J. Lundberg
Active Member
Hello, I was diagnosed with ASD (level 1) a couple of years ago at the age of 47. Since then, my wife (NT) periodically assumes that others in my family might have it as well. So, I compiled a list of 23 common symptoms and attributes that I feel myself and most Aspies can relate to. If whoever she has in mind does not possess at least some or most of these qualities or characteristics, then they are probably not on the spectrum. Maybe this list will help others decide if they or someone they know are actually on the spectrum or not.
A person with Autism Spectrum Disorder typically:
1. Has sensory overload issues and therefore dislikes any loud or unexpected sound or bright lighting.
2. Is sensitive to stimulants.
3. Has a strong preference for isolation and privacy and little interest in close relationships with most people.
4. Deals with anxiety on almost an everyday basis.
5. Is uncomfortable in social situations and avoids small talk with most people. Conversations and maintaining eye contact with unfamiliar people can be both uncomfortable and draining.
6. Has an aversion to changing routine and thrives on keeping things structured. Experiences symptoms of anxiety with any disruption in routine. For example, Aspies typically tend to wear the same clothes and eat the same foods on a regular basis.
7. Consistently organizes things of interest and finds great comfort in doing so.
8. Is highly analytical and logical and sees patterns in everything. This is why many Aspies find mathematics and anything involving equations interesting.
9. Has obsessions in which they consistently involve themselves with interests or projects that many people would find uninteresting. Aspies also often find it difficult to stop obsessing over one thing in order to obsess over another.
10. Maintains a negative or skeptical thought process that consists of black/white all or none thinking in which people or situations are typically categorized into good/bad.
11. Often incorrectly reads people, taking things literally or skeptically and assuming that people’s motives are selfish, which leads to misunderstandings.
12. Typically has a lack of expression and monotone speech and feels uncomfortable or unnatural to smile, which makes them seem cold, unemotional, or detached.
13. Has an inability to deal with large crowds, especially when unexpected.
14. Often finds it difficult to effectively show empathy for others.
15. Can sometimes have excessive outbursts of anger and meltdowns over trivial matters.
16. Often uses blunt, to the point, honest, and direct speech and sometimes says inappropriate things out loud to others, not caring whether the person is offended or not. Aspies are often in a battle with themselves regarding when to use discretion.
17. Has a fascination or interest in animate objects, toys, and related items. Maintains a childlike interests as an adult.
18. Sometimes has little interest in maintaining personal appearance.
19. Is usually uncomfortable with affection from strangers.
20. Typically has absolutely terrible handwriting.
21. Has very poor short term memory for things they find uninteresting but can remember obscure events that happened several years ago, sometimes in great detail.
22. Often engages in a form of fidgeting or stimming, which includes knee bobbing or any repetitive motion with the hands or fingers.
23. Often displays OCD tendencies such as double checking things or repeating the same act a certain number of times.
A person with Autism Spectrum Disorder typically:
1. Has sensory overload issues and therefore dislikes any loud or unexpected sound or bright lighting.
2. Is sensitive to stimulants.
3. Has a strong preference for isolation and privacy and little interest in close relationships with most people.
4. Deals with anxiety on almost an everyday basis.
5. Is uncomfortable in social situations and avoids small talk with most people. Conversations and maintaining eye contact with unfamiliar people can be both uncomfortable and draining.
6. Has an aversion to changing routine and thrives on keeping things structured. Experiences symptoms of anxiety with any disruption in routine. For example, Aspies typically tend to wear the same clothes and eat the same foods on a regular basis.
7. Consistently organizes things of interest and finds great comfort in doing so.
8. Is highly analytical and logical and sees patterns in everything. This is why many Aspies find mathematics and anything involving equations interesting.
9. Has obsessions in which they consistently involve themselves with interests or projects that many people would find uninteresting. Aspies also often find it difficult to stop obsessing over one thing in order to obsess over another.
10. Maintains a negative or skeptical thought process that consists of black/white all or none thinking in which people or situations are typically categorized into good/bad.
11. Often incorrectly reads people, taking things literally or skeptically and assuming that people’s motives are selfish, which leads to misunderstandings.
12. Typically has a lack of expression and monotone speech and feels uncomfortable or unnatural to smile, which makes them seem cold, unemotional, or detached.
13. Has an inability to deal with large crowds, especially when unexpected.
14. Often finds it difficult to effectively show empathy for others.
15. Can sometimes have excessive outbursts of anger and meltdowns over trivial matters.
16. Often uses blunt, to the point, honest, and direct speech and sometimes says inappropriate things out loud to others, not caring whether the person is offended or not. Aspies are often in a battle with themselves regarding when to use discretion.
17. Has a fascination or interest in animate objects, toys, and related items. Maintains a childlike interests as an adult.
18. Sometimes has little interest in maintaining personal appearance.
19. Is usually uncomfortable with affection from strangers.
20. Typically has absolutely terrible handwriting.
21. Has very poor short term memory for things they find uninteresting but can remember obscure events that happened several years ago, sometimes in great detail.
22. Often engages in a form of fidgeting or stimming, which includes knee bobbing or any repetitive motion with the hands or fingers.
23. Often displays OCD tendencies such as double checking things or repeating the same act a certain number of times.
