Is It Autism or Social Anxiety? Quiz

Is It Autism or Social Anxiety?

Understanding Your Experiences Through Self-Reflection

⚠️ Important Disclaimer: This quiz is designed for educational and self-reflection purposes only. It is NOT a diagnostic tool and cannot replace a professional evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider. Both autism spectrum disorder and social anxiety disorder are complex conditions that require comprehensive assessment by licensed professionals. If you're concerned about your mental health or neurodevelopmental differences, please consult with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other qualified healthcare professional.

Quiz Progress 0 of 20 questions answered

1

When you feel uncomfortable in social situations, what is your primary concern?

I worry intensely about being judged, embarrassed, or rejected by others I feel anxious about social expectations but also find the sensory environment overwhelming I'm uncertain about the social rules and struggle to understand what's expected of me I find social interactions confusing and exhausting regardless of judgment concerns

2

How do you experience eye contact during conversations?

I avoid eye contact because I fear others will see my anxiety or judge me negatively Eye contact makes me uncomfortable for multiple reasons including both judgment and overstimulation I'm not sure why, but maintaining eye contact feels unnatural and I forget to do it Eye contact feels physically uncomfortable or too intense, making it hard to focus on the conversation

3

How do you feel about changes to your routine or unexpected events?

Changes are deeply distressing and I need significant time to adjust, regardless of social implications I strongly prefer routine and predictability, especially in areas of special interest to me Changes cause anxiety mainly when they involve unfamiliar social situations I'm generally flexible with changes unless they require social performance I'm not prepared for

4

How would you describe your interests and hobbies?

I have very intense, focused interests that I can discuss for hours in great detail I tend to deeply research specific topics and sometimes others find my interests unusual or narrow I have interests similar to others but feel anxious discussing them in social settings I have varied interests but avoid sharing them due to fear of judgment or criticism

5

What happens when you're in a crowded or noisy environment?

I feel anxious primarily about being watched, having to interact, or making mistakes in front of others I experience both social anxiety and sensory discomfort from lights, sounds, or textures The sensory input is overwhelming - sounds blend together, lights seem too bright, and I need to escape I become physically overwhelmed by sensory stimuli and may need hours to recover afterward

6

How do you understand humor, sarcasm, and figurative language?

I understand these well but worry about whether my responses are appropriate or funny enough I sometimes miss social cues about humor but I'm more worried about how others perceive me I often take things literally and realize later that someone was joking or being sarcastic I frequently misunderstand figurative language and prefer direct, literal communication

7

When a social interaction doesn't go well, what is your typical interpretation?

I immediately assume I did something wrong and worry excessively about what others think of me I feel anxious and confused - I'm not always sure what went wrong but fear it was my fault I'm genuinely confused about what happened and why the person responded that way I often don't realize the interaction went poorly until much later or someone tells me

8

How do you feel about small talk and casual conversation?

It makes me anxious because I worry about saying the wrong thing or being judged as boring I find it stressful because I'm both anxious and unsure of the unwritten rules I don't understand the purpose of small talk - I'd rather discuss meaningful topics in depth Small talk feels pointless and exhausting - I struggle to engage with surface-level topics

9

How do you experience and express emotions?

I often struggle to identify what I'm feeling or my expressions don't match my emotions I feel emotions intensely but have difficulty expressing them in ways others understand I'm aware of my emotions but suppress them in social situations due to anxiety I understand my emotions but fear showing them will lead to judgment or rejection

10

What is your experience with reading social cues and body language?

I can read social cues but overthink them and worry I'm misinterpreting everything I notice some cues but anxiety makes it hard to process them accurately in the moment I miss many social cues and often need explicit verbal communication to understand intentions Body language and subtle social signals are largely mysterious to me, even when I'm not anxious

11

How do you respond to repetitive behaviors or movements (stimming)?

I engage in repetitive movements regularly for comfort, focus, or regulation (rocking, hand-flapping, spinning) I have specific repetitive behaviors that help me feel calm or centered throughout the day I might fidget or have nervous habits mainly when I'm anxious in social situations I don't have repetitive behaviors beyond occasional fidgeting when nervous

12

How do you feel after spending time with people, even people you like?

I feel relieved when social events end, mainly because the pressure to perform is gone I'm exhausted from both anxiety and the effort of social interaction itself I feel drained and need significant alone time to recharge, regardless of how it went Social interactions are profoundly exhausting and I may need a full day or more to recover

13

How do you experience textures, tastes, or certain fabrics?

I have very strong sensory preferences and certain textures/fabrics are genuinely intolerable I'm quite particular about sensory experiences and avoid things that feel "wrong" to me I have some preferences but they're manageable and don't significantly impact my life I don't have particularly strong sensory sensitivities beyond typical preferences

14

When you avoid social situations, what is your primary reason?

I'm afraid of being negatively evaluated, embarrassed, or humiliated I worry about judgment but also find the situations genuinely confusing or overwhelming The social demands are exhausting and I don't always understand the unspoken expectations Social situations are inherently draining and confusing, separate from judgment concerns

15

How do you approach conversations - what feels most natural?

I prefer talking in depth about specific topics and may not notice when others want to change subjects I tend to focus on topics I find interesting and struggle with back-and-forth casual chat I know how conversations should flow but anxiety prevents me from participating naturally I understand conversational norms but fear saying the wrong thing holds me back

16

How do you feel when plans are cancelled at the last minute?

I usually feel relieved because I don't have to face the social anxiety anymore It depends - sometimes relieved, sometimes frustrated by the change of plans I find last-minute changes very frustrating because I had mentally prepared for the original plan Unexpected changes are quite distressing - I had organized my entire day around the plan

17

How do you experience empathy and understanding others' emotions?

I easily pick up on others' emotions and often worry intensely about how they feel about me I sense emotions but sometimes misread them or feel overwhelmed by them I care about others but need them to explicitly tell me how they feel I struggle to intuitively understand what others are feeling without clear verbal communication

18

What is your relationship with rules, patterns, and systems?

I find great comfort in patterns, systems, and order; I create detailed systems for many areas of life I prefer clear rules and structure, and feel unsettled when things are ambiguous I appreciate rules in social contexts because they reduce anxiety about what's expected I'm comfortable with flexibility and ambiguity when I'm not worried about social judgment

19

How do you experience physical symptoms during or before social situations?

I have intense physical anxiety symptoms: rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, nausea before social events I experience both anxiety symptoms and sensory overwhelm during social situations I feel physical exhaustion and mental fatigue more than traditional anxiety symptoms I may experience meltdowns or shutdowns when overwhelmed, which are different from panic attacks

20

What would help you feel most comfortable in social situations?

Reassurance that I won't be judged and support in managing my performance anxiety Both emotional support for anxiety and understanding of my sensory/social processing needs Clear expectations about social rules and reduced sensory demands in the environment Explicit communication, minimal sensory input, and acceptance that socializing may always be tiring for me

See Your Results

Your Quiz Results

Understanding Different Types of Counseling Support

Autism-Focused Counseling

• Neurodiversity-affirming approach that validates your experiences
• Focus on sensory regulation and environmental accommodations
• Development of personalized coping strategies for social situations
• Support in understanding and communicating your needs
• Help navigating a neurotypical world while honoring your neurology
• Assistance with executive functioning and daily life organization

Social Anxiety Counseling

• Evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Gradual exposure therapy to build confidence in social situations
• Challenging and reframing negative thought patterns
• Learning relaxation techniques and anxiety management skills
• Building social skills while reducing performance pressure
• Addressing underlying fears of judgment and rejection

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