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Health and Neurological Survey for Autistic Individuals (Anonymous)
General Autism Poll (Anonymous)
What Symptoms Overlap in High Sensitivity and Adult Autism? (Anonymous)
Results: Signs That Overlap & Differ Survey
I gave a group of Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) this Checklist of Signs of Autism in Adults to determine which signs overlap and which ones may differ.
I separated them into the following three categories:
Overlapping Signs of HSPs and Autism (With 70% or more of HSPs sharing they also experience these signs)
Signs That Differ (30% or less of HSPs checked these signs of Autism)
Lots of Middle Ground (31%-69% of HSPs checked these signs of Autism)
Overlapping Signs of Highly Sensitive People and Those with Autism
(70% or more of HSPs share that they also experience these signs):
98% of HSPs checked: You value honesty, transparency, and truth in your relationships.
96% of HSPs checked: You prefer to have a select few friends who you are deeply close to versus having numerous, more superficial friendships.
94% of HSPs checked: When you work on something you enjoy, you easily become absorbed in that activity.
90% of HSPs checked: It’s easier to regulate your emotions when you feel like you have control over your environment.
90% of HSPs checked: You are good at noticing details.
88.5% of HSPs checked: You are extremely loyal to your loved ones.
86.5% of HSPs checked: When things feel out of control or chaotic, you feel especially anxious.
80% of HSPs checked: It feels impossible to ignore assaults on your senses. For example, a scratchy sweater can completely distract you from the work you need to complete.
77% of HSPs checked: You’ve consistently felt different from your peers.
77% of HSPs checked: You are very persistent and goal-oriented when it comes to things you care deeply about.
73% of HSPs checked: It feels safest and most comfortable when you know what to expect.
71% of HSPs checked: You care deeply and are extremely knowledgeable about a few specific areas of interest.
71% of HSPs checked: Small talk feels pointless. If you engage in it, it feels cumbersome.
71% of HSPs checked: You love talking about your passions. Spending hours discussing your hobbies or interests is easy and doesn’t feel boring.
Signs That Differ
(30% or less of HSPs checked these signs of Autism)
27% of HSPs checked: It’s difficult to change your mind.
23% of HSPs checked: Thinking in absolutes (i.e., always, never, definitely) comes most naturally to you. Needing to consider the in-betweens or “grey areas” (i.e., sometimes, only in certain situations) feels more difficult.
21% of HSPs checked: To prepare for a social outing, you think of jokes or phrases ahead of time to use in conversation.
20% of HSPs checked: Eye contact is extremely uncomfortable.
19% of HSPs checked: You struggle with extreme social anxiety.
11.5% of HSPs checked: You have trouble reading people’s non-verbal cues.
Lots of Middle Ground
(31%-69% of HSPs Checked These Signs of Autism)
69% of HSPs checked: You often feel misunderstood by others.
69% of HSPs checked: You function best with routine and consistency.
59% of HSPs checked: You really enjoy certain sensory input, and engaging with that input can help you regulate your emotions. For example, rocking back and forth or rubbing your face with a soft fabric can calm your anxiety.
58% of HSPs checked: You are exceptionally passionate about your hobbies and interests. You know more about your interests than most of the people you know.
56% of HSPs checked: You find it difficult to relate to the general public. Oftentimes, you don’t understand why they like the things they like or do what they do.
54% of HSPs checked: Even in situations where people have included you in social outings, you feel out of place or very uncomfortable.
54% of HSPs checked: Sudden changes in plans really bother you and can easily ruin your mood.
53% of HSPs checked: Your relationship with sensory input is at the extremes—you are either very sensitive to certain sensory input or you need a lot of input for it to register. For example, you may be sensitive to certain noises or smells but prefer deep hugs to light touch.
50% of HSPs checked: More often than not, you feel anxious.
46% of HSPs checked: You feel like you’re playing a character or hiding your authentic self in social situations.
46% of HSPs checked: It’s upsetting when your things are touched, moved, or rearranged without advance notice or your permission.
46% of HSPs checked: You struggle with executive functioning (e.g., time management, organization, working memory, task initiation).
44% of HSPs checked: Puzzles (i.e., Rubik’s cube, sudoku) are fun and possibly even soothing to you.
41% of HSPs checked: You sometimes feel the need to keep your body in motion. For some, this looks like fidgeting. For others, it looks like pacing back and forth or dancing.
40% of HSPs checked: When you spend a lot of time with certain people, you find yourself mimicking their mannerisms (e.g., phrases they use, how they dress, how they behave).
40% of HSPs checked: Sometimes you feel like you can’t handle your emotions. Intense emotions seem to come and go without any discernible reason.
38.5% of HSPs checked: Others often misinterpret your behavior. People mistakenly think you’re being rude or behaving as if you don’t like them.
31% of HSPs checked: Some of your friends have ended their friendships with you, and you don’t understand why.
37% of HSPs checked: You’re a picky eater. Certain textures or smells of food can make you feel nauseous.
35% of HSPs checked: Doing the same thing repetitively is enjoyable. For example, listening to a favorite song for hours is pleasant and possibly even calming.
35% of HSPs checked: When something unexpected happens, you might have an emotional meltdown or anxiety attack.
31% of HSPs checked: When you’re excited, it feels good to move your body in a certain way.
Here are the full categories from the checklist, separated by Social, Sensory, Cognitive, Emotional
Social Signs Of Autism In Adults
98% of HSPs checked: You value honesty, transparency, and truth in your relationships.
96% of HSPs checked: You prefer to have a select few friends who you are deeply close to versus having numerous, more superficial friendships.
88.5% of HSPs checked: You are extremely loyal to your loved ones.
77% of HSPs checked: You’ve consistently felt different from your peers.
71% of HSPs checked: Small talk feels pointless. If you engage in it, it feels cumbersome.
71% of HSPs checked: You love talking about your passions. Spending hours discussing your hobbies or interests is easy and doesn’t feel boring.
69% of HSPs checked: You often feel misunderstood by others.
56% of HSPs checked: You find it difficult to relate to the general public. Oftentimes, you don’t understand why they like the things they like or do what they do.
54% of HSPs checked: Even in situations where people have included you in social outings, you feel out of place or very uncomfortable.
46% of HSPs checked: You feel like you’re playing a character or hiding your authentic self in social situations.
40% of HSPs checked: When you spend a lot of time with certain people, you find yourself mimicking their mannerisms (e.g., phrases they use, how they dress, how they behave).
38.5% of HSPs checked: Others often misinterpret your behavior. People mistakenly think you’re being rude or behaving as if you don’t like them.
31% of HSPs checked: Some of your friends have ended their friendships with you, and you don’t understand why.
21% of HSPs checked: To prepare for a social outing, you think of jokes or phrases ahead of time to use in conversation.
11.5% of HSPs checked: You have trouble reading people’s non-verbal cues.
Sensory Signs Of Autism In Adults
80% of HSPs checked: It feels impossible to ignore assaults on your senses. For example, a scratchy sweater can completely distract you from the work you need to complete.
59% of HSPs checked: You really enjoy certain sensory input, and engaging with that input can help you regulate your emotions. For example, rocking back and forth or rubbing your face with a soft fabric can calm your anxiety.
53% of HSPs checked: Your relationship with sensory input is at the extremes—you are either very sensitive to certain sensory input or you need a lot of input for it to register. For example, you may be sensitive to certain noises or smells but prefer deep hugs to light touch.
41% of HSPs checked: You sometimes feel the need to keep your body in motion. For some, this looks like fidgeting. For others, it looks like pacing back and forth or dancing.
37% of HSPs checked: You’re a picky eater. Certain textures or smells of food can make you feel nauseous.
35% of HSPs checked: Doing the same thing repetitively is enjoyable. For example, listening to a favorite song for hours is pleasant and possibly even calming.
31% of HSPs checked: When you’re excited, it feels good to move your body in a certain way.
20% of HSPs checked: Eye contact is extremely uncomfortable.
Cognitive Signs Of Autism In Adults
94% of HSPs checked: When you work on something you enjoy, you easily become absorbed in that activity.
90% of HSPs checked: You are good at noticing details.
77% of HSPs checked: You are very persistent and goal-oriented when it comes to things you care deeply about.
73% of HSPs checked: It feels safest and most comfortable when you know what to expect.
71% of HSPs checked: You care deeply and are extremely knowledgeable about a few specific areas of interest.
69% of HSPs checked: You function best with routine and consistency.
58% of HSPs checked: You are exceptionally passionate about your hobbies and interests. You know more about your interests than most of the people you know.
54% of HSPs checked: Sudden changes in plans really bother you and can easily ruin your mood.
46% of HSPs checked: You struggle with executive functioning (e.g., time management, organization, working memory, task initiation).
44% of HSPs checked: Puzzles (i.e., Rubik’s cube, sudoku) are fun and possibly even soothing to you.
27% of HSPs checked: It’s difficult to change your mind.
23% of HSPs checked: Thinking in absolutes (i.e., always, never, definitely) comes most naturally to you. Needing to consider the in-betweens or “grey areas” (i.e., sometimes, only in certain situations) feels more difficult.
Emotional Signs Of Autism In Adults
90% of HSPs checked: It’s easier to regulate your emotions when you feel like you have control over your environment.
86.5% of HSPs checked: When things feel out of control or chaotic, you feel especially anxious.
50% of HSPs checked: More often than not, you feel anxious.
46% of HSPs checked: It’s upsetting when your things are touched, moved, or rearranged without advance notice or your permission.
40% of HSPs checked: Sometimes you feel like you can’t handle your emotions. Intense emotions seem to come and go without any discernible reason.
35% of HSPs checked: When something unexpected happens, you might have an emotional meltdown or anxiety attack.
19% of HSPs checked: You struggle with extreme social anxiety.