I Think I’m Autistic, But....

Does this sound like you?

• You make friends easily but find it impossible to meet the demands of maintaining close relationships.

• You have no trouble with understanding facial expressions, but people tell you they are fine even though they look sad.

• You enjoy strong sensory input such as loud music or big hugs.

• You don’t relate to ‘black-and-white’ thinking - you believe that most topics have more nuance.

• You’ve done quizzes on autistic traits but felt that the questions weren't clear enough.

Many people assume autism always looks a certain way, but the reality is much more complex.

If you've ever wondered whether you might be autistic but felt like you didn’t fit the mould, you’re not alone. In fact, taking the autism criteria literally may be due to rigid thinking – an autistic trait in itself!

Let’s address some common misconceptions about autism to help you better understand whether an autism diagnosis might apply to you.

Can I be autistic with good eye contact?

Put simply, yes. Eye contact is just one part of nonverbal communication, and there may be other nonverbal communication behaviours that are difficult for you to express or interpret.

Many autistic people also mask difficulties with eye-contact with strategies such as:

• Making short glances

• Practicing in the mirror

• Making intense eye-contact, to the point where others find it jarring

Expectations and comfort with eye contact varies between culture and personal preference, even amongst allistic (non-autistic) people. Within the nonverbal communication domain, autistic people may also struggle with interpreting or using facial expressions and other body language, however autistic people may mask by researching or carefully copying others' nonverbal communication, and they might end up more in-tune with these subtle mannerisms than allistic people.

Can I be autistic without social issues?

If you’re introverted, feel that you do not need to make friends, make friends easily but prefer to spend your free time with only one person, or don't feel pressured to conform to social norms - you may believe you do not have social issues.

However, autism always involves some form of social difficulty, even if it doesn’t feel like a personal issue. These difficulties manifest in the way an autistic person understands, processes, or responds to social interactions. In short, whether or not it feels like a ‘problem’, autistic people will generally have a hard time navigating and adapting to the ever-changing demands of what is expected in relationships, group settings, or the general public, without facing exhaustion.

Even if an autistic person does not feel lonely or distressed by these challenges, the differences in social interaction styles still exist. Socially ‘successful’ autistic people still navigate the world differently than their allistic peers.

Can I be autistic without experiencing meltdowns?

Not all autistic people have visible meltdowns - but that doesn’t mean they don’t experience distress or shutdowns. Meltdowns are typically intense, emotional responses to overstimulation, frustration or change, but they can look different depending on the person.

Instead, you may experience intense internal distress that is not outwardly observable, or wait until you are in a safe environment before releasing your emotions.

You may also experience verbal shutdowns, withdrawal or freezing. Often autistic people will have heightened emotional responses to changes, perceived injustices or sensory triggers, but these responses aren’t always visible to bystanders.

Can I be autistic without having sensory issues?

Sensory processing differences are part of the autism diagnostic criteria, but they don’t always look the way people expect. Many people assume sensory differences means disliking loud noises or bright lights, but sensory profiles vary widely. Sensory sensitivity can encompass both an over-responsiveness (hypersensitivity) or under-responsiveness (hyposensitivity) to sensory input.

Most autistic people will have a mixture of responsiveness, where they avoid certain sensory experiences and seek others. These preferences may change greatly depending on mood, energy levels or simply whether they have control over their sensory environment. For example, you may be okay with making loud noises yourself but feel irritated when others do.

Some autistic people with comorbid ADHD or dissociation-related symptoms may not notice sensory sensitivities immediately. This may come at the cost of burnout in the long run, and unexpected emotional build-up after experiencing sensory overwhelm.

So I could be autistic?

If you’ve been thinking, “I think I’m autistic, but…”, you may have been misled by stereotypes or the idea that autism only looks one way. The truth is, autism is a spectrum - not in the sense of ‘mild’ to ‘severe’, but in the sense that each autistic person presents differently depending on their individual symptomology.

Many autistic adults don’t recognize themselves in diagnostic criteria because:

• They have masked their differences for years

• They compare themselves to stereotypes that do not reflect the full spectrum

• They have adapted or accommodated to their behaviour without realising

• They have comorbidities (e.g. ADHD) which alter how their symptoms present

If you resonate with the experiences discussed in this blog, it may be worth exploring autism further. It may be beneficial to seek formal assessment, talk about your symptoms to a psychologist or to other autistic people, or simply reflect on how you navigate the world differently.

At Psychwest, we understand the nuances within the autism diagnostic criteria, and can help you explore your symptoms in a safe, supportive environment. Whether you’re considering an autism assessment or just want to talk through your experiences, our team is here for you. Reach out now to engage with one of our experienced psychologists.