You may feel that you were “different” than other kids in childhood and aren’t on the same wavelength as your peers now. You may notice a hyper-focus on certain topics or experience the world in more intense ways than others. As information is increasingly available about variation in neurotypes, more and more people are looking into whether they are autistic. This is a highly personal journey that can significantly boost understanding of one’s experience and behavior. It’s important to approach this question with great care, considering not only that autism co-occurs with other common diagnoses, but also knowing that autistic traits manifest differently in each individual.
Understanding Autism
Autism is referred to as a “spectrum” because autistic individuals can have a wide range of abilities and challenges. Some may require significant support in daily life, while others may live fully independently. From a neuroaffirmative standpoint, the primary criteria for a diagnosis of autism are:
- Differences in social interaction and the way that relationships are formed and maintained
- Restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, such as repetitive movements, preference for sameness, intensive passions that are typically narrow in scope, and differences in the way that the external environment is experienced (i.e., sensory sensitivity)
Recognizing Signs of Autism
It’s important to note that experiencing one or more of these signs does not necessarily mean someone is autistic. But when a clear pattern emerges that cannot be explained by other factors, the presence of autism becomes likely. Some common indicators include:
- Communication Challenges
- Feeling that you struggle with back-and-forth flow of conversation or that you’ve had to work hard to figure out these unspoken rules
- Strong preference for explicit instructions rather than trying to “read between the lines.”
- Trouble expressing emotion or understanding what someone is thinking through their own nonverbal cues
- Social Differences
- Most friendships based primarily in a shared appreciation for structured activities or specific interests
- Preferring more intellectual rather than emotional interaction, or preferring to do things alone more than with a group
- Repetitive Patterns
- Strong adherence to routines or rituals, with strong emotional reactions to change
- Repetitive movements like rocking, pacing, hand-flapping, or spinning
- Intense focus on specific interests or hobbies
- Sensory Differences
- A sense of overwhelm in the face of loud noises, bright lights, or crowded environments
- Relative unawareness of cues related to hunger or pain
- Seeking out sensory experience, like certain smells or textures
Seeking a Professional Evaluation
If you recognize these signs in yourself or a loved one, seeking a professional evaluation is the next step. This typically involves a lengthy interview with you, a separate interview with those who know you best, completion of multiple questionnaires, and a brief cognitive assessment.
Whether or not an autism diagnosis is made, an evaluation can have numerous benefits, including self-validation, increased understanding from others, workplace or academic accommodations, and support from a wider community.
Asking “Am I autistic?” is a significant step towards self-discovery and understanding. If you suspect you or someone you know may be autistic, seeking a professional assessment can cultivate self-acceptance and access to valuable resources.