Lack These Autism Flags? You're Likely NOT on the Spectrum
Maybe you think you or a loved one is on the spectrum, when in reality, the person in question (or you) is just a little socially awkward. Also, sociability (or lack of it) is just one of many autism flags and doesn’t mean there is a neurodevelopmental condition. Autism is much more than that.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. While the symptoms and severity can vary widely as possible autism signs for adults, as a twist, there are also clear signs that someone does not fall on the autism spectrum. (NOTE: The only way to answer with certainty the question of whether a person has, or doesn’t have, autism is through an official diagnosis by a medical expert trained in the identification of ASD.)
If you are considering whether you or a loved one exhibits autism flags, it can be helpful to know of typical factors that are considered by a professional. If in doubt, conducting a pre-check of autism self-diagnosis screening can help you to either move forward or rule out ASD.
LEARN MORE: Defining Autism Spectrum Disorder – What Does It Feel Like?
Ruling Out ASD: Reviewing Autism Signs for Adults
Typical Social Communication
One of the core autism flags is difficulty with social communication and interaction. People without autism generally have no issues with back-and-forth conversations. Their ability to take turns during a dialogue develops effortlessly from a young age.
They can engage in reciprocal exchanges where they share thoughts, feelings, and ideas fluidly with others. But to add to some confusion, it seems that research suggests that autistic women are better at this than men, and also with masking, making ruling out autism a bit trickier.
Understanding and using nonverbal communication like body language, facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact also comes naturally to those not on the autism spectrum. They can instinctively read social cues and body language to aid their comprehension during interactions. Making appropriate eye contact is an innate skill that neurotypical individuals don’t have to practice consciously.
People without autism intuitively grasp social norms, boundaries, and expectations based on their environment and situation. Things like understanding personal space, distinguishing between public and private behaviors, and picking up on unspoken social rules and etiquette happen automatically, without explicit instruction or therapy.
Overall, their communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal, develop gradually and naturally without intensive intervention from a very young age. The social deficits and pragmatic language difficulties that are core symptoms of autism are completely absent.
LEARN MORE: Autism Social Skills – Inferencing and Body Language Hurdles to Overcome
Flexible Behavior and Interests
Restrictive and repetitive behaviors and interests are another central characteristic of autism spectrum disorder. People who do not have autism tend to have a wide range of interests that can evolve and change over time based on their experiences.
While they may have specific hobbies, topics of fascination, or preferred activities, these interests do not become all-consuming obsessions or rituals like they often do for those on the autism spectrum. Their behaviors surrounding interests and activities remain flexible rather than rigid or overly regimented.
Similarly, neurotypical people can easily adjust and transition when schedules, routines, or environments change without experiencing intense distress or meltdowns. Their behaviors are not bound by the need for sameness and they can “go with the flow” and tolerate even unexpected disruptions well.
Examples of repetitive behaviors that are common with autism like rocking, spinning, or hand-flapping, repeating words or phrases, or lining up objects in particular orders, are completely absent in those without the condition. Their behaviors and mannerisms are appropriate for the given context and situation.
LEARN MORE: Monotropism Theory – How to Navigate Intense Interests
Strong Understanding of Abstract Concepts
They can grasp metaphors, analogies, and figurative language without it having to be overtly explained. Idioms, multiple meanings of words, and non-literal language do not present a barrier to their understanding. Interpreting humor, irony, and sarcasm are natural abilities that don’t require specialized instruction.
Their thinking and reasoning skills are flexible and not rigid or concrete. They can easily theorize, analyze, and think in abstract ways that go beyond just observing the tangible and literal. Neurotypical people can think through hypothetical scenarios, understand implied meanings, and make inferences effortlessly.
This critical reasoning and higher-order cognitive skills allow them to understand not just the literal meaning, but also the deeper intentions, motivations, beliefs, and perspectives behind other people’s thoughts and behaviors. This ability for perspective-taking is a related social-cognitive skill that those with autism can lack.
LEARN MORE: Autism on the Brain – Unpacking the Meaning Behind Neurodiversity
Typical Sensory Processing
Many individuals on the spectrum display the common autism flags of sensory processing issues, where they are over or under-sensitive to one or more of the five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch). This can manifest as an avoidance of things like loud noises, bright lights, strong smells or tastes, or certain textures. Or it can mean a fascination or heightened interest in specific sensory experiences.
People who are not on the spectrum have neurotypical sensory processing abilities that are consistent with normal childhood development. They are not overly sensitive or under-sensitive to sights, sounds, smells, textures, or tastes in their environment, although of course, everyone has preferences. Their sensory perception and integration abilities allow them to filter out unnecessary sensory information and focus on what is relevant and important.
Certain sensory experiences may be subjectively unpleasant for an individual who is considered neurotypical, like a blaring sound or a foul odor, but it does not prompt the extreme “fight or flight” reaction and sensory overload that can occur with autism. Their physiological and emotional responses to sensory input are within normal ranges and do not significantly disrupt their level of functioning.
Those without autism can integrate input from multiple senses simultaneously without confusion or distress. Their sense of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch all work together in synchronization rather than being experienced as separate and disconnected inputs like in some cases of ASD.
Overall, sensory processing and integration happen automatically and subconsciously for those not on the spectrum, allowing them to accurately perceive and respond to information from the environment in appropriate ways. This is a case for autism self-diagnosis as a pre-check tool if trying to determine whether further review might be beneficial.
LEARN MORE: 10 Proven Techniques for Managing Autism and Sensory Issues
Autism Self-Diagnosis Reflection: Developing Skills on Schedule
Another key difference is that neurotypical individuals without autism tend to hit developmental milestones for things like language, cognitive abilities, motor skills, and social/emotional skills within the expected timeframes. While every child develops at their own pace, those not on the spectrum do not experience severe or significantly delayed skill acquisition like is common with ASD.
Language skills like babbling, first words, putting words together into phrases and sentences, conversational abilities, etc. emerge gradually but predictably based on age norms. Rather than exhibiting a lack of speech or significant language delays, neurotypical children have age-appropriate communication development.
Cognitive milestones like problem-solving abilities, memory skills, understanding of cause and effect, and hitting learning benchmarks in areas like reading, writing, and math happen within a realistic schedule barring any separate cognitive impairment.
Motor development allows for skills like reaching, grasping, sitting, crawling, walking, running, throwing, balancing, and coordination with physical tasks and activities that also progress in the anticipated progression for children without autism.
And perhaps most crucially, key social and emotional milestones like joint attention (ability to follow another’s gaze or pointing), social smiling and interest in others’ presence from an early age, imaginative play, understanding of emotions, empathy, and ability to maintain friendships and relationships happen organically without major delays or deficits in those who are not on the spectrum.
While there can be some relatively minor and temporary lags in certain areas, overall the development of language, cognitive, motor, social, and emotional capabilities happens within a fairly predictable schedule and sequence for neurotypical individuals. Any major and pervasive developmental delays, especially surrounding social and communication development, would raise red flags for a potential autism diagnosis.
LEARN MORE: Is an Autism Diagnosis in Adult Age a Life Changer?
Autism Flags: Beyond the Core Symptoms
In addition to a lack of the core autism flags like social/communication deficits, repetitive behaviors, and sensory issues, many associated signs and traits are also characteristic of not being on the spectrum:
- Strong eye contact and attention skills
- Tendency to initiate social interactions, conversations, and friendships
- Interest in sharing experiences and achievements with others
- Ability to understand figurative language like metaphors and idioms
- Engaged in imaginative, creative play as a child
- Responds appropriately to others’ emotions and shows empathy
- Flexible thinking and behavior rather than rigid or concrete
- Sensory processing aligned with normal development and experiences
While no single trait definitively confirms or rules out an autism diagnosis, the presence of all of these typical behaviors and abilities in conjunction with an absence of autistic traits provides compelling evidence that an individual is not on the autism spectrum.
Of course, some conditions like social anxiety, attention deficits, speech delays, or other developmental disorders can mask or mirror certain symptoms in some cases. But for the most part, a comprehensive evaluation by qualified medical and mental health professionals can distinguish autism signs for adults from other issues.
LEARN MORE: Am I Neurodivergent? Understanding Neurodiversity and Its Value Is Key
Professionals Consider the Whole Picture vs Autism Self-Diagnosis
When assessing for autism, clinicians do not just look for the presence or absence of a particular symptom or behavior. Rather, they take a comprehensive approach to evaluating the full range of the individual’s social abilities, communication skills, interests, activities, sensory responses, and development across multiple settings and contexts.
This often involves using structured screening tools and observational assessments, as well as gathering input from parents, teachers, caregivers, and the individual themselves when possible. The professional will look for patterns and trends of autistic traits, attempting to rule out other potential explanations.
They consider the severity and pervasiveness of any present symptoms or developmental delays/differences. Autism spectrum disorder involves a cluster of persisting deficits that cause significant, ongoing impairment across multiple areas of functioning from early childhood, not isolated or temporary issues.
The clinician also looks at when autism signs for adults emerged developmentally and whether there was a regression or loss of previously acquired skills, which can be an indicator of ASD. They evaluate the impact the autism flags have had on the individual’s daily life, relationships, and activities.
Ultimately, a comprehensive diagnosis is not based on a single checklist, but rather weighing all of the information available through a multidisciplinary approach. This process of careful evaluation helps ensure other conditions are ruled out before determining if an individual meets the specific criteria for autism spectrum disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).
LEARN MORE: Spotlight on the Spectrum – Understanding 3 Levels of Autism
Supporting Positive Outcomes
For those who do receive an autism diagnosis, the next steps involve getting connected to evidence-based services, accommodations, and supports that can help them reach their full potential. While autism is a lifelong condition, appropriate interventions and therapies can make a big difference.
Those who do not demonstrate autism signs for adults may still benefit from guidance in other areas of need. However, the strategies, approaches, and interventions will be different from what works for autism.
In the end, an accurate diagnosis based on autism signs for adults from a professional vs. autism self-diagnosis helps ensure the targeted type and level of support needed to help manage any specific challenges or delays faced. It allows resources to be properly allocated to those who truly require autism services.
Whether or not autism is present, the goal is to identify each individual’s unique strengths and needs to set them up for success. With the right customized care and accommodations in place, people with or without autism flags can thrive and live full, enriching, and rewarding lives.
LEARN MORE: Revealing Hidden Struggles – Top 10 Autism Challenges Explored
Autism Signs for Adults: Many Associated Symptoms Are Clear
While autism exists on a wide spectrum encompassing varying levels of ability and disability, there are some core deficits and associated symptoms that are universal to the diagnosis. People who do not demonstrate difficulties with social communication, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing issues from early childhood are more than likely clearly exhibiting signs of being neurotypical rather than on the autism spectrum.
At the same time, clinicians perform comprehensive evaluations to ensure autism is not being masked or overlooked due to co-occurring conditions. By carefully considering development across domains, they can make an accurate determination and get each person connected to the proper services and support.
Increasing awareness of both the unique strengths associated with autism as well as the distinct challenges it presents allows for better advocacy, policy-making, services, and overall inclusion and acceptance. Understanding what autism is and is not is important to ensure all individuals get the resources and accommodations they require to thrive.
LEARN MORE: Autism Adult Assessment – Why It’s Never Too Late to Be Diagnosed
The Importance of Understanding
While the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder involve difficulties with social communication, restricted interests/repetitive behaviors, and sensory issues, every individual is unique. Some people may exhibit traits of autism in certain situations or to varying degrees, while not meeting the full diagnostic criteria.
That’s why it’s crucial not to make assumptions or attempt to self-diagnose based on prescriptive checklists. Autism exists on a wide spectrum, and many other developmental and mental health conditions can have overlapping characteristics. Only a comprehensive professional evaluation can provide an accurate later-life diagnosis based on autism signs for adults.
At the same time, increasing awareness and education about the distinct hallmarks of autism allows for better screening, earlier identification and intervention, and more effective support and accommodations for those who are on the spectrum. It also helps society become more inclusive and accepting of differing abilities.
For those who clearly do not demonstrate persistent autistic traits from early childhood that significantly impair daily functioning across multiple contexts, an autism diagnosis would be unwarranted. However, that doesn’t mean they may not face other challenges that require assistance, services, or accommodations.
Every person deserves to have their unique needs recognized and supported, whether or not they have autism. It’s also important not to pathologize traits as abnormal from social norms.
The most important thing is creating a world that embraces neurodiversity and works to empower all individuals to reach their fullest potential. With compassion, understanding, and the right resources in place, all people can thrive and live authentically in their ways. Increasing our knowledge about autism, and what it is not, is a vital step in that journey.
LEARN MORE: Individuation and Why Standing Up For Yourself is So Powerful
Common Autistic Behaviors
There are many behaviors associated with having autism. Keep in mind that everyone presents differently, which is why it is caused by a spectrum disorder. However, there are common autism behaviors. Learn more about them.
- Autism and Eye Rolling: Why It’s Odd, But Perfectly Okay
- Eye Contact Avoidance: 8 Best Ways to See Eye to Eye
- 10 Proven Techniques for Managing Autism and Sensory Issues
- Behaving Badly: Is Using Autism as An Excuse Ever Okay?
- Autism and ADHD: Making Sense of the Overlap
- Autism Masking & Code Switching: How to Redefine Acceptance
- Autistic Stimming Behaviors: Why We Do and How It’s Important
- OCD and Autism: Could You Have One Condition or Both?
- Break Free From These 7 Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
- Autism in Sports: Hyper-Focus Can Be A Commanding Competitive Advantage
