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WAIT… AM I AUTISTIC?

Have you ever felt “different” but couldn’t explain why?


Maybe you’ve always struggled with social rules that seem natural to everyone else. Maybe you have strong sensory reactions that people tell you are “overreacting.” Maybe you’ve spent your whole life masking and code-switching, exhausted by the pressure to fit into spaces that don’t feel built for you.

If you’ve ever wondered,

“Am I autistic?”

…this guide is for you.

Black autistic people are often underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or dismissed entirely due to racism in healthcare, cultural expectations, and the lack of Black voices in autism research. Many of us don’t get diagnosed until adulthood, or at all. But here’s the truth:

Self-diagnosis is valid.

If you relate to autistic traits and experiences, you don’t need a doctor’s approval for your identity to be real. Formal diagnosis can be helpful for some, but for many Black adults, self-discovery is just as powerful.

This page is here to help you explore autism in a way that makes sense for you.

Understanding Autism: The Basics

Autism is a neurological difference, not a disorder. It affects how people experience the world, process information, and navigate social interactions. Autism is not caused by trauma, bad parenting, or vaccines. It is not a “white” condition. Black autistic people have always existed, we just haven’t always been recognized.

While every autistic person is different, here are some common traits that many of us share:

🤔 Social & Communication Differences

  • You’ve been called “too quiet,” “too blunt,” or “socially awkward” your whole life.
  • Small talk feels confusing or pointless, and you struggle with knowing when to speak in conversations.
  • You’ve had friendships or relationships fall apart because of miscommunication, even when you meant well.
  • You often replay conversations in your head, worrying about what you said or how you came across.

🤔 Masking, Code-Switching & Exhaustion

  • You feel like you are constantly performing to fit into different spaces, switching between work mode, family mode, and social mode.
  • When you were a kid, you were told to “stop acting weird” or “fix your face” because your natural reactions didn’t match what people expected.
  • You mimic the way other people talk, laugh, or behave so you won’t stand out.
  • You feel physically and mentally drained after social interactions, even when they go well.

🤔 Sensory Sensitivities

  • Certain sounds, textures, or smells feel overwhelming or physically painful.
  • You might hate certain fabrics, foods, or lighting but were told to “stop being picky” as a child.
  • Loud environments, like church, family gatherings, or clubs, can feel chaotic and exhausting.
  • You might have strong sensory-seeking behaviors, like listening to the same song on repeat or loving deep pressure (hugs, weighted blankets, tight clothes).

🤔 Emotional Processing & Rejection Sensitivity

  • You either feel emotions too much or too little… people say you are “too sensitive” or “too cold.”
  • You struggle with identifying your own emotions until they build up and explode.
  • Rejection feels physically painful… even minor criticism makes you shut down or spiral.
  • You often feel overwhelmed, anxious, or burnt out, even when nothing is “wrong.”

🤔 Routines, Hyperfocus & Executive Function Struggles

  • You love structure, predictability, and routines, and unexpected changes throw you off completely.
  • You have intense, deep interests that you hyperfocus on for hours but struggle to focus on everyday tasks.
  • You struggle with starting tasks, finishing projects, or remembering basic things like eating or responding to texts.
  • You often get labeled as lazy, forgetful, or irresponsible, even though you are trying your best.

🤔 Misdiagnosis & Late Recognition

  • You were misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder… or were told nothing was wrong at all.
  • People assume you “can’t be autistic” because you are Black, a woman, emotionally expressive, or successful at work.
  • You didn’t realize you were autistic until you saw other late-diagnosed Black autistic people sharing their experiences.

What Now? Exploring Your Autism Identity

If you read through this and thought, “Wow, this is me”… you are not alone.

Here are some next steps you can take:

❤ Do More Self-Exploration

❤ Decide If Formal Diagnosis is Right for You

  • Diagnosis can be helpful for accessing accommodations, workplace protections, or personal clarity.
  • However, it can also be expensive, inaccessible, and full of medical racism.
  • Self-diagnosis is 100% valid. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

❤ Find Community

  • Join online spaces for Black autistic adults where you can learn, connect, and feel seen.
  • Talk to other late-diagnosed people and hear their stories.

❤ Give Yourself Grace

  • If you’ve spent your whole life masking, it will take time to unlearn and accept yourself.
  • You do not have to prove your autism to anyone.
  • Your experience is real, valid, and worthy of respect.

Resources for Black Autistic Adults

✔ Books & Articles

✔ Online Communities & Support

✔ Self-Advocacy Resources

For more resources and support, be sure to check out our Resources page.

If you are realizing you might be autistic, you don’t need permission to explore that identity. Whether you seek a formal diagnosis or not, your experiences are valid, and you are not alone.

You are allowed to take up space, to exist as you are, and to find community with people who truly see you.

As always… take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and know that you are not alone in this journey❤