You've likely already read the official diagnostic criteria, probably multiple times. It's cold medical jargon at best, a confusing collection of overly negative symptoms at worst. It also leaves out a lot of details, such as how it actually applies to real, live people.

Here, we’ve broken down the DSM’s diagnostic criteria and added in our interpretations gained through years of professional experience and autistic experiential expertise.

We’ve listed some helpful things to consider as well as some personal anecdotes from actual autistics that might help clarify how the diagnostic criteria actually apply to real people. We offer a way to personalize the medical jargon of the DSM's diagnostic criteria.

Compensation can make up for deficits, at great cost. Just because one can compensate for symptoms of autism, does not mean one does not experience them, and they should be considered during an evaluation. Women, in particular, have years of experience making up for their difficulties, and making sure no one sees them struggle.

Do you get comfort from stimming? (This may be more subtle. It may help to think of it more as fidgeting.)

Do you have a need for sameness, routine, and rituals?

Do you have issues with appropriate conversation? (Rather than lacking the ability to hold a conversation)

Do you have a hard time understanding the purpose of social communication?

Do you have difficulties with nonverbal communication?

Have you learned the skills of nonverbal communication, though they are not intuitive?

Are you really interested in specific, unusual things?

Frequently these support systems fall into place so naturally that the people involved may not see them as unusual.