this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2026
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Autism

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Subclinical autists, let's talk (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 6 days ago by schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works to c/autism@lemmy.world
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I've been internet-diagnosed with autism plenty of times, but the one time I went to get evaluated, they said I didn't have "it."

But if it's a spectrum with different combinations of different traits at different levels of intensity, maybe a diagnosis is irrelevant and what matters is what your constellation of traits actually is, regardless of an official diagnosis (which, let's face it, is probably highly subjective outside of some constellations--that is to say, with a long enough list of psychologits, I could probably get a dx).

Personally, for me, what this means is I can look to autistic literature to see what resonates with me without worrying about the fact that I don't share many of the hard markers for autism. For instance, my investment in the truth often conflicts with social niceties even though I can read people's emotions. I can see myself as an unofficially atypical person in a lot of ways.

I'll leave my resonsances in the comments below. Feel free to share yours.

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[–] Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online 6 points 6 days ago

I can't cope with life inside of a clinic either lol

But if you are asking about the definition it means not checking off enough boxes in terms of diagnostic criteria.

(I copied this from a resource on child diagnosis but same applies to adults. I should also be clear not all places in the world use the same criteria so I'm using mine as an example.)

To meet diagnostic criteria for ASD according to DSM-5, a child must have persistent deficits in each of three areas of social communication and interaction (see A.1. through A.3. below) plus at least two of four types of restricted, repetitive behaviors (see B.1. through B.4. below).

In addition to meeting these, the traits must:

  • must be present in the early developmental period (childhood)
  • symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
  • these disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay.

So if you have a lot of struggles but don't show 2 of four of the repetitive behaviors you won't get diagnosed. Same as people who check off enough of the traits but haven't had significant challenges because of the sheer luck of living a life that is coincidentally accommodating. Don't remember your childhood or don't have old report cards or people who can objectively describe your behavior as a child? You're out of luck!