More and more, we hear about the autistic neurotype in the media and from people around us. This might lead you to wonder ‘Can you have autistic traits and not know it?’ Many of us only discover we're autistic when we're adults. This happens because we're starting to understand better what it means to be autistic, including the non-stereotyped, nuanced and masked experience. And as we talk more about it, some people spot qualities in themselves they never linked to autism before.
Can you have autistic qualities and not know it?
In today's world, thanks to TV shows, books, and the internet, there's a growing number of people who see parts of themselves in stories about autistic individuals. Some have a fixed idea that there's only one way to be autistic. But, just like every person is unique, there are many ways to experience autism, and some might have these qualities without ever realising it.
Real Stories of People Discovering their Autistic Qualities
Let's look at some stories.
Jasmine, 35, always felt extra stressed in busy places with lots of sounds and lights. She just thought she was different. But after reading about how some autistic people can feel sounds and sights very intensely, things clicked for her.
Mark, 28, can talk for hours about his favourite topics. Some folks found him a bit much. But after he went to a talk about autism, he understood that deep interest in particular subjects is common in the Autistic Community.
And then there's Raj, who at 42, realised he likes routines not because he's 'boring', but because it's part of the autistic experience to find comfort in routine.
These tales tell us that everyone's autistic experience is personal. Qualities can pop up in different ways, and sometimes people brush them off as just being unique or quirky habits.
Understanding the autistic neurotype is like opening a book filled with a multitude of stories. Each page tells of different experiences, emotions, and ways of seeing the world. The beauty of this diversity is that it shows there's no one-size-fits-all definition of being autistic. Every individual's journey and realisation offers a depth of insights, challenges, and moments of personal growth.
Learning more about the autistic neurotype doesn't just benefit those of us who identify as autistic. It enriches everyone's perspective, making our communities more inclusive and empathetic. By embracing these varied experiences and narratives, we can foster an environment where everyone feels valued and understood.
If you're on a quest to understand yourself or someone you know better, remember that discovery is a continuous process. Our website aims to be a trusted companion on this journey. Here, you'll find resources, information, and supportive spaces to guide and nurture your understanding.
This neuroaffirming article on ‘Could You Have Autistic Traits and Not Realise?’ covers information that people might search for using searches like: “Can you be autistic?”, “Can you be slightly autistic?”, “Am I autistic?”, “Could I be slightly autistic?”, “Can someone be autistic?”, “Can someone be slightly autistic?”, “Can someone be slightly on the autism spectrum?”, “Can someone have a little bit of autism?”, “How do I know if I have autism?”, “Could I be a bit autistic?”, “Could I have become an adult and never known that I was autistic?”, “Could I be autistic and not know it?”, “"Autism in adults”, “Autistic traits and not knowing it”, “Hidden autism”, “could I have autism and not know it?”.
Please note, the language used in the search terms above may not be neuroaffirming, but they may be search terms that people use. By listing these here, the hope is that people may end up accessing these pages and learning information about the autistic neurotype through the neuroaffirming lens, rather than the impairment based information that is so plentifully available.
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