Can people with autistic family members tell?

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Can people who have autistic kids or siblings tell you're on the spectrum?

One of my professors saw it in me before I knew...and he told me he could tell because he has family members on the spectrum.

They can with me. But mine is pretty pronounced.

Yes - I think people who are familiar already with autism can spot us pretty quickly.

Yep....because they have experience in autism.

Not by nature.

No one really figured it out until I was in my mid 30's. In school I'd always been regarded as odd or eccentric because of my poor coordination, bad clothing, and abysmal social skills, but that didn't get much attention because I had no problem with academic achievement.

When I was in counseling for my third episode of major depression about 11 years ago, my psychologist spotted it right away, and when she learned about my unusual language development and early reading ability it was obvious to her that I am on the spectrum. Hyperlexia almost always goes hand in hand with ASDs.

I think it's obvious to those who know what to look for, but not for most people, because I have learned to adapt and put on a good show over time.

I had a friend once whose brother was on the spectrum ...and she picked up on it right away.

But other times people have been like, "oh, really, you have autism? My (xxx) has autism, and he acts nothing like you! "


...
So I guess it really depends on the person.

When I told my mom, about six months ago, she said she had figured it out a few years ago. Then tonight, she said it was just a kind of personality and not a big deal.

She doesn't know I was suicidal for years because I felt so different and rejected. "Personality." Hmpf.

Parents suck. She spent my childhood complaining I didn't interact properly with other people, and now I'm an adult who has focused on learning these interactions, she has forgotten all that.

usually, yes.
they know what to look for and are quicker to realise the cause behind your quirks

The only time I was ever "outed" (not officially dx'ed, BTW) was by a teen girl working at the local video store -- it turned out that she had a friend in high school who had Asperger's.

Those with HFA family members can spot me. Those with only LFA family members tend not to believe me when I tell them.