Can we imagine a life with a feeling of being misjudged, misunderstood, or in simple words – “not fitting in?”
Yes, this is the reality for many individuals who are misdiagnosed with (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder or sometimes autism goes overdiagnosed under other medical conditions.
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that directly affects communication, socialization, and the response of an individual for the world around them.
So, this is important to understand which disorders are mistaken for autism and why is crucial for clinicians seeking clarity.
Here are some traits that are associated with other medical conditions, like – anxiety, ADHD(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Anxiety Disorder
How is it similar to Autism?
Why is it misdiagnosed as Autism?
Let’s take an example, an individual with high functioning autism may avoid social interaction not because of fear of misjudgment (similar to anxiety), but because of difficulty in understanding. Clinicians misstate this behaviour as disorder of anxiety without examining developmental history.
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
How is it similar to Autism?
Why is it misdiagnosed as Autism?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common conditions mistaken for autism. During the process of diagnosis, clinicians may observe distractibility or hyperactivity, but fail to understand the nonverbal difficulties that point to autism. In the same way, individuals with autism who are highly verbal may be misdiagnosed as ADHD, especially if they have difficulty with executive functioning tasks.
PTSD (Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder)
How is it similar to Autism?
Why is it misdiagnosed as Autism?
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is associated with past trauma, while autism is something which is born with. But sometimes, the behaviours can be similar. Let’s take an example – an individual who went through early abuse might seem emotionally apart, or socially embarrassed. So, if professionals don’t ask about early development, these signs might be taken as autism.
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Why is it similar to Autism?
Why does misdiagnosis happen in this case?
Clinicians are not familiar with the subtle differences between OCD and autism and may overdiagnosed repetitive behaviours as autism, specifically when anxiety is also there.
What is the main difference between Missed Diagnoses and Misdiagnoses in Autism?
During the process of diagnosis, the two main issues occur which are missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. May be they are sounding similar but they refer with two different scenarios:
1. Missed Diagnosis
This condition occurs when a person who is on the autism spectrum is not diagnosed. This means their autistic symptoms go unobserved, and they may not get the support they need.
Why does this occur?
Let’s discuss an example to make it easy to understand,
A lady who has always felt something different but managed to adapt, might never be recognized for autism, even though she suffers some internal struggles related to Autism Spectrum Disorder.
2. Misdiagnosis
This condition happens when someone is diagnosed with a different condition, but the real diagnosis of autism is faced.
Commonly involves:
Let’s discuss an example to make it easy to understand,
An individual is showing repetitive routines and no social interaction might be diagnosed as OCD, but the root causes of autism are not recognized.
Understanding the importance of Accurate Diagnosis
Both the condition have significant effects, such as,
- Late support – Without correct diagnosis, individuals may not get therapies that could improve overall health and quality of life.
- Emotional confusion – Misunderstanding symptoms can lead to feelings of separation, isolation, or frustration.
- Improper treatment – Treating in the wrong way can cause ineffective and may worsen the condition.
So, it is essential to understand the importance of accurate diagnosis because it helps to avoid unnecessary or ineffective treatments and most importantly, it will validate an individual’s symptoms and enhance their overall quality of life.
Why are so many Autistic Girls Missed or Misdiagnosed?
Autism is often overdiagnosed or missed in girls, specifically due to differences in symptoms compared to boys. So here are some key differences for this discrepancy:-
Summing Up
As to why getting it right matters
Let’s continue to raise awareness, by asking questions and looking deeper into it because every individual’s life is unique, and no one should feel isolated.
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Reference
- Hutson P, Hutson J. Autism in Females: Understanding the Overlooked Diagnoses, Unique Challenges, and Recommendations Literature review *Corresponding Author. 2023 Jun 6;3(3):1–6.
- Hus Y, Segal O. Challenges Surrounding the Diagnosis of Autism in Children. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment [Internet]. 2021 Dec 3;17(17):3509–29
- How and Why is Autism Spectrum Disorder Misdiagnosed in Adult Patients? – From Diagnostic Problem to Management for Adjustment -. ResearchGate.
- Fusar-Poli L, Brondino N, Politi P, Aguglia E. Missed diagnoses and misdiagnoses of adults with autism spectrum disorder. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. 2020 Sep 6;272(2).
- 1.Waters R. Unraveling the Mystery of Misdiagnosed Autism [Internet]. Prosperhealth.io. Prosper Health; 2025.
- Why Many Autistic Girls Are Overlooked at the Child Mind Institute. Childmind
