Autism and OCD share overlapping traits like repetitive behaviors, intense interests, and rigid routines, making them hard to distinguish. Key differences are that OCD is generally distressing and fear-based (avoiding bad outcomes), while autism is often self-soothing, enjoyable, or comforting, without inherent distress.
However, there is an important difference between the two. Obsessions and compulsions for people with OCD are distressing and unwanted, whereas repetitive behaviours for autistic people, such as stimming and intense interests, are often positive, soothing and purposeful.
The 15-Minute Rule for OCD is a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) technique where you delay performing a compulsive ritual for 15 minutes after an obsessive thought arises, allowing anxiety to naturally decrease, thereby weakening the obsession-compulsion cycle and teaching your brain that the feared outcome doesn't happen without the ritual. It involves acknowledging the urge, tolerating the discomfort, and refocusing on another activity for a set time, eventually building up to longer delays as you gain control and build resilience against OCD's power.
Around 90% of autism cases are attributed to genetic factors, meaning autism is highly heritable, with many different genes contributing, rather than a single cause, often interacting with environmental influences during early brain development, though specific environmental factors don't cause it but can increase risk. Twin studies show strong genetic links, with concordance rates between 60-90% in identical twins, and research points to complex interactions of many genes and prenatal/perinatal factors.
Misdiagnosis and Potential Implications
The overlap in symptoms between OCD and autism, such as rigidity, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities, increases the likelihood of misdiagnosis.
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
OCD is one of the most frequent high-functioning ASD comorbidity. High-functioning ASD patients with OCD comorbidity present a lower IQ and decreased social cognition skills compared to patients without OCD. This emphasizes the impact of comorbidities on ASD symptoms, specifically the impact of OCD.
A: Both parents can carry genes associated with autism, even if they don't show any signs themselves. These genes can be passed down to children through either the mother, the father, or both.
Other signs of autism
Understanding the 6 stages of an autism meltdown can help parents, caregivers, and educators respond with empathy and support.
The great toll untreated OCD takes
Living in a constant state of anxiety is not healthy. It is not uncommon for people with OCD to suffer from other mental health problems, like depression, as a result of their OCD symptoms. People with OCD may isolate themselves, and prefer to be alone.
The 4 R's for OCD Management
Recognition: Identifying obsessions and compulsions. Relabeling: Acknowledging these as symptoms of OCD, not reality. Refocusing: Redirecting attention elsewhere. Revaluation: Understanding the thoughts and behaviors as insignificant.
Common types of compulsive behaviour in people with OCD include:
Chinning is a form of repetitive self-stimulatory behavior (stimming) that you may notice in children or adults with autism. It involves pressing, rubbing, or holding the chin against objects, surfaces, or even hands to gain sensory input or comfort.
However, a person can be mildly autistic. Mildly autistic people are unable to understand the body language or emotions (sarcasm, pain, and anger) of the people around them. However, they have normal intelligence and can carry out their day-to-day activities.
One of the key signs and symptoms of high functioning OCD is persistent, obsessive thoughts. These thoughts often revolve around fears of harm, making mistakes, or being imperfect. Unlike general anxiety, these thoughts are more than just worries—they are persistent, intrusive, and difficult to control.
Seven key signs of autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder - ASD) often involve difficulties with social communication (like avoiding eye contact or not responding to their name), restricted/repetitive behaviors (like hand-flapping or lining up toys), strong reactions to sensory input (lights, sounds), intense focus on specific interests, distress over changes in routine, challenges with social cues (like sarcasm), and sometimes, delays in speech or pretend play. These signs vary greatly and appear in different combinations, often becoming noticeable in early childhood.
changing speech or tone of voice, for example by using less direct phrasing, or being more or less animated. suppressing, reducing or hiding stimming (such as hand flapping or echolalia), or switching to less noticeable stims such as playing with a pen.
If you have low support needs (high-functioning autism), you may have symptoms such as: Not making direct eye contact. Having a hard time making friends (or preferring to be alone) Not understanding social “rules” or norms.
Researchers are not sure what causes autism, but they believe genetic and environmental factors play a role. Risk factors can include having older parents or a sibling with ASD, genetic or chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome or fragile X syndrome, and very low birth weight.
The three main symptom areas for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are persistent difficulties with social communication and interaction, restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, and often, different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention, all of which impact daily functioning. These core characteristics vary greatly but center on social connection challenges, rigid routines or repetitive actions, and sensory sensitivities.
People with autism can live independent, successful, and happy lives with the right support. Autism affects each individual differently — it's a spectrum. Early diagnosis and ABA therapy greatly enhance independence outcomes.
OCD rituals may resemble repetitive behaviors; however, the function is different (the function is to reduce the distressing thought/fear/anxiety), while for the Autistic, it is more often tied to our sensory processing and is a method of self-soothing (Ruzzano et al., 2015).
The 15-Minute Rule for OCD is a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) technique where you delay performing a compulsive ritual for 15 minutes after an obsessive thought arises, allowing anxiety to naturally decrease, thereby weakening the obsession-compulsion cycle and teaching your brain that the feared outcome doesn't happen without the ritual. It involves acknowledging the urge, tolerating the discomfort, and refocusing on another activity for a set time, eventually building up to longer delays as you gain control and build resilience against OCD's power.
While every person is unique, here is a general list of common autism obsessions or special interests: