It seems to be that AS = extreme introversion?

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I have been part of a fb online community for introverts for a while.
The members there often post memes or sometimes even questions and serious topics.

The striking thing I noticed that the struggles members joke or complain about are *EXACTLY* the same struggles usually WP members complain/vent about (socialization, work, dating, friends… etc). And when people talk about their introvert traits are almost very similar to common AS traits (including eye contact).
The only « common » trait that I don’t find there is the sensory stuff, but a lot of AS people don’t have this either.

The two communities are so similar that in most cases it is enough to replace the word « Introversion » with AS. Even tho it seems most members are not aware that AS exists, the word autism is never mentioned.

One striking difference between the two is the sex ratio of members, it is by far a more natural ratio there than in WP.

Not really.

Sure, autistics seem to relate to social circumstances of introverts, anyone with social anxiety issues and basically anyone with social issues in general.

But that's all there is to it -- social circumstances.

There exists autistics who are not introverts.
Even if said autistic is asocial, doesn't necessarily mean more introverted either -- like myself as an example.


Well, introversion itself doesn't explain repetitive behaviors, executive dysfunction, uneven cognitive profiles and learning disabilities, and as you mentioned, sensory issues...

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The outward behavioural displays and characteristics can be similar in many ways.

I just thought that I was introverted for the longest time, and this is one of the reasons that I was so late in life with my self-diagnosis, and soon to follow official diagnosis.

I can be shy but I'm not introverted, because of my natural desire to want to chat to people and fit in. I also get social anxiety, where I feel embarrassed easily and don't like being called out on things or make a fool of myself in front of people. The less I know people, the more anxiety I feel.

I feel I can relate to NTs with social anxiety more than I can other Aspies most of the time, because of the NT logic being easier to understand (for me).

The only difference is that shy/introverted NTs have the ability to make friends if they want to, while I can't make friends that well despite wanting to.

You can't replace introversion with AS/ASD. AS/ASD are NOT personality types. They are a difference in how your brain and entire neurological system are wired. And plenty of people with AS/ASD are extroverts.

In my prespective almost all introverts I know seem to meet the criteria for ASD to some degree. Or they have some other undiagnosed condition like male BPD. But yes there are people who are NT and introversts. Also a lot of females with ASD pass as introvert NTs.

No I don't think ASD is equal to extreme introversion. There's some overlap, but I for one would be very unhappy without people in my life, even though they give me problems. I had to spend 4 months not long ago with considerably less contact with contact with people than I usually have, and the sense of isolation was very unpleasant to me. I can be quite outgoing with the right kind of people in the right situations, and I was very social once, when I was among a whole bunch of friendly people I felt safe with.

From my personal experience the two don't overlap at all. I know a few extroverted aspies including myself. I don't really understand introverts too well to be honest. The lack of desire to share just astound me. I can't live without sharing with other people. If I like something I bought I immediately want to buy one for a friend or family. I can't remember anything good I have experienced or purchased that's been totally kept to myself.

Im with the OP. I tend to think of aspergers and introversion as the same thing (that some NTs are introverts, but that all aspies are introverts). And folks on this site wag their fingers at me and lecture me that theyre two different things.

Some WPers even complain that they "started out as extroverts" but made some many social blunders because of autism that they became introverts.

Here are a few links for anybody who wants to read about what some (possible) experts have said about the matter. I can only find one source supporting the notion that ASD=introversion:

https://scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-conten ... 005_MA.pdf

It has a style that's somewhat alien to my way of thinking, so I can't say I understand it very well, and it's a rather long read. I gather it hasn't been supported by other researchers, though it's been debated a lot (don't know where).

These are all by people who say that ASD and introversion are rather different things:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/are-auti ... ts-4691154

https://introvertedgrowth.com/introvert-vs-autism/

https://www.adultandgeriatricautism.com ... and-autism

Introversion is not a diagnostic criteria for Autism.

There is an overlap in that for introverts a lot of socialization wears them out and me time charges them.

While socialization wears them out if they are NT they unlike autistics instinctively know how to socialize.

We often present as introverts when we are not because after repeated failures we withdraw.

I met an extroverted aspie in the support group I was in whey back when. She constantly and very enthusiastically talked about her special interests, no filter. She was in an indie rock band.


The introversion=autism theory is all about socialization. The "restrictive repetitive behaviors" part is utterly ignored, AGAIN.