How do you tell the difference between autistic (distinct) anxiety and any other type of anxiety?

How do you tell the difference between autistic (distinct) anxiety and any other type of anxiety?

Let's first talk about what distinct anxiety is as defined by the researchers studying it.

In short, it's anxiety that's rooted in autistic brain wiring needs.

Examples include...

- Sensory triggers

- Unexpected routine changes

- No access to "safe" food or "safe" clothing items

- Not being able to self-regulate through stimming

- Confusing social rules or expectations 

Basically, if the anxiety is rooted in anything that's part of the diagnostic criteria for autism and the person meets the criteria for a diagnosis... it's distinct anxiety and not another type of anxiety. 

(If a person is not autistic but experiences one of the examples I shared above, that wouldn't be considered distinct anxiety because distinct anxiety is specifically rooted in autism.)

So how do you tell the difference? 

You look at what's causing the anxiety. If it's rooted in autistic needs not being met, it's distinct anxiety. If it's due to something else, it's not distinct anxiety and could be related to another anxiety condition.