Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

I Think I Might Be Autistic: A Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis and Self-Discovery for Adults

Rate this book
What if instead of being weird, shy, geeky or introverted, your brain is wired differently? For adults with undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is often an "aha!" moment--when you realize that ASD just might be the explanation for why you've always felt so different. "I Think I Might Be A Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis and Self-Discovery for Adults" begins from that 'aha!' moment, addressing the many questions that follow. What do the symptoms of ASD look like in adults? Is getting a diagnosis worth it? What does an assessment consist of and how can you prepare for it? Cynthia Kim shares the information, insights, tips, suggestions and resources she gathered as part of her own journey from "aha!" to finally being diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in her forties. This concise guide also addresses important aspects of living with ASD as a late-diagnosed adult, including coping with the emotional impact of discovering that you're autistic and deciding who to share your diagnosis with and how.

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 8, 2013

581 people are currently reading
2910 people want to read

About the author

Cynthia Kim

4 books90 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
801 (42%)
4 stars
722 (38%)
3 stars
297 (15%)
2 stars
53 (2%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
Profile Image for Maxine (Booklover Catlady).
1,429 reviews1,421 followers
March 24, 2024
This is an absolutely fantastic book for any adult who is either starting to realise they are on the Autism Spectrum or want to know more information about diagnostic pathways without a whole lot of psychobabble.

I have Aspergers which is on the Autism Spectrum, the author is on the Autism Spectrum too - that's why this book is so good because it will speak to those who need this information. How can someone who is not autistic write a book about what it's really like? They can't, they miss key things.

The book is very easy to read and starts with the moments of self-diagnosis and realisation, covers different feelings that come with that, has check lists of the criteria to meet an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis then tackles the question of why to get diagnosed? Some do, some don't.

The book has excellent information in the diagnostic pathways in the USA for adults who suspect they are on the spectrum, obviously in other parts of the world it's different, and often not easy. Many are stopped at GP level when their doctor says "you are too social to be autistic" (bring on training for front line professionals!)

I was diagnosed at age 41, I knew a lot about it as my son has Aspergers but they day I read the traits in women (different to men) I had my ah-ha moment. I will be recommending this book in all the groups for adults who suspect they are on the autism spectrum all the questions they ask, many are answered here.

Great writing again from Cynthia, simple, clear and precise. It's also honest and I like the way she is not scared to include parts of her own journey. Highly recommended with no doubts, I wish I had this book 2 years ago when I first started to explore if I was or not.

5 huge happy paw prints from Booklover Catlady for this great book!



Thanks so much to Cynthia for allowing me to read and review her book which I had requested as so interested, her books and blog (Musings of An Aspie) are brilliant.
Profile Image for Chris.
2,882 reviews209 followers
June 7, 2015
Excellent little book for those of us who've come to suspect we're neurodiverse (on the spectrum) instead of neurotypical. Defines autism spectrum disorders, describes the process of getting an official diagnosis (and how that might not even be possible for everyone), and discusses how to properly self-diagnose. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Denise.
823 reviews161 followers
April 11, 2022
I think this is a great introduction to understanding autistic traits, whether for yourself or in others. The author broke it down in an easy to understand manner, gave a great overview, and provided steps and advice for starting the diagnosis process.

I've suspected for a long time that I am autistic. Even before that, I've always known that I was different. Going through this book and checking off symptom after symptom felt both incredibly validating and also emotional. It's a strange feeling to finally understand why the most simple, common tasks feel impossible after struggling your entire life. I didn't make it up, I'm not being dramatic or whiny, I can't just simply try harder to fit in.

Getting professionally diagnosed is difficult and expensive af, so this is a great resource for beginning the journey or simply looking to learn more.
Profile Image for Robin P..
33 reviews4 followers
October 28, 2014
Having been undiagnosed for 24 years and suddenly struggling with the realization that I'm Autistic, this book helped me so much. I was having a kind of mental breakdown over my discovery, when this book took me by the hand and said, in a clear and soothing voice, "Everything will be okay. You're not broken. You have a different neurotype. What you're experiencing is to be expected. Also, if you want, and when you are ready, here is the practical progression toward getting a diagnosis." (not an actual quote, obvs.)

The best thing about this book was the author is Autistic herself, and was so encouraging and insightful because she went through all the things I was going through herself.

My experience reading this book was just, "Oh. Oh! OH!!!!", over and over, then crying from relief and feeling so much better.

Would recommend to anyone who is undiagnosed and struggling, or who thinks they're probably Autistic/Aspie.

If you identify as female, non-binary, or femme, and think you may be Autistic, you may also find this video useful. I think the list of "female" autistic traits goes well with the book, which lists mostly the "general" autistic traits-- which is slanted a bit toward boys and men.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIgsJ...
Profile Image for Cynthia K.
329 reviews
August 30, 2013
After struggling to find information and support as an undiagnosed adult, Cynthia Kim wrote this book to help others. I “met” this other Cynthia K via her blog, Musings of an Aspie. A few weeks ago on her Facebook page, she offered free copies of her book to volunteers willing to write a review. I signed up and received my copy in the mail last Friday.

My first reaction upon seeing the book was one of relief. Due to time constraints, I primarily enjoy books in their audio form. That’s why I was happy to see that Kim’s sleek, compact book was only 110 pages, including the index.

Despite its brevity, the book feels very thorough. The first two chapters are a great introduction to ASD. Kim begins with the formal, technical language of the American Psychology Association’s Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, but then she explains the diagnostic criteria by posing questions that center on specific examples for each one.

Once Kim has explained ASD, she takes us through her own process of realizing she might be autistic, self-diagnosing and then getting an “official” diagnosis. One might think the book would end there, but Kim goes on to write about what to expect and options to consider after receiving a diagnosis. Each chapter concludes with bullet points that summarize the section. Throughout, Kim adds the caveat that she is relating her personal journey and that what she experienced might not hold true for everyone.

Even though I’m not autistic, I found this book to be useful. That may seem obvious since I’m the parent of an autistic child. While it’s true that this guide can help parents like myself gain insight into their children, I think reading Kim’s book could be an exercise in empathy for everyone. I don’t think I might be autistic, but I found myself nodding my head when I was reading through the list of traits. I have yet to meet a person without some kind of sensory sensitivity or who always communicates without flaws or who has perfect relationships or who has never made a social misstep. I think everyone can relate to these items. Once that connection is established, it makes it a little easier to understand how challenging life might be for autistic children and adults when these difficulties are combined and intensified. In other words, reading Kim’s book goes beyond raising awareness of autism-it encourages acceptance.
Profile Image for Sabine.
62 reviews5 followers
July 26, 2018
I found this book very helpful, especially when helping to interpret the DSM symptoms by the many examples and the process of actually being diagnosed.
Profile Image for Avery.
122 reviews3 followers
September 21, 2013
This is a very good introductory guide to understanding and identifying adult ASD. It's especially in-depth about assessment procedures if you are looking for an official diagnosis, but also covers in detail how to go about a self-diagnosis. The author provides useful links and resources throughout, and her writing is very friendly and easy to follow.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who thinks they may have ASD and were never diagnosed or for those simply interested in learning more about it. It's a quick read with a lot of good information.
Profile Image for Rabia.
28 reviews30 followers
May 1, 2022
I opened this book thinking that I'd skim it a little bit and move on. Jokes on me because I spent 3 hours reading the whole thing. I regret nothing. Hyperfocus for the win!

Since the early to mid 2000s I'd suspected I'd been autistic. Medical gaslighting–as well as setbacks, distractions and issues regarding limited resources–led me to think otherwise but for the past year or so those suspicions have crept back in.

Reading this was truly helpful on my road to pursuing an autism diagnosis. I'm no longer a preteen, teenager or naive young adult but a wiser young adult determined to seek answers to pesky questions that have remained for far too long.

I'd give this 5 stars (if possible 4½) but the author insists on using the term a*perger's–which if anyone's unfamiliar is the surname of an Austrian physician, Nazi sympathizer and eugenicist Johann "Hans" Friedrich Karl. He referred children to a Nazi German clinic responsible for murdering disabled patients.

If anyone's gonna continue to use such terminology, after knowing better I'm really disappointed. Not sure if Kim knows of the history but if she does, while I'd still appreciate this useful information she's provided, I'd be more disappointed. There's no excuse to continue using what is essentially a functioning label.

Besides that I found myself reading this book in one sitting. It should be noted that I listened to red noise while reading that really helped my ADHD brain. If anyone's interested in the video I had playing here's the link: https://youtu.be/AtUL_EXd-KM. It's also how I know I read the book for a little over 3 hours. I took short breaks for which I paused the video and resumed when I was ready to read again.

The fact that I completed a book is such fantastic news for me, as ADHD hinders my reading experience no matter how interested I am in reading something. I recommend this book for anyone interested in an autistic experience, whether they are on a path to self-discovery, wanting information for a loved one, or just curious or wanting more information from an autistic adult woman–a rare narrative in scientific literature–I Think I Might Be Autistic: A Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis and Self-Discovery for Adults is a useful resource.
Profile Image for Crystal.
2,499 reviews64 followers
July 24, 2019
This is by far, one of the best book on Autism that I have read. Though it was short, it had the most helpful information in it, and in a way that is understandable.

I have been researching Autism Spectrum disorders and Asperger's for a few years now, just because the subject interested me. The last few years though, I have thought that I have a few too many qualities to now wonder if I do in fact fall on the spectrum. The way that this book was laid out, was perfect. Start to finish, the author's process of her own discovery. I found the writing easy to read. I also found that there are many more things in my life that could be attributed to me having Asperger's than I previously thought.

This book was not just about my own self-discovery, but I think that it will be a short, but thorough, book that I can share with my friends and family that can help them understand both why I am the way I am, and why I believe that I fall on the Autism spectrum.
Profile Image for Booklover.
814 reviews
April 8, 2018
I was intrigued by this book because it describes the journey a woman takes when she discovers she has Asperger's syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It includes one chapter listing all the different types of traits that may be exhibited by people who have ASD. I wish she had explained the traits further, with examples from her life and other people's lives. For this reason, I only give it 3 stars. (I think her other book "Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate: A User Guide to an Asperger Life" hopefully covers that.

Instead, the majority of the book covers the types of ways you can self-diagnose yourself, and the next steps to take once you figure out that you may have ASD including sensemaking, acceptance, whether to seek a formal assessment or not, types of assessments, and whether you should disclose you have ASD or not and to whom.
Profile Image for Rachelle.
185 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2014
Growing up I often wondered if I might have a developmental delay of some sort and maybe my parents just didn't tell me because of the stigma. In the past half year it's been pointed out to me that I have many traits to put me on the Autism Spectrum. Reading this book was validating and insightful. I think that not only people who are or suspect that they are on the Spectrum will benefit from reading, but friends, family members, and others who interact with ASD will benefit as well.
Cynthia Kim writes in a way that is easy-to-understand, breaking down the DSM-V criteria into lay-man's terms. She discusses the pros and cons of self-diagnosis vs getting officially diagnosed, and each chapter wraps up with highlights and summaries of that chapter's main points.
Profile Image for Cherie.
Author 28 books117 followers
October 30, 2017
If you think you might be autistic, then consider reading Cynthia Kim's I Think I Might Be Autistic: A Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis. Kim goes over the DSM-V definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder, lists a series of questions that can help a person figure out if they meet DSM-V's definition, and contains information on how she obtained a diagnosis. As someone who suspects she is on the spectrum and answered way too many yeses to the questions, I found this book to be a wonderful starting point about Autism Spectrum Disorder. I recommend I Think I Might Be Autistic by Cynthia Kim to anyone who thinks they are on the spectrum or recently diagnosed with ASD or anyone interested in learning more about autism.
Profile Image for Deanna.
55 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2017
I found this short book to be an informative, accessible, and empowering resource in my journey of contemplating being an undiagnosed autistic adult (and what to do). In addition to educating, Kim breaks down the pros and cons of pursuing formal diagnosis vs. self-diagnosis. I would recommend this to anyone on a similar path.
Profile Image for Cristan✨&#x1fa90;.
177 reviews23 followers
October 8, 2025
This was a great book to help me better understand in what ways I’m autistic or not. There is an extensive list of questions, based on the DSM-4, to answer that gives the reader a good idea of whether you fit the criteria and categories for diagnosis. You can also get some advice on how to process your realization/self-diagnosis, along with whether a diagnosis is necessary, the types of assessments available, assessment preparation, and whether you should disclose your diagnosis (in various situations). I only gave this book four stars because I hoped for step-by-step information on each assessment option rather than brief overviews. Plus, it needs to be updated for the most recent DSM.

I used this book to help me self-assess, prepare for assessment, and decide whether to disclose the results at my job to ask for reasonable accommodation. I got an evaluation from the Sachs Center (for $890 in October 2025) with a psychologist through a virtual appointment and online testing. This way, I could be in the comfort of my own home to unmask and be myself. I highly recommend them and this short book to help others considering the same.
Profile Image for Zawani.
101 reviews
August 1, 2025
A guidebook on diagnosing autistic in adults, and some traits which confirms the spectrum and the listing the steps you will undergo should you wish to pursue diagnosis to be done proffessionally. Most autistic in adults are underdiagnosed due to lack of awareness in autism back in theor younger days and that the autism level is not severe but does not mean they are not within the spectrum. Understand that autistic people are not broken, they are just built differently and are more sensitive to most people perceives normally. Most will think of how can fix it rather than trying to live with it. Once you understand your nature, it's not necessary changes are needed but understanding that some things are beyond your control or for at least be at peace rather than blaming that there is something wrong with you.
Profile Image for Yahli Rot.
282 reviews
February 21, 2022
Very helpful and educational

This book helped me understand many aspects of autism better, and become more aware of myself in a good way.
The detailed description of the whole process is extremely important and appreciated.
Highly recommended if you're interested in autism, and especially if you think you might be on the spectrum.
Profile Image for Benjamin  Thomas.
463 reviews74 followers
September 10, 2023
A great read for anyone seeking understanding in what it means to be diagnosed autistic as an adult.
Profile Image for Whitten Steele.
1 review
April 8, 2023
Very helpful for anyone considering whether they might be autistic. Framing each of the diagnostic criteria as a series of questions gives one the ability to be more specific.
Profile Image for Jamy.
22 reviews
September 23, 2020
Useful information if you're specifically looking into getting diagnosed.
43 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2021
Very short and readable book with first steps for newly discovered autistic adults. I mostly skimmed it but a good reference to look back on. I would recommend this book for autistic adults and allies.
Profile Image for Melissa Maune.
1 review
January 9, 2016
Cynthia Kim really helps readers organize their thoughts

Cynthia Kim's style of writing has truly helped me organize my thoughts and feelings about the possibility (and eventually the definitive fact) that I am autistic. She goes into detail about traits and thought processes common for autistic people, and the steps to take if you're interested in an adult diagnosis, and the risks and benefits that diagnosis can bring. I love that she included a chapter detailing why it may not be a good idea to disclose a diagnosis straight away, because when I found out I found it baffling why anyone would want to hide this part of themselves. I truly recommend this book as a jumping off point if you believe you're an adult autistic.

I paid full price for this book and am under no obligation to leave a review.
Profile Image for James Braswell.
2 reviews
February 12, 2014
Brilliantly written!

Brilliantly written!

i read through Cynthia's book in one sitting. She writes with clarity, and i felt as if she was talking to me rather than me simply reading. i was diagnosed with Asperger's on January 7, 2014. i feel that my diagnosis is revelatory into who i am as a person, not a bad thing to know at all. Cynthia gives the reader up to date, relevant information in a very conversive and engaging style! oh, i just turned 61 December 2013; the quest for self understanding has not abated. thank you Cynthia!
Profile Image for Christia Hall.
16 reviews4 followers
January 22, 2018
Inspirational, informative, spot on

Inspirational, informative, spot on. I appreciate the stuff discovery perspective of this book, as opposed to being just a general book about ASD. I highlighted every line that I relate to personally and was surprised by the sheer volume of things Kim was able to put to words on what I felt to be on my behalf. I recommend this book for anyone searching for answers whether for themselves or to better understand others. The book mostly focuses on getting a diagnosis, but is helpful in many other ways.
Profile Image for Brian.
118 reviews
November 10, 2016
I really liked this book. Short, quick reading, to the point, with many links (in the Kindle version) to resources and many suggestions for further reading. It gave a great sense of the author's journey, in copious detail, toward a diagnosis, including why some people choose to get one and others do not. Very encouraging and helpful.
Profile Image for Kirsten Lost 2022.
239 reviews7 followers
January 11, 2017
This book was very useful to me and helped crystallise some thoughts that I've had for some time. It's gently helpful and encouraging as it talks you through the process of what discovery might mean for you.

I'd recommend this to anyone who has an inkling or a thought, or to partners of those thought-having people.
Profile Image for Sylvia.
137 reviews12 followers
July 6, 2017
I really appreciated the first part of the book which is something between a questionnaire and a description of autistic traits. It was exactly what I was looking for. Unfortunately the rest was boring and/or annoying. I was already familiar with most of the information and wasn't interested in the author's personal experience which she describes in detail.
Profile Image for Alli.
57 reviews19 followers
December 31, 2015
REALLY good book! The checklist and more in-depth descriptions of symptoms in the beginning are incredibly helpful. This is short, sweet, and to the point. It's not a book trying to help you figure out how to cope with Asperger's, but is a great tool for self-diagnosis.
78 reviews51 followers
July 13, 2016
Can't say from personal experience as I don't think *I* am autistic, but I know someone who might be, so reading up on it to have a better understanding of what autism entails.

This is a down to earth, easy read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.