Why do individuals with autism frequently appear anxious?
It is quite common for individuals who have autism to appear overly anxious or on the verge of becoming upset for no apparent reason. This is generally believed to be related to how they experience the world. Due to differences in brain structure and function, attempting to understand the environmental expectations of everyday life can be extremely demanding for those with autism. Sensory differences that influence the way the world is experienced as reported by individuals on the spectrum, can be extremely uncomfortable or even painful. The inability to accurately interpret the actions of others, logically predict, or to effectively communicate emotions, are all thought to contribute to the excessive anxiousness commonly observed in those with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
