Autism and social anxiety can both make social situations challenging, but they are distinct in how they impact behavior and experience. Many autistic people also experience social anxiety, adding another layer of difficulty when navigating social interactions.¹

The Basics

Both autism and social anxiety affect the way teens interact with others and perceive social situations, but they come from different sources. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in communication, social interactions, and behavior. Social anxiety, on the other hand, is a mental health condition or symptom marked by intense fear or anxiety in social settings.

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety can be either a diagnosis or a symptom experienced by those with other conditions. As a diagnosis, social anxiety disorder is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might be judged, embarrassed, or rejected. This can make everyday activities, like speaking in class, attending social events, or even talking to peers, extremely stressful. For teens with social anxiety disorder, their thoughts often revolve around fears of doing something wrong or being humiliated in front of others. When social anxiety is a symptom, it may be part of a broader condition, such as autism, where social interactions are challenging due to both anxiety and difficulty understanding social cues.

While it might seem like your teen is just very shy, if they’re living with social anxiety, they’re truly challenged by interacting with others. They might avoid social situations—including those around close family or friends—freeze or stay silent, or even have panic attacks because of the intense fear and anxiety they experience.

Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects how individuals perceive the world and communicate with others. Autism is characterized by differences in social interactions, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Many autistic teens find social situations challenging because of difficulty understanding social cues, sensory sensitivities, or differences in communication styles.

Autistic people often have a strong need for routine and may become overwhelmed in unpredictable environments or when faced with changes to their plans—which can make social anxiety even more challenging.

The Overlap Between Social Anxiety and Autism

There can be significant overlap between social anxiety and autism, especially when it comes to navigating social situations. While autism and social anxiety disorder are different conditions, it’s not uncommon for an autistic teen to also experience social anxiety. Here are some common areas of overlap:

• Eye contact – Both autistic individuals and those with social anxiety may find eye contact uncomfortable. For someone with social anxiety, this discomfort often stems from the fear of being judged, while for an autistic person, it might be due to sensory discomfort or difficulty interpreting nonverbal cues.
• Parties and crowds – Social gatherings like parties can be overwhelming for both autistic teens and those with social anxiety. Autistic individuals might struggle with sensory overload due to noise and unpredictability, while those with social anxiety may fear negative evaluation by others.
• Strangers – Meeting new people can be challenging. For those with social anxiety, talking to strangers can provoke intense fear of embarrassment. For autistic individuals, interacting with strangers might be difficult because of a lack of understanding of social norms or how to initiate conversations.
• Changes to plans – Both autistic people and those with social anxiety can find sudden changes to plans distressing. For many autistic teens, routine provides a sense of security, and unexpected changes can lead to stress. For someone with social anxiety, changes can increase uncertainty, triggering feelings of loss of control or worry about the unknown.

The right treatment can make a world of difference for teens dealing with autism, social anxiety, or both. With proper therapy, teens can learn coping strategies that reduce their anxiety, improve social skills, and help them navigate challenging situations with greater ease.

Getting the Right Diagnosis

Accurately diagnosing autism or social anxiety can be challenging, especially since the symptoms can overlap. It’s important to have a thorough assessment by a mental health professional who understands the nuances of both conditions. With the right diagnosis, teens can receive targeted interventions that address their specific needs and help them thrive.

For autistic teens, treatment might focus on building communication skills, managing sensory sensitivities, and developing social understanding. For those with social anxiety, therapy can provide tools to challenge anxious thoughts and practice new behaviors in social settings, leading to increased confidence and emotional resilience.