This page offers opportunities to participate in research and explore survey findings related to high sensitivity, adult-discovered autism, and the Sensitive Autistic Neurotype.
Participate in Research
You are invited to participate in these anonymous surveys:
Health and Neurological Survey for Autistic Individuals (Anonymous)
General Autism Poll (Anonymous)
What Symptoms Overlap in High Sensitivity and Adult Autism? (Anonymous)
Sharing and Citation
If you would like to share or reference the research on this page, please link directly to this page so the information remains connected to the full context and updated findings.
Why This Research Matters
As more adults explore the connection between high sensitivity and autism, many are beginning to recognize that what was once understood only as high sensitivity, anxiety, overwhelm, or feeling different may also reflect an autistic neurotype.
This has been especially important for women and other high-masking adults, whose autistic traits were often overlooked, misunderstood, or misattributed. Many people learned to adapt so skillfully on the outside that their internal lived experience remained unseen.
Part of the purpose of this research is to help bring greater clarity to these patterns, while also increasing awareness of the Sensitive Autistic Neurotype and the many adults who may have gone unrecognized for years.
Research Findings: Health and Neurological Patterns in the Sensitive Autistic Neurotype
Julie Bjelland, LMFT, conducted this survey to better understand the health and neurological patterns of autistic individuals.
The Health and Neurological Survey for Autistic Individuals revealed significant self-reported health trends among respondents. The survey primarily included autistic individuals or those who suspect they may be autistic, with 92.6% of respondents identifying as women. These findings highlight the broad range of co-occurring health concerns that may affect autistic adults.
Most commonly reported health concerns
1. Gastrointestinal issues (95.3%)
Many respondents reported gastrointestinal concerns, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, frequent diarrhea, and gastroesophageal reflux.
2. Anxiety (88.6%)
Many reported excessive worry, nervous system intensity, panic attacks, and stress related to uncertainty and transitions.
3. Sleep difficulties (87.9%)
Common challenges included trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and irregular sleep-wake cycles.
4. Auditory processing difficulties (87.2%)
Many respondents described difficulty understanding spoken information, especially in noisy environments.
5. Autoimmune and immune-related conditions (87.2%)
Frequently reported concerns included allergies, asthma, eczema, food sensitivities, and suspected autoimmune issues.
6. Executive functioning difficulties (85.2%)
Many respondents described struggles with planning, organizing, time management, task initiation, and task completion.
7. Fatigue (79.9%)
Fatigue was commonly reported, including severe exhaustion, reduced capacity, and ongoing energy regulation difficulties.
8. Depression (71.1%)
Many respondents reported sadness, hopelessness, reduced motivation, and emotional strain.
9. Chronic pain (63.8%)
Common pain-related concerns included headaches, migraines, joint hypermobility, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
10. Medication sensitivity (47.7%)
Nearly half of respondents reported strong side effects, sensitivity to dosage changes, or difficulty tolerating medications.
11. Cardiovascular issues (45%)
Respondents reported concerns such as palpitations, blood pressure fluctuations, and circulatory difficulties.
12. Thyroid disorders (32.2%)
Over one-third reported thyroid-related concerns, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Survey limitations
This survey is self-reported. The findings reflect the experiences and awareness of respondents at the time they participated. Some people may have undiagnosed health conditions and not yet know about them. These results are best understood as reported patterns, not formal medical assessment data.
What these findings suggest
The survey findings point to a wide range of co-occurring health conditions among autistic adults. Gut health concerns, anxiety, sleep difficulties, auditory processing differences, immune-related conditions, executive functioning challenges, fatigue, depression, chronic pain, medication sensitivity, cardiovascular issues, and thyroid concerns were among the most commonly reported.
These findings reinforce the importance of taking a more holistic view of autistic health and of supporting autistic individuals in ways that are informed by their full lived experience.
The strong representation of late-identified autistic adults and those still exploring their neurotype also highlights the importance of accessible diagnostic pathways, affirming education, and supportive community.
Results: Signs That Overlap and Differ
I also gave a group of highly sensitive people a checklist of signs associated with autism in adults to better understand which traits appear to overlap, which differ more clearly, and which fall in the middle.
The results were grouped into three categories:
Overlapping signs where 70% or more of highly sensitive respondents said they also experience the sign
Signs that differ more clearly where 30% or less endorsed the sign
Middle-ground signs where 31% to 69% endorsed the sign
Overlapping signs reported by highly sensitive people that may also reflect an undiagnosed autistic neurotype
Many people who identify as highly sensitive also report signs commonly associated with autism. For some, this overlap may reflect an undiagnosed autistic neurotype, especially in those whose traits were missed because of masking, outdated stereotypes, or internalized presentations.
70% or more of highly sensitive respondents reported also experiencing these signs:
98% value honesty, transparency, and truth in relationships
96% prefer a few deeply close relationships over many superficial ones
94% easily become absorbed in activities they enjoy
90% regulate emotions more easily when they feel they have control over their environment
90% are good at noticing details
88.5% describe themselves as extremely loyal to loved ones
86.5% feel especially anxious when things feel chaotic or out of control
80% say sensory discomfort is difficult to ignore
77% say they have consistently felt different from peers
77% are persistent and goal-oriented in areas they care deeply about
73% feel safest and most comfortable when they know what to expect
71% care deeply and are highly knowledgeable about a few specific interests
71% find small talk cumbersome or pointless
71% can talk for hours about passions and interests without getting bored
These findings help show why some adults first identify as highly sensitive and only later begin to recognize that autism may more fully explain their lifelong experiences.
Signs that differed more clearly
The following signs were endorsed by 30% or less of highly sensitive respondents:
27% said it is difficult to change their mind
23% related to more black-and-white thinking
21% said they prepare jokes or phrases ahead of time for social outings
20% reported extreme discomfort with eye contact
19% reported extreme social anxiety
11.5% reported trouble reading nonverbal cues
These findings suggest that while there is meaningful overlap, high sensitivity and autism are not identical. At the same time, some highly sensitive people may still meet criteria for autism, particularly if their traits align with the Sensitive Autistic Neurotype.
Signs in the middle ground
Many signs fell into the middle range, showing meaningful overlap without being nearly universal among highly sensitive respondents. These included:
feeling misunderstood
functioning best with routine and consistency
using sensory input to regulate
being exceptionally passionate about hobbies and interests
feeling out of place in social settings
distress when plans suddenly change
sensory experiences at both high- and low-input extremes
anxiety
masking or feeling like you are playing a character socially
executive functioning struggles
repetitive movement or motion for regulation
being misunderstood by others
food texture and smell sensitivities
meltdowns or anxiety when something unexpected happens
This middle-ground category is especially important because it helps show where high sensitivity and autism may share meaningful territory, and where some people may benefit from exploring autism more deeply.
Important note
Because high sensitivity is self-reported, some individuals who identify as highly sensitive but not autistic may nonetheless meet criteria for autism. This may be especially true for those whose experiences align with the Sensitive Autistic Neurotype, which often goes unrecognized in traditional diagnostic models.
Now available
Discovering You’re Autistic as an Adult
An online self-paced course
Understanding Autism in Adult Women
An online guide by Julie Bjelland, LMFT
More autism resources
Explore all resources here:
JulieBjelland.com/autistichsp
Full Checklist Categories
For those who want to explore the survey items in more detail, here are the full checklist categories, organized by social, sensory, cognitive, and emotional signs.
Social Signs Of Autism In Adults
98% of HSPs checked: You value honesty, transparency, and truth in your relationships.
96% of HSPs checked: You prefer to have a select few friends who you are deeply close to versus having numerous, more superficial friendships.
88.5% of HSPs checked: You are extremely loyal to your loved ones.
77% of HSPs checked: You’ve consistently felt different from your peers.
71% of HSPs checked: Small talk feels pointless. If you engage in it, it feels cumbersome.
71% of HSPs checked: You love talking about your passions. Spending hours discussing your hobbies or interests is easy and doesn’t feel boring.
69% of HSPs checked: You often feel misunderstood by others.
56% of HSPs checked: You find it difficult to relate to the general public. Oftentimes, you don’t understand why they like the things they like or do what they do.
54% of HSPs checked: Even in situations where people have included you in social outings, you feel out of place or very uncomfortable.
46% of HSPs checked: You feel like you’re playing a character or hiding your authentic self in social situations.
40% of HSPs checked: When you spend a lot of time with certain people, you find yourself mimicking their mannerisms (e.g., phrases they use, how they dress, how they behave).
38.5% of HSPs checked: Others often misinterpret your behavior. People mistakenly think you’re being rude or behaving as if you don’t like them.
31% of HSPs checked: Some of your friends have ended their friendships with you, and you don’t understand why.
21% of HSPs checked: To prepare for a social outing, you think of jokes or phrases ahead of time to use in conversation.
11.5% of HSPs checked: You have trouble reading people’s non-verbal cues.
Sensory Signs Of Autism In Adults
80% of HSPs checked: It feels impossible to ignore assaults on your senses. For example, a scratchy sweater can completely distract you from the work you need to complete.
59% of HSPs checked: You really enjoy certain sensory input, and engaging with that input can help you regulate your emotions. For example, rocking back and forth or rubbing your face with a soft fabric can calm your anxiety.
53% of HSPs checked: Your relationship with sensory input is at the extremes—you are either very sensitive to certain sensory input or you need a lot of input for it to register. For example, you may be sensitive to certain noises or smells but prefer deep hugs to light touch.
41% of HSPs checked: You sometimes feel the need to keep your body in motion. For some, this looks like fidgeting. For others, it looks like pacing back and forth or dancing.
37% of HSPs checked: You’re a picky eater. Certain textures or smells of food can make you feel nauseous.
35% of HSPs checked: Doing the same thing repetitively is enjoyable. For example, listening to a favorite song for hours is pleasant and possibly even calming.
31% of HSPs checked: When you’re excited, it feels good to move your body in a certain way.
20% of HSPs checked: Eye contact is extremely uncomfortable.
Cognitive Signs Of Autism In Adults
94% of HSPs checked: When you work on something you enjoy, you easily become absorbed in that activity.
90% of HSPs checked: You are good at noticing details.
77% of HSPs checked: You are very persistent and goal-oriented when it comes to things you care deeply about.
73% of HSPs checked: It feels safest and most comfortable when you know what to expect.
71% of HSPs checked: You care deeply and are extremely knowledgeable about a few specific areas of interest.
69% of HSPs checked: You function best with routine and consistency.
58% of HSPs checked: You are exceptionally passionate about your hobbies and interests. You know more about your interests than most of the people you know.
54% of HSPs checked: Sudden changes in plans really bother you and can easily ruin your mood.
46% of HSPs checked: You struggle with executive functioning (e.g., time management, organization, working memory, task initiation).
44% of HSPs checked: Puzzles (i.e., Rubik’s cube, sudoku) are fun and possibly even soothing to you.
27% of HSPs checked: It’s difficult to change your mind.
23% of HSPs checked: Thinking in absolutes (i.e., always, never, definitely) comes most naturally to you. Needing to consider the in-betweens or “grey areas” (i.e., sometimes, only in certain situations) feels more difficult.
Emotional Signs Of Autism In Adults
90% of HSPs checked: It’s easier to regulate your emotions when you feel like you have control over your environment.
86.5% of HSPs checked: When things feel out of control or chaotic, you feel especially anxious.
50% of HSPs checked: More often than not, you feel anxious.
46% of HSPs checked: It’s upsetting when your things are touched, moved, or rearranged without advance notice or your permission.
40% of HSPs checked: Sometimes you feel like you can’t handle your emotions. Intense emotions seem to come and go without any discernible reason.
35% of HSPs checked: When something unexpected happens, you might have an emotional meltdown or anxiety attack.
19% of HSPs checked: You struggle with extreme social anxiety.
Julie Bjelland, LMFT
A psychotherapist, author, and educator specializing in neurodiversity-affirming autism assessments for late-identified autistic women and highly sensitive adults. Her work centers the internal lived experience of autistic individuals, particularly those with high-masking and internal presentations who have often been missed by traditional diagnostic models.
She is the founder of The Sensitive & Neurodivergent Community, a global space for connection, education, and support, and the author of the forthcoming book Autistic Women: A Clinician’s Guide to Neurodiversity-Affirming Identification and Support (W. W. Norton, 2027). Learn more at JulieBjelland.com.