So there’s a reason so many of us hear, “you don’t look autistic,” when we tell people that we are.

And it’s actually really nicely explained in the DSM, which is the manual used by diagnosticians when diagnosing autism.

And I’m going to show you what it says in the DSM that explains this.

I’ll put the section where I found this on the screen, but let me read this to you.

[Source: DSM 5-TR ASD / Diagnostic Features section; Page 61]

Core diagnostic features are evident in the developmental period, but intervention, compensation, and current supports may mask difficulties in at least some contexts.

Manifestations of the disorder also vary greatly depending on the severity of the autistic condition, developmental level, chronological age, and possibly gender.

Hence the term spectrum.

Individuals without cognitive or language impairment may have more subtle manifestations of deficits than individuals with accompanying intellectual or language impairments and may be making great efforts to mask these deficits.

Criteria A deficits in social communication will be more subtle if an individual has better overall communication skills.

So this explains it. This explains why so many of us hear, “you don’t look autistic.”

The more you know.