Look for long-term differences in social communication, such as difficulty with back-and-forth conversation, reading facial expressions, or understanding social cues
Notice whether you strongly prefer routines, sameness, or predictability and feel very distressed by changes
Check if you have intense interests that feel unusually focused, detailed, or all-consuming
Pay attention to sensory sensitivities, such as strong reactions to sounds, lights, textures, smells, or touch
Consider whether you use repeated movements, fidgeting, rocking, pacing, or other self-soothing behaviors
Think about whether social situations feel confusing, exhausting, or require a lot of conscious effort
Reflect on whether these traits have been present since childhood, even if they were hidden or masked
Review whether these traits affect school, work, relationships, daily tasks, or mental health
Take a reputable autism screening questionnaire as a rough starting point, not a diagnosis
Ask a parent, caregiver, or someone who knew you as a child about early behaviors and patterns
Speak with a psychologist, psychiatrist, developmental specialist, or primary care doctor for an autism evaluation
Seek an evaluation if you suspect autism even if you also have anxiety, ADHD, depression, or other conditions
Remember that only a qualified professional can diagnose autism
Get urgent support if you are struggling with self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or severe distress