How do we know where ASD ends and comorbids begin?

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I’ve not been diagnosed with it, and I had a thorough neuropsychological evaluation.

My symptoms (obsessive interests and stimming) are due to autism.

^ You seem cross, or are my empath skills out of whack (i.e you are not cross)

Why would I be cross?

I dunno, I could sense a vibe in your writing so was just checking, I'll turn my sensitivity dial down a few notches.

Knit one, Purl two Ferr.

I have the first section of OCD stuff but it’s all in relation to trauma so I’d consider it PTSD rather than OCD. It seems PTSD isn’t one of the outcomes for anyone.

I’m a good teacher.
My dad taught me.
I actually prefer Purls.

I think the various co-morbids are definitely their own standalone diagnoses. However I recall reading that there is no evidence on a biological level that these things are separate entities when existing within the same person.

OCD is definitely a distinct diagnosis from ASD, you can have OCD and not have ASD. But ASD can be mistaken for OCD, too, with ritualistic behaviors and needing things to be done in particular ways. I am wondering if some of my OCD behaviors as a child were actually more related to ASD - such as having trouble getting rid of gross or disturbing thoughts. I have heard other people on the spectrum talk about similar experiences.

As a child, I don't have a lot of notable comorbidities.


There was no specific diagnosis of emotional dysregulation for children.
My own type of emotional dysregulation is overly expressive and intense -- violent even -- than seemingly flat line.
Passes off as immaturity. Passes off as low EQ. Passes off as my social age.

Whatever my language processing issue was, it's currently undetected and is only visible as an IQ score.

My sensory issues are more tied to my mental health than my actual sensory processing, and it's not the other way around.

I fail at routines. Despite the willfulness, despite the planning and intent.
Most of my failures came from emotional dysregulation, and that fed a loop of disappointments.

Maladaptive daydreams as a child definitely.
It came from mostly at the fact that I might've been deprived and unsatisfied in life.
Not enough to pass as ADD, but it definably stole some of my processing power.

My 'paranoia' is basically nosy parenting and lack of privacy at home.
Also why I was able to compartmentalize so well... To a point that my special interests are hidden, my fantasies are hidden, and the only thing that's visible is likes and dislikes.
Not enough to pass for social flat affect.

How much of my asociality is autism?
How much of my asociality is subconscious pride and social scheming? (Yup)
How much of my asociality is years of disappointment and hurt?
How much of my asociality is plain preferences uninfluenced?
I know which is which. Not enough to pass as a form of personality issue nor any attachment disorders as a child -- because I definitely do not have that.

Any of my clumsiness came mostly from inattention.
Clumsiness is not inherent to me.
Inattention itself is also not inherent -- limited processing is, however.

I literally cannot afford OCD. High standards or not, I cannot afford perfectionism. I cannot afford symmetry. I cannot afford strict routines even.
Most of my 'perfectionism' is emotional dysregulation and EF issues than mindset or conscious preference.
Unless it was because I compartmentalize so well... Except my looping thoughts feels more neutral than anxiety driven. Purely autism, not OCD.

Whatever anxiety disorders I had, it "didn't lasts".
My longest was, well, 10 years at most.
No therapy, no meds. No hospitalizations, no counselling.
My paranoias do not last. My rejection sensitivities do not last. My sense of embarrassment and awkwardness do not last.
My fears and worries do not last regardless of the reality. Also, no phobias.

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OCD doesn't necessarily mean repetitive behaviours. It can mean obsessing over thoughts and not being able to rest until you have won an argument. For me this only seems to happen online. But it's like impulsivity mixed with frustration, insecurity and OCD.