Expert: Trey McGowan - 11/27/2009

Question
Hi, I have few questions regarding autism, which I suspect I am having, I am 21 this year.
1) What is the difference between being an introvert and being austistic? I like to be alone most of the times because I feel others do not share my ideas and i find it unnecessary to relate to most other people. I prefer to do solitary activities like reading and watching tv and stayed home most of the time.

2)I don't seem to have a problem expressing in my mother tongue, however speaking in English is a big problem for me. I do not know if this could be linked to autism.

3) I am super-sensitive to noise and it is getting more serious as I grow older. I need absolute silence when I sleep and I put earplug when I do my homework or sleep.

4)In lecture rooms, I always sit at particular seats if not I will feel uneasy. Also I do not wear too sexy or colourful clothes, because doing so distracts me. I will be very preoccupied by it.

5)I do not want to get married or have kids because I am easily preoccupied with things and sensitive to noise. I am also easily preoccupied with sex. I think it's dirty. And I disapproves of the affection youngsters show each other. I think it is disgusting and I think everyone should be like me, free of any romantic encounters and be child-like.

May I know if all these above symptoms are enough to qualify me as an autistic person. Thank you very much.

Answer
Hi there, Jeslin!

First thing's first: there are two main questions here. The second one, 'Are these enough to qualify me', suggests that you may want to speak with an actual expert, as opposed to just an AllExpert. This is not something I can answer, nor would I even if I could, without direct observation, conversation, and the like. Autism is more than a handful of 'quirks', but rather a group of symptoms which come together in this developmental disorder. I cannot say one way or the other, so instead will simply suggest 'Speak with more of an expert'.

However, your first question, I can answer quite easily: being an introvert is simply a personality type (if one can ever use the word 'simply' with that). Autism, on the other hand, is a developmental disorder, characterized by sensual overstimulation and social difficulties which can be anywhere from moderate to extreme. People can certainly have aspects of being autistic without actually having full-blown autism, and even 'autism' itself is more a spectrum of similar afflictions than it is one single disease, thus why the term 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' has come to be.

Hopefully I was able to answer the first question in enough detail, and hopefully you can find some help with getting answered on the second one, if indeed you are worried about autism itself! Further questions, comments, feedback, follow-ups, are welcome!

Trey