Is it possible for symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome to more or less lie dormant through childhood and only become obvious during early adulthood?

Answer 1

Not exactly, but... I see where you are going, and there is an affirmative answer in there.

Right now there is a trend in a later Aspergers diagnosis, primarily in the population of women, and much older men. The much older men info has less to do with your answer, but because I mentioned it, it's because they are coming to grips with problems they may have had all thorough their life, and when they see that there may be an "answer for it all" they are less intimidated by the idea that they have an autism spectrum disorder. Although, in these cases, it's generally older men (55+, for instance) who have had troubles almost all of their life and have gone without addressing it.

On the other hand, there are women what are entering adulthood and find new problems... Or "older adults" (in their 30's for instance) who have big transitions in their life, like a divorce, or the need to become employed fr the first time, who are finding that it's much more difficult for herself, than it appears to be for those around her. Similarly, young male Aspies can have a similar experience, although it's typically more the case in women. Either way, the reason is the same:

Those with Aspergers have at least average intelligence, and when the diagnostic measure is "average or above" then statistically speaking, there will be more that are above average. (If "average" is the floor of the measurement.) "How well someone functions" is measured by their Global Area of Functioning, or GAF, which is scored. Something that contributes the the GAF is the individual's Adaptive and Maladaptive Behaviors. These are ways we figure out how to make things work, when we need them to. The relationship between the ability to "find a way out" of problems, like social problems, and intelligence is significant.

If you have a very smart toddler that wants a cookie, he is more likely to find a way to get the cookie. (His not-so-bright friend might not even try, thinking the goal is too lofty!) The brighter the kiddo, the more likely they will come up with ideas like climbing onto the counter, using a yardstick to reach, or throwing the cat to knock down the cookie jar. An "average" toddler might just figure, "maybe I can cry to mom".

Apply this to when the same children are in college, and they need to figure out how to win the favor of a professor who has been giving them a hard time. The "not bright" kids says "He's just a jerk! Who cares!" (And develops Oppositional Defiance Disorder, but that's another story...) the "average" kid does "more obvious" things to try, like giving a gift, flattery, or just asking "why don't you like me?" Turns out a nice talk is all it took, and they have learned an adaptive behavior... (Someone doesn't like you, and you talk to them. They "adapt" well to the situation.)

The genius kiddo says, "I know professor used to live in Montana. I also know that he appreciates American Indian art. HEY I have an idea!" And they decide to spend the weekend learning all about American Indian art to impress their calculus professor. Let's say it works... Then what will be their first idea when they have a crush on a girl who had her favorite vacation in Las Vegas? Yeah. they have developed a maladaptive behavior. A behavior that gets them what they need, but not in a very healthy way.

What this has to do with your question is that Aspies tend to be bright, and tend to figure out how to assimilate to their world. But at some point the behaviors that they learned (if they weren't taught or didn't teach themselves based on exposure and experience either aren't working anymore or other wise become a problem, they get checked out and that's when they are evaluated and diagnosed. Aspies which have done a "good" job of this can fly under the radar for a while, but life is always changing. Girls tend to fly under the radar more easily, because of the differences in gender roles, and Aspie traits which vary by gender. (Dr. Tony Attwood just wrote a great book and Aspie Girls.)

So even though Aspergers doesn't lay dormant, it may appear to be that way in some!