Do you relate? A gentle self-reflection

A set of common autistic experiences to reflect on — for adults wondering about themselves. It's private, takes a few minutes, and gives you something to think about, not a label.

Please read first: this is not a test or a diagnosis, and it can't tell you whether you're autistic — only a qualified professional can assess, and many people self-identify too. Many autistic andnon-autistic people relate to some of these. It's a starting point for reflection. Your answers stay on your device — nothing is saved or sent. Wondering about your child instead? Start with your pediatrician, and see the resources.

1.Bright lights, loud or particular sounds, smells, or textures affect me more than they seem to affect other people.
2.I notice small details, patterns, or changes that others miss.
3.Social situations can be confusing or draining, and I'm not always sure what's expected.
4.I find small talk hard or pointless, but I can talk for a long time about things I care about.
5.I've been told I'm 'too direct,' or I miss things like sarcasm or unspoken social rules.
6.Unexpected changes to my plans or routine throw me off more than they seem to for others.
7.I lean on routines, sameness, or small rituals to feel okay.
8.I have deep, absorbing interests I can happily lose myself in for hours.
9.I copy or rehearse how to act in social settings, and it's tiring to keep up.
10.After socializing, I often need a lot of quiet time alone to recover.
11.I've sometimes felt like I'm performing 'normal' rather than being myself.
12.Starting, switching between, or organizing tasks can be hard even when I want to do them.
13.I process things deeply and may need extra time to respond, or to recover from feeling overwhelmed.
14.I've often felt different from the people around me, without always knowing why.

0 of 14 answered

Answer each one with your first instinct — there are no right answers.