"🧠Autism vs. Quirks🥴: No, You’re Probably Not ‘A Little Autistic’"

Let’s be real, we’ve all met someone who’s said, “I think I’m a little autistic because I hate small talk, I don't like being in public places, I am very shy.” Or maybe you’ve thought it yourself.

But here’s the thing: Autism isn’t just about social awkwardness, disliking bright lights, or being obsessed with one topic. While many people can relate to some autistic traits, that doesn’t mean they’re on the autism spectrum. So, what’s the difference? How do we respect and understand autism without turning it into a personality type? Let’s break it down, with humor, facts, and just enough sarcasm to keep things interesting.

🤔Step 1: What Is Autism, Really? (And What It’s Not)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition that affects how people communicate, process information, and experience the world. It’s not just a personality quirk and it’s a fundamentally different way of thinking. People often think they are a little bit autistic but they do not really understand the real issue around Autism Spectrum Disorder.

🚨 Key Traits of Autism (According to Science, Not Memes) 🚨
✔️ Sensory Sensitivities – Overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights, or strong smells.
✔️ Social Differences – Difficulty with eye contact, reading social cues, or small talk.
✔️ Repetitive Behaviors & Routines – Comfort in structure; disruptions cause stress.
✔️ Deep Special Interests – Extreme focus on specific topics (more than just a hobby like listening specific music genre).
✔️ Differences in Communication – Literal thinking, echolalia (repeating phrases), or nonverbal communication.

🧠 Scientific Note: Autism isn’t just a “more intense” version of being introverted, It’s linked to distinct differences in brain wiring (Baron-Cohen et al., 2001).

🤷‍♀️Step 2: What About People Who Just Have Autistic Traits?

Now, just because you hate crowded parties, love routines, or hyper-focus on niche topics doesn’t mean you’re autistic. I often thought that I was autistic because I had some issues focusing on some subjects and other issues but I realized that I was not even close to be autistic.

🚩 Here’s the difference:

• Autistic people struggle with these things in ways that impact daily life.
• People with autistic traits can adapt more easily and don’t experience these struggles as intensely.

Think of it like this:
✔️ You love schedules → Great.
❌ A schedule change causes you actual distress or a meltdown → That’s more aligned with autism.

✔️ You don’t like eye contact → Common.
❌ Eye contact feels physically uncomfortable or unnatural → That’s a sign of autism.

👨‍⚕️What the Research Says:
Studies show that while many people have isolated autistic traits, actual autism requires a broader pattern of neurodevelopmental differences (Happé et al., 2006).

🧠Step 3: Take the Quiz – Do You Have Trust Issues With Your Brain? 📜

Answer these with YES or NO:

1. Do sensory experiences (lights, sounds, textures) often feel overwhelming, not just annoying?
2. Do you struggle with basic social interactions to the point that they cause stress?
3. Do you find yourself missing sarcasm or social cues often?
4. Do you need strict routines to function properly?
5. Have you ever been evaluated for autism or ADHD?

Results:

• 0-1 Yes: You’re neurotypical (congrats, I guess).
• 2-3 Yes: You may have some neuro-divergent traits, but that doesn’t mean autism.
• 4-5 Yes: If these traits have impacted your life significantly, consider speaking with a professional.

💪Step 4: Why It Matters – Autism Isn’t Just a Quirk

So, why is it a problem when people say, “We’re all a little autistic”?

1. It Dismisses Real Struggles

For autistic people, their traits aren’t just preferences—they shape their daily lives. Saying “everyone is a little autistic” is like saying “everyone is a little blind” because they squint sometimes.

2. It Makes Diagnosis Harder

Many autistic adults (especially women and minorities) go undiagnosed because of misconceptions about what autism looks like (Lai et al., 2015). If we water down autism to just being quirky, real autistic people struggle to get the support they need.

3. It Reinforces Stereotypes

Autistic people are often seen as either socially awkward geniuses or nonverbal children. In reality, autism is a spectrum with many different presentations (Mandy et al., 2012).

🤝🏾Step 5: How to Support Autism Awareness (Without Making It About You)

✅ 1. Listen to Autistic Voices

Read blogs, follow autistic advocates, and learn from actual lived experiences. Read articles like this one that will teach you more about autism.

✅ 2. Understand Neurodiversity

Autism is part of neurodiversity The idea behind this is that brains work in different ways, manages information differently and that’s okay.

✅ 3. Be an Ally, Not a Diagnostician

• Don’t: Diagnose yourself or others based on TikTok videos, Facebook posts, or any guy out there on internet (Not me though).
• Do: Encourage real evaluations for those who need them.

❤Final Thought: You’re Not “A Little Autistic,” But That’s Okay

Having autistic traits doesn’t make you autistic, just like enjoying a medical drama doesn’t make you a doctor. Instead of claiming autism, let’s focus on understanding and supporting those who actually have it. Because in the end, awareness isn’t about labels, it’s about respect, dignity and inclusion. So when you see someone who really experiences autism, do not say "That person looks awkward", instead acknowledge their difference and understand they just perceive the world in their own way. Not everyone is autistic but everyone can participate to make the world a better place where everyone will feel valued whatever their particularities.

💬 Have you ever thought you had autistic traits? Let’s discuss.

References

• Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31(1), 5-17.
• Happé, F., Ronald, A., & Plomin, R. (2006). Time to give up on a single explanation for autism. Nature Neuroscience, 9(10), 1218-1220.
• Lai, M.-C., Lombardo, M. V., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2015). Autism in women and girls. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 28(2), 138-145.
• Mandy, W., Charman, T., & Skuse, D. (2012). Testing the construct validity of proposed criteria for DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(1), 41-50.