Here we try and dispell some of the unhelpful myths and stereotypes associated with ASD, in this article we look into Autism versus Narcissism.

Narcissism and Autism

Human behaviour takes a fair amount of navigating, especially when complex conditions are involved.

How do you distinguish between personalities and the impact of conditions which may impact behaviour?

Two terms that are frequently discussed in this muddled context are when people are comparing narcissism versus autism.

Although both terms deal with human personality and behaviour, it is very important to note early they are distinct.

This article therefore aims to shed light on the differences between narcissism and autism.

We hope to help clarify misconceptions and promote a better understanding of both.

Core characteristics

It would probably be helpful to call out the core characteristics for both autism and narcissism.

Narcissism

Narcissism is a term which gets thrown around very regularly, sometimes accurately, sometimes less so.

The definition is that it relates to a personality trait characterised by an excessive preoccupation with themselves.

This often ends up leading to a sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, and a need for admiration.

Another factor with someone who has narcissistic traits is that they tend to have an inflated sense of their own importance.

This can nefariously lead to them trying to exploit others for personal gain.

While most of us have a degree of self-confidence, in narcissism it can interfere with relationships and daily life.

If we are painting an accurate enough picture of a narcessist being not someone you want in your life we are doing it justice!

Autism

Autism, on the other hand, is a disorder that can impact people in a number of ways.

Although unique to the individual, commonly impacted areas include social interaction, communication, and behaviour.

Autism is usually picked up during childhood and it’s severity can vary wildly.

With that said however it is also possible for individuals to live with undiagnosed autism for a lifetime.

Individuals with autism often experience challenges in navigating social situations, expressing themselves, and dealing with change.

Autism can result in unique talents and strengths, however with that said it can make it difficult for affected individuals to engage in typical social interactions.

Empathy

One key distinction between narcissism and autism lies in the complicated emotion empathy.

Narcissists tend to lack genuine emotional empathy, but that is not to say that they don’t understand other people’s emotions.

In contrast, individuals with autism often struggle grasping the perspectives of others or recognising their emotions.

In addition, common difficulties with interpreting social nuances can lead to misunderstandings.

However, many individuals with autism have a strong capacity for emotional empathy and can feel deeply for others.

This may be despite challenges in expressing it in conventional ways.

Motivation for social interactions

Narcissists often seek social interactions to gain admiration or attention from others.

Their interactions may be driven by a desire for personal gain or to enhance their self-image.

These motivations can sometimes lead to manipulative behaviours or exploitation of others for personal reasons.

For individuals with autism, social interactions can be challenging due to a number of difficulties.

These can include struggles with communication and in understanding social cues.

While many individuals with autism may desire connections, the motivation is usually driven by a genuine need for companionship and friendship.

This is in complete contrast to a narcessist who is usually driven by a desire for self-enhancement.

The challenges autistic individuals face can sometimes lead to social isolation, which can worsen their difficulties.

Examples of where confusion can arise

People confuse these terms for a reason so we thought it may be beneficial to go into some hard examples to highlight the difference.

Eye contact

Someone with autism might struggle to maintain eye contact during conversations due to their condition.

To the uninformed this could be mistaken for aloofness or arrogance by someone unfamiliar with autism.

Conversely a person with narcissistic tendencies might avoid eye contact because they genuinely don’t care and has nothing to gain from the conversation.

Attention

Both narcissists and individuals with autism might desire attention, but crucially their motivations differ.

A person with narcissism seeks attention to boost their ego or to gain something.

A person with autism may crave attention for social connection, albeit with challenges in navigating the struggles they have.

Self presentation

Both individuals with autism and narcissistic traits may struggle with self-presentation, but for different reasons.

Someone with autism might not fully grasp norms within society and as such may appear unconcerned with their appearance.

In contrast, a narcissist might meticulously groom themselves to enhance their self-image and seek admiration.

Summary – Autism versus Narcissism

Understanding the differences between narcissism and autism is really important for autistic communities.

It would be grossly unfair to label autistic individuals as narcissistic due to the manifestations of their condition.

While narcissism involves an excessive self-interest that leads to manipulation and a lack of empathy, autism is a legitimate condition which can lead to challenges in social interaction.

By recognising these distinctions, we can promote a more welcoming society to those with ASD.

A society that doesn’t judge or label them unfairly, and this is something we can all get behind.