Social Anxiety Vs Autism: Understanding What’s Shared and What’s Unique

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Putting autism and social anxiety in comparison is nothing new. Many confuse high-masking autism for social anxiety and vice versa. It’s because these two share symptoms, though there are still differences. 

In this post, we’re comparing the two - social anxiety vs autism, and help you understand where they overlap and what their differences are. With the information you’ll get, you’ll be able to give your loved one the support they need.

Signs of Social Anxiety Vs Autism - Overlaps and Differences

Diagnosing autism vs social anxiety can be tricky because the two share symptoms; however, one must be distinguished from the other correctly to ensure that the right intervention and support are given. Unfortunately, countless adults suffering from social anxiety disorder are misdiagnosed when their symptoms are mistaken for those of social discomfort in individuals with ASD.

Both autism spectrum disorder and social anxiety involve social interaction difficulties, though the causes and how they are manifested are different.

Overlaps

For both social anxiety and autism, social interaction is a challenge, though they manifest differently. In both cases, though, initiating and keeping conversations can be extremely hard, and being around more than the number of people they’re used to can be overwhelming.

Individuals with autism and those with social anxiety both get misunderstood in social situations, especially if the people around them do not understand these conditions.

Other shared signs include their tendency to avoid eye contact and to socially withdraw. Also, in both conditions, unexpected changes, especially when it comes to social plans, are generally disliked.

Differences

There are some key gaps between social anxiety and autism. One is that for individuals with autism, social behavior differences are caused by how differently they process sensory information, as well as social communications and interactions, compared to neurotypical individuals. On the other hand, people with social anxiety act so because of their fear of being judged or evaluated negatively.

Another difference is that social anxiety comes and goes - it typically arises in social contexts (though they can understand social cues). Meanwhile, autism is a condition that never goes away, and it impacts not only the social aspect of one’s life. 

Individuals on the spectrum also often show repetitive behaviors and are quite rigid when it comes to their routines and schedules, and this is not typically shown in people with social anxiety.

As for physical manifestations, people with social anxiety often experience profuse sweating, blushing, and trembling as a result of their embarrassment or fear of being in social situations. In contrast, those with autism do show repetitive movements like hand-flapping, swaying or rocking back and forth, and repeating words and phrases, but they do this when they’re self-soothing. 

Diagnosing Autism vs Social Anxiety

It is crucial to get not only an accurate diagnosis of autism or social disorder, but a timely one, too. It’s because the earlier the condition is diagnosed, the sooner treatment or management can begin, and the more effective it will be. Additionally, a proper diagnosis will give clarity on the unique challenges that your loved one may be facing, and they can be addressed by the right form of intervention.

Social Anxiety diagnosis involves these:

• Clinical interviews to determine symptoms and their severity
• Standard questionnaires and ratings
• Ruling out other conditions that could mimic those of social anxiety
• Collaboration with other professionals to ensure accurate diagnosis
• Determining the right treatment plan

The process of diagnosing autism includes:

• Development screenings
• Comprehensive assessments
• Evaluation of interaction with peers and other people
• Assessment of social skills, interests, and repetitive behaviors

Social Anxiety vs Autism - How Are They Treated?

Let’s get this out of the way now - social anxiety is highly treatable, autism is not, but it can be properly managed with the right approach.  Both often require multiple methods. 

For social anxiety, common treatments include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  - CBT can help individuals identify negative thought patterns and behaviors that are associated with social anxiety.
•  Exposure Therapy - Individuals with social anxiety may benefit from gradual exposure to triggering situations, as it can help build their tolerance and even reduce fear.
• Medication - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI )or other medications may be prescribed in some cases.

For Autism, these interventions are recommended:

• ABA Therapy - One of the most effective approaches to managing attention is Applied Behavior Analysis, and it focuses on improving communication, behavior, and social skills, among others.
• Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy - These help individuals on the spectrum develop and improve their motor skills, communication, and life skills.

For people diagnosed with both social anxiety and autism, often, a combination of these treatment approaches is recommended.

Support a Loved One with Social Anxiety and Autism

As you can expect, having a child or family member with social anxiety and autism requires a lot of patience and understanding on your part. These two conditions can significantly affect how a person interacts with other people. You, as a trusted parent, brother, or sister, can help them manage their anxiety and improve their social skills. 

You can do this by ensuring they have a safe and somewhat predictable environment, teaching them simple coping mechanisms like deep breaths and silently counting to ten, and using positive reinforcement. 

You can also slowly expose them to social situations, but make sure that these are ones that can be considered manageable. You can increase the complexity of such interactions as your loved one gets more comfortable and builds confidence.

Final Thoughts: Autism and Social Anxiety Comparison Matters

While there are indeed similarities, the differences in the signs of social anxiety vs autism are significant enough to warrant different approaches in treatment or management. That means it’s crucial that we properly spot those gaps between social anxiety and autism’s social behavior differences. It’s also important that you work with professionals like the therapists from Aluma Care.

Our team at Aluma Care is here to provide your loved one with expert ABA therapy services in Kansas. Whether they’re dealing with social anxiety or diagnosed with autism, you can be sure that with our therapists, they’re getting the support they need to thrive. Reach out to us to know more about our services!

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