.
