How to know if you have autism

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Idk if I have autism or if I'm just socially awkward. Like whats the difference between being socially awkward and autistic? Like most of my symptoms are on the communication part like I don't see patterns and I'm not sensitive to light touch sound or anything but I do like schedules and I don't like switching things up. And If I do have it can I be normal or seen as normal and have a normal social life like everybody else or will ppl always be able to tell I have it. Cause I've been suicidal about this cause If I have it I feel like I'm going to be alone and I wouldn't want to be seen as different and social life is very important to me. Can social interactions be learnt to where you are normal?

Hi & welcome

As a female Aspie I can fake normal pretty well. So one can behave NT but that's on the surface in my experience. There's a whole lot of Aspie stuff going off in my head.

For example, conversation with my boss she's giving me an instruction and my inner voice goes like this....

Look in her eyes
Her hair is sticking up
Don't look at that
It's a nice day - look in her eyes not out the window
What is she saying
Look away or you'll freek her out staring at her eyes
Repeat!

So I probably pass but spent so much time focussing on my behaviour I only picked up half of what she said.

I get round this by always having a pad and I look at that and write down what she says. So again I pass

So managing the Aspergers for me is just that - it doesn't go away but it is possible to function in the NT world but it takes effort.

It's why I drink wine (in moderation!)

This works I think for some Aspies only; some Aspies are further up the spectrum than others and also faking NT is short term eg at work - probably not healthy and inviting meltdowns to try to live like that 24/7

There is no way of knowing for certain unless you get tested for it by trained professionals. There are "tests" online which, while they do not give a diagnosis, if you score highly on them it might be worth talking to your doctor about your suspicions.

But even if you do have it, yes you can have a normal social life. Everything "normal" people have picked up can be learnt. It is worth finding out so they can help you, if not with autism, but with your suicidal thoughts.

Good luck, and you're always welcome to stay on wrong planet and ask questions, people can be very helpful here.

There is a quiz out there, I believe it is this one, http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/autism.htm , it isn't some typical internet quiz, psychologists actually use it as well to help diagnosis people so it tends to be pretty accurate.

Edit- Considering it cites Simon Baron-Cohen, yea that is the right quiz, he is one of the biggest names outside of Atwood and a few other's when it comes to autism.

I'm worried about Fnord. By now he should've posted here.

He's not online 24/7 so he could be, you know, living his life?

Being Autistic involves A LOT MORE then being socially awkward.

Diagnostic Criteria

normally people just list off traits like scheduals, sensitive to light, and taking things literally but Autism is much more complex than that. it affects 3 main areas

1. Difficulty or inability to effectively socialize and communicate
2. Sensory sensitivities or intolerances
3 Repetition,Rituals, obsessions and inflexibilities.

this is vague but still fits the criteria, like me for example.

1. i have difficulty making and maintaining friendships, i cannot effectively communicate what I'm thinking and feeling however i can talk. I cannot read body language but i can read facial expressions to a degree.
2. im quite sensitive to sound and light but only mildly to taste, touch and im hyposensitive to smell
3. i cannot function without a strict schedule, i dislike any change in my environment (minor or otherwise), i become obsessed with topics and only stick to a certain life style.


it also should fit the MUDA criteria. MUDA stands for:

Maladaptive
Unjustifiable
Disturbing
Atypical

is my difficulty socializing, Obsessions and Sensitivities Maladaptive? does it interfere with my everyday life? yes (unless i dont socialize) infact it caused HUGE issues with me in the past but i wont get into that.

Is my symptoms Unjustifiable in a logical sense? no, not really. theres no other rational reason i behave the way i do.

Does my behaviour interfere with others lives? is it disturbing? Yes it is, (especially for my previous teachers and family members)

Is it Atypical, is it against social norms? yes.

MUDA is a real Psychological method used when people are being evaluated for mental and neurological disorders.

i know a BUNCH of people aren;t going to agree with me but this is based on my own research, experiences and evaluations.

just my opinion.

Haha I can't fake being normal at all.

I'm just too god damn impulsive that I like to whatever comes out of my mouth and i'm always joking around lol.

I'm sure there's other things as well.

THIS^ For the truth.

It is always a good idea to get a second opinion or a re-evaluation by a team of examiners; but again, only an appropriately-trained and licensed mental-health professional can render a diagnosis that is both valid and official. Such a person would have to examine you in person, at least once, and under carefully-controlled clinical conditions.

As far as I know, there is no such person as a member here on WP. We're just a bunch of amateur, arm-chair busybodies, at best. At worst, you are liable to encounter more than a few poseurs.