A diagnosis from Dr. Doomscroll? It may be time for a second opinion.
Social media users are increasingly diagnosing themselves with autism after watching TikTok content about the neurodevelopmental condition, drawing mixed reactions from experts.
While the trend can raise awareness and build community around autism, there are concerns that much of the content is misleading or inaccurate.
And just because you have a few eccentricities in common with an influencer who has a bona fide diagnosis doesn’t mean you’re on the spectrum.
Autism affects how a person socializes, communicates, learns and behaves. Diagnoses have skyrocketed from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 31 by 2022. And adults 26 to 34 years old experienced a 450% increase in diagnoses between 2011 and 2022.
Scientists have attributed the spike to expanded diagnostic criteria, improved screening tools and greater awareness, perhaps in part from social media. #Actuallyautistic, for one, has generated more than 900,000 TikTok posts.
But viral videos can’t actually determine if you’re autistic — even if the behaviors, feelings or fixations in them feel familiar.
“While social media can be a strong tool for increasing awareness and connection, it is not a diagnostic tool,” Dr. Emily Newton, a licensed clinical psychologist and vice president of diagnostic services at Axis for Autism, told The Post.
“We need to be mindful of the complexity involved in understanding an individual’s traits and behaviors, including the importance of clinical context,” she added.
Here’s a look at the divisive phenomenon, including the traits that are often confused for autism.
When did the trend gain steam?
Social isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic steadily drove teens online, where they searched for identity among their peers. This led to an increase in self-diagnoses of ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder, dissociative identity disorder, Tourette syndrome and autism.
And it’s not just young people who had a lightbulb moment — it’s adults, too.
“I remember early in my career, adolescents and adults would often ask for examples of celebrities or public figures with autism,” Newton said.
“While I appreciated having someone like Dan Aykroyd to reference, that example only resonated with a specific group,” she continued. “I’m rarely asked that question now, because social media has expanded visibility and allowed people to see themselves reflected in a much broader and more inclusive way.”
Can social media be helpful for getting diagnosed?
Social apps provide awareness, potentially encouraging someone to “take a meaningful step toward better understanding themselves,” Newton said.
She pointed out that many people highlighting their neurodivergent experiences online can show others that autism is not limited to one archetype — it can affect any gender, sexual orientation or race and is found in people with lots of different jobs.
“This broader representation of the autism community allows individuals to see themselves reflected in ways they may not have before,” Newton explained.
Which traits are most commonly confused across autism, ADHD and anxiety?
Autism is known as a spectrum disorder because it encompasses a wide range of symptoms that vary in severity.
It frequently overlaps with ADHD and anxiety. In fact, over half of people with autism also have ADHD, a phenomenon known as AuDHD.
“Many traits, such as difficulty with attention, social interactions, friendships and sensory sensitivities, can be seen across all three,” Newton said. “This is why it is important to work with a clinician experienced in evaluating all three in adulthood.”
Which ‘quirks’ are often incorrectly attributed to autism?
It’s important to remember that autism presents differently in everyone.
Newton emphasized that many people have sensory sensitivities or engage in fidget-like or repetitive movements but don’t have autism.
“For example, so many people strongly dislike microfiber or repetitively shake their legs when they are nervous or happy — these alone do not mean a person has autism,” she added.
“We cannot diagnose autism based on a single sensory preference or repetitive behavior; these traits must be understood within the broader clinical context.”
How should an adult be evaluated for autism?
Newton describes diagnosing autism as “looking at a constellation.” You can’t just look at a single star that holds a single piece of information.
“This is where clinical context becomes so important: understanding a person’s developmental history, current behavior and incorporating input from those who know them well,” she added.
“Seeing how all the information comes together through clinical context allows for more accurate diagnoses and helps to differentiate autism from other conditions that may share similar traits.”
She said an adult evaluation should include:
- A comprehensive clinical interview and/or a direct assessment of your experiences in adulthood and childhood
- Completion of autism-specific measures and rating forms by you and those who know you well, especially if recalling childhood experiences is difficult
- Review of important records, such as previous diagnostic evaluations or childhood records
When should someone seek professional help?
“If you find yourself questioning if you may have autism, a meaningful place to start is to talk with your primary care physician or, if you are already connected, to a mental health professional or psychiatrist,” Newton said.
She noted that there are also credible online screening tools, including the RAADS-R and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ).
These self-assessments can’t diagnose you, but can help you decide if you should pursue an evaluation.
“There are many great clinicians, both nationally and locally, who want to support adults looking to go through an autism evaluation,” Newton said. “It is never too late to learn more about yourself!”
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