Signs can be masked or mistaken for other things – leading to autism often being misdiagnosed or undiagnosed
A doctor has shared the often overlooked signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in adults. Often misunderstood, ASD presents differently in each individual, with many traits easily masked or mistaken for personality quirks, anxiety, introversion, or other psychological conditions – leading to frequent misdiagnoses or years of being undiagnosed.
While autism is commonly associated with childhood behaviours like difficulty with eye contact or a preference for solitude, the reality is far more complex. In adults, it can manifest through discomfort with small talk, ‘all or nothing’ thinking, mirroring mannerisms, and more.
Accredited Psychologist and Founder of Nos Curare, Dr. Bijal Chheda-Varma, has worked extensively with neurodivergent individuals. Now, she’s highlighted seven overlooked signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Seven ‘unnoticed’ signs of autism
Intense hyper-fixations
The expert says that many autistic individuals develop deep interests in specific topics or activities, often referred to as hyper-fixations or ‘special interests.’ These go far beyond casual hobbies. In fact, they can be all-consuming, becoming a major focus of their everyday thoughts and energy for months, even years.
In these cases, shifting their attention to other important tasks can feel impossible. While this intense focus can sometimes be overwhelming, it fuels their curiosity and creativity.
Subjects of interest can range from pop culture to historical events, or even niche topics such as trains and dinosaurs. They may spend hours a day getting lost in research or organising their collection of memorabilia, only to feel frustrated when others don’t share their enthusiasm.
Mirroring mannerisms
Referred to as ‘masking’, many autistic individuals adapt to social situations by hiding the signature behaviours of the disorder and mirroring others instead. From imitating an accent, adopting certain phrases, or even replicating body language, autistic individuals use this strategy to seem ‘neurotypical’ in the eyes of their peers and society.
Other ways that autistic individuals mask include suppressing their true emotions or pretending to understand certain things. It can be a conscious or unconscious way of trying to blend in or avoid drawing unwanted attention to themselves.
However, those who mask show higher signs of anxiety and depression, leading to stress, burnout, and even a loss of identity. The right autism treatment can help individuals unmask safely and develop coping strategies.
‘All-or-nothing’ thinking
Autistic individuals often struggle with ‘black-and-white thinking’, also known as polarised thinking patterns. This means they can categorise situations, people, ideas, and emotions into two categories: strictly right or wrong, with little room for grey areas.
For example, they may interpret a sudden shift in facial expressions as solely happiness or anger or consider a small mistake as a complete failure. This is why, in many cases, autistic individuals may display rigid moral codes or in some cases, unhealthy perfectionism.
This makes it especially difficult to navigate social situations, especially when people display behaviours that fall outside simply ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
Strong need for routine
Many autistic people find comfort in structure and predictability because it helps them manage sensory overload and avoid possible social stressors. So much so that unexpected changes usually throw off their entire day.
Daily routine habits can range from taking the same route to work, re-watching their favourite TV shows, or needing to do the same bedtime rituals.
Picky eating is also a common manifestation of this symptom. Familiar foods provide them with a sense of security, while the idea of trying new foods can send them into a panic attack.
Where most people enjoy a level of routine in their lives, autistic individuals feel an intense need for consistency. Any disruptions to their routine are great causes of anxiety and distress as sudden changes can be difficult to process.
Discomfort with small talk
While neurotypical people can handle casual conversations about the weather, weekend plans, or daily life, these might feel meaningless or even stressful for individuals with mild to moderate autism. They might prefer deep, specific discussions- especially about their current hyper-fixations over surface-level chatter. Small talk tends to exhaust and oftentimes confuse them as they struggle with knowing about the ‘right’ things to say in these instances.
As well as this, small talk typically leads them to masking- the act of mimicking other people’s social behaviours to fit in. This can involve forcing smiles or rehearsing generic responses, which can be draining for them.
On the other hand, individuals with severe autism may need more support as they tend to have difficulty with verbal speech, eye contact, or conventional social interactions. However, they might respond in other ways, such as using gestures, body language, or assistive communication devices.
Sensory sensitivities and overstimulation
Many autistic people experience heightened or diminished sensitivity to sensory stimuli. Certain noises, bright lights, specific textures, or even strong smells can be overwhelming as they feel like an assault to their senses.
This leads to overstimulation or sensory overload, making it a challenge to focus or participate in daily activities due to stress and anxiety. When they’re overstimulated, they may feel the need to escape from their current environment or practice ‘stimming’, which are self-stimulatory behaviours used to self-soothe.
On the other hand, some autistic individuals may seek out certain sensory experiences such as soft fabrics, repetitive sounds, or specific types of movement as a way to feel grounded.
Difficulty interpreting social cues
Understanding unspoken social rules such as when it’s your turn to speak or how to interpret body language can be challenging for many autistic individuals. They may also have difficulty recognising when a topic of conversation has shifted or when someone is losing interest in the discussion.
Additionally, they often struggle with indirect language, finding it difficult to pick up on implied meanings, vague hints, or social cues that rely on context rather than straightforward statements. This is why they often take things literally, missing sarcasm or misinterpreting jokes. These instances can result in feelings of isolation or social exhaustion, especially when trying to navigate daily interactions.
