What are some indicators of mild autism in adults who may not be aware of their condition?

[Answered on Quora.com by Gundy Kaupins]

The subtle signs all can be found in the American Psychiatric Associations DSM-V definition of autism.

Here is a list of some of the signs.

1. Intense interests in subjects such as different types of barn doors.

2. Liking routines and resisting changes in them.

3. Having social difficulties with understanding gestures and maintaining eye contact.

4. Violating conversational rules such as telling unfiltered truth. “Did you know that he looked drunk last night.” This statement is made about a student in a math class.

5. Literal thinking. This makes it more difficult to follow directions if the directions seem ambiguous, have gaps, and incorporate unspoken assumptions.

6. Being sensitive to too much light or sound. Having two people talking loudly nearby might drive this person batty.

7. Stimming. Having unexplained twitches, for example.


These are just a few of possible symptoms of mild autism. No one needs to show all of them to prove there is mild autism. As the mantra in the autism counseling and research world states—-every autistic person is different.