A great YouTube video from Doctor Ramani about how autism spectrum disorder and narcissism are very different conditions.

Narcissism

Presentations show a lack of empathy, entitlement, grandiosity, manipulation, arrogance, excessive admiration, exploitation, and a desire for control.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Presentations that vary between individuals such as social and verbal communication difficulties, challenges with social cues, difficulty maintaining relationships, repetitive behaviours, sensory differences, and emotional regulation.

Final Thoughts

Some people believe that autism spectrum disorder overlaps with narcissism in a lack of empathy, but they are very different conditions. Autism involves neurodevelopmental differences, not a desire for control and validation through exploiting others.

It is easy for us to label individuals without understanding what is beneath their behaviour. These conditions come from very different places, and we need to create space for understanding to benefit us all.