Here are 15 signs that you may be an Autistic adult.
Remember, everyone experiences Autism differently, and it is not necessary for you to have all 15 traits to be on the spectrum.
You’ve Always Felt “Different”
You’ve spent your life feeling like you don’t quite fit in, as if everyone else got a social rulebook that you never received.
Socializing is Exhausting
You can interact with people, but it drains you. You may need a lot of alone time to recover after social events.
You Mask Without Realizing It
You mimic others’ behaviors, rehearse conversations in your head, or carefully monitor your tone and expressions to “blend in.”
Small Talk Feels Forced and Confusing
You prefer deep, meaningful conversations and struggle with the point of casual chit-chat.
You Hyper-Focus on Special Interests
You get deeply passionate about specific topics, often researching or engaging with them for hours without realizing the time.
Routine is Your Comfort Zone
Unexpected changes throw you off, and you find stability in routines, schedules, or predictable patterns.
You Have Sensory Sensitivities
Bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, or certain textures can be overwhelming or even painful.
You Struggle with Eye Contact
Maintaining eye contact can feel unnatural, uncomfortable, or even distracting.
You Have a Unique Way of Communicating
You might be blunt, struggle with sarcasm, or take things literally, leading to misunderstandings.
You Rehearse Conversations or Scripts
Before a conversation, you mentally prepare what to say, and after, you replay it to analyze how it went.
You Experience Meltdowns or Shutdowns
When overwhelmed, you might have emotional outbursts (meltdown) or completely withdraw (shutdown).
You Prefer Online or Text-Based Communication
You may find it easier to express yourself in writing rather than in spoken conversations.
You’re Either Super Organized or Struggle with Executive Functioning
You might be hyper-organized with lists and routines or have trouble starting tasks and managing time.
Social Norms Don’t Always Make Sense
You wonder why people follow unwritten rules, like pretending to be interested in small talk or avoiding certain topics.
You Feel Relieved When Learning About Autism
Reading about autism or watching videos from autistic adults feels like looking in a mirror, and suddenly, your past experiences start making sense.
