Shy or autistic?

I thought it might be a good idea, for people who are looking for some advice, to explore the difference between being shy and being autistic.

There may be some individuals who suspect that they might be somewhere on the spectrum because they have difficulties with socialising and are not clear about the real differences between simply being timid and having autistic traits.

What are the key differences between someone who feels shy around groups of people and autistic people who have communication issues? How can you tell the difference?

Parents
  • Hi, I'm 16 and I've started to think I've got autism because a girl in my year at school asked me if I have it. She said she asked because I smile a lot, all the time. So recently I've been evaluating my actions and I'm shy in lessons, I can only talk to people/situations I feel comfortable in and if I don't feel comfortable with a teacher I didn't talk to them at all for 4 years of having them this led me to think I have Selective mutism and I don't talk to my some of my relatives even though I think they are nice. I feel depressed at times, and anxious when I'm in lessons and i just want to get out of some of them when i don't feel comfortable with the teacher. My English Language grade is an E which is two grades below my potential target which is a C. However in English literature i got a grade C. In my school the religious studies class is determined by the which English set you are in. However in religious studies i got a B i think its because i like it. i feel lazy at times and demotivated. if i speak to a gp what will they do, will they be able to determine if i have autism?, does it seem like i have it? help.

Reply
  • Hi, I'm 16 and I've started to think I've got autism because a girl in my year at school asked me if I have it. She said she asked because I smile a lot, all the time. So recently I've been evaluating my actions and I'm shy in lessons, I can only talk to people/situations I feel comfortable in and if I don't feel comfortable with a teacher I didn't talk to them at all for 4 years of having them this led me to think I have Selective mutism and I don't talk to my some of my relatives even though I think they are nice. I feel depressed at times, and anxious when I'm in lessons and i just want to get out of some of them when i don't feel comfortable with the teacher. My English Language grade is an E which is two grades below my potential target which is a C. However in English literature i got a grade C. In my school the religious studies class is determined by the which English set you are in. However in religious studies i got a B i think its because i like it. i feel lazy at times and demotivated. if i speak to a gp what will they do, will they be able to determine if i have autism?, does it seem like i have it? help.

Children
  • (A revival of a Two year old Thread. Hmmm...) 

    I can relate to this. I was always called "shy" at school, but I knew it was worse than that, and the teachers knew, but Aspergers (Autism Level 1?) did not exist back then... in the Eighties, y'know, when Video Games were just starting and There were no Portable Phones and this was all fields (!)...

    ...Enough reminiscing (and joking!). Try to get a diagnosis. Keep pushing for it. Compile a list of Autistic traits and note which ones really apply to you, or you notice most in everyday things. 

    ...As I am typing this there is another new reply! I guess I am quitting, then... Oh, bother... Do Get a diagnosis, though.