Ever Wonder If You Might Be Autistic?
- Kyla Winlow, LCSW
- Aug 10, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: May 27
Here are some resources to help you get started on your self-exploration journey!
First, let’s look at some common Autistic experiences:
Sensory sensitivities-sounds can be very irritating or even feel painful, fabrics or tags feeling incredibly irritating, lights being too bright, tastes/textures being intolerable, smells being too intense, touch being uncomfortable.
Sensory seeking-listening to loud music, pacing, fidgeting, swinging or rocking, rubbing enjoyable fabrics or textures, preferring deep pressure hugs or weighted blankets.
Uncertainty in social interactions -feeling unsure or anxious when engaging with others, being told your facial expressions are “wrong” for the context of the situation, scripting out how conversations might go before they happen, feeling as if everyone got some sort of manual of social interactions or friendship that you did not receive, mimicking the behaviors of those around to help you feel like you are fitting in.
Preferring sameness or routines, finding comfort in order and lack of visual clutter, preferring known environments, finding it difficult to adjust to change
Being passionate, knowledgeable, and energized about your special interests. Sometimes feeling an insatiable desire or deep curiosity to engage with your special interest to the extent that you might forget to eat, drink water, or tend to other parts of your life because of the hyperfocus you are able to give to your special interests
Finding comfort or regulation in repetitive body movements and/or repetitive sounds
Either struggling to identify your own or other’s emotions or finding yourself very aware of the emotions of others to the extent that you can be overwhelmed by other people’s emotions
Why are so many adults only now being diagnosed or recognizing their Autistic identity? Unfortunately, many people were not diagnosed earlier because they did not present with the limited, stereotypical view of what Autism was. AFAB (assigned female at birth) folks were especially not diagnosed as children because at that time Autism was believed to be more present in males. AFAB people are also more likely to conform to social pressure and can become very good at masking which makes diagnosis more difficult.
If you are wondering if you might be Autistic, I recommend taking a few of the self assessments listed below. Disclaimer: These tools are not perfect and not as affirming as they should be.
If you try one of the self-assessments, reflect on how you feel about your results. Does it feel accurate to your experience? Not sure? It might be helpful to follow people with lived experiences on social media by searching for hashtags: #actuallyautistic #autigender #AuDHD #neuroqueer #neurodivergent #autisticpride. Additionally, if you like to learn via reading books here are a few books to check out:
Unmasking Autism by Devon Price
Divergent Minds by Jenara Nerenberg (content note: much of book is directed at “women” )
Looking for support in your exploration? Interested in formal assessment to obtain documentation for accommodations? Reach out, I am happy to support you in this process!
It's fascinating how much nuance there is in understanding neurodiversity, especially when discussing the varied ways individuals experience the world. The spectrum truly highlights that there's no single 'type,' and recognizing the subtle differences in communication, sensory processing, or social interaction is key to effective support. This complexity often makes self-identification or even initial family recognition challenging, leaving many wondering about potential indicators. For anyone seeking a clearer path, exploring resources like a comprehensive autism spectrum assessment can be an invaluable first step towards understanding.
It's insightful how you highlighted the often-overlooked differences in how autism manifests in adulthood compared to childhood. This point is crucial, as many adults struggle for years feeling 'different' without a clear understanding, often masking their traits to fit in. For individuals who resonate with these experiences and are beginning to explore their own neurodivergence, finding accessible, reliable resources can be a significant first step. In that vein, we've developed a comprehensive autistic traits quiz that helps individuals reflect on their experiences and provides a valuable starting point for further exploration.
That feeling of everyone else having received a social interaction manual you missed is incredibly well-articulated here. It's a common and often isolating experience for many, highlighting a fundamental difference in how neurodivergent individuals process and navigate social cues, rather than a lack of effort or understanding. While these common experiences are invaluable for initial self-reflection on a potential autism journey, many find themselves seeking a more structured approach to explore these traits further. For those ready to delve deeper into these patterns, a valuable next step can be taking a comprehensive adult autism self-assessment to provide further insight.
The CAT-Q is a scientifically validated tool, which is really important. It gives you confidence that you're using a reliable measure for understanding autistic camouflaging.