Dr. Sanam Hafiz

Sometimes people who have severe social anxiety and can't make eye contact can appear autistic to the naked eye. Sometimes people with, you know, even mood disorder, PTSD and bipolar disorder can appear autistic if there's enough of a neurological spin to the way they present outwardly. And we do these tests, these very sensitive standardized tests like IQ testing.

Sometimes people who have severe social anxiety and can't make eye contact can appear autistic to the naked eye. Sometimes people with, you know, even mood disorder, PTSD and bipolar disorder can appear autistic if there's enough of a neurological spin to the way they present outwardly. And we do these tests, these very sensitive standardized tests like IQ testing.

And there's a measure for autism called the ADOS. It's the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. We also give them self-reporting scales. And then we observe them through several sessions. And it's a team effort. And it's not always black and white. But we're able to tell them, hey, this test comes up. Yes, you rated yourself pretty high as autistic.

And there's a measure for autism called the ADOS. It's the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. We also give them self-reporting scales. And then we observe them through several sessions. And it's a team effort. And it's not always black and white. But we're able to tell them, hey, this test comes up. Yes, you rated yourself pretty high as autistic.

And there's a measure for autism called the ADOS. It's the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. We also give them self-reporting scales. And then we observe them through several sessions. And it's a team effort. And it's not always black and white. But we're able to tell them, hey, this test comes up. Yes, you rated yourself pretty high as autistic.

But when we did the ADOS, which is a clinician administered test, you were able to have a lot of reciprocal conversation. Not only did you make eye contact, you were able to integrate nonverbal communication with verbal communication. For instance, you're sitting there, you're nodding. I can see your eye blinking exactly when I say something. You're holding your chin as I'm talking.

But when we did the ADOS, which is a clinician administered test, you were able to have a lot of reciprocal conversation. Not only did you make eye contact, you were able to integrate nonverbal communication with verbal communication. For instance, you're sitting there, you're nodding. I can see your eye blinking exactly when I say something. You're holding your chin as I'm talking.

But when we did the ADOS, which is a clinician administered test, you were able to have a lot of reciprocal conversation. Not only did you make eye contact, you were able to integrate nonverbal communication with verbal communication. For instance, you're sitting there, you're nodding. I can see your eye blinking exactly when I say something. You're holding your chin as I'm talking.

I'm using my hands. I'm gesturing in emphasis, even though the majority of people who are all of the people who are listening to me are not going to be able to see this. But this is the integration of nonverbal communication into verbal communication. Autistic individuals have a very difficult time with that.

I'm using my hands. I'm gesturing in emphasis, even though the majority of people who are all of the people who are listening to me are not going to be able to see this. But this is the integration of nonverbal communication into verbal communication. Autistic individuals have a very difficult time with that.

I'm using my hands. I'm gesturing in emphasis, even though the majority of people who are all of the people who are listening to me are not going to be able to see this. But this is the integration of nonverbal communication into verbal communication. Autistic individuals have a very difficult time with that.

They can learn eye contact to some degree, even though it looks tilted and awkward or forced, they cannot learn how to do this and they cannot learn how to do this at the same level that I'm doing it right now.

They can learn eye contact to some degree, even though it looks tilted and awkward or forced, they cannot learn how to do this and they cannot learn how to do this at the same level that I'm doing it right now.

They can learn eye contact to some degree, even though it looks tilted and awkward or forced, they cannot learn how to do this and they cannot learn how to do this at the same level that I'm doing it right now.

So those are the things that you can't always put into words or really explain to a lot of people who really believe that they check off all the criteria, maybe on paper, but not when I see them.

So those are the things that you can't always put into words or really explain to a lot of people who really believe that they check off all the criteria, maybe on paper, but not when I see them.

So those are the things that you can't always put into words or really explain to a lot of people who really believe that they check off all the criteria, maybe on paper, but not when I see them.

If you are a parent, for instance, and you're listening to this and you're wondering about your child, look for things like eye contact. Look for a child having a really difficult time. And I don't mean a child who is having a temper tantrum because they didn't get what they wanted.

If you are a parent, for instance, and you're listening to this and you're wondering about your child, look for things like eye contact. Look for a child having a really difficult time. And I don't mean a child who is having a temper tantrum because they didn't get what they wanted.

If you are a parent, for instance, and you're listening to this and you're wondering about your child, look for things like eye contact. Look for a child having a really difficult time. And I don't mean a child who is having a temper tantrum because they didn't get what they wanted.