What Is Borderline Autism in Adults?

• June 30, 2025
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Borderline autism in adults, sometimes referred to as being “on the borderline” or having subthreshold traits, describes individuals who show some characteristics of autism but don’t meet the full criteria for an official autism diagnosis. These adults may have mild challenges with social interaction, communication, sensory sensitivity, or routine changes, but can often manage daily life independently.

Borderline autism isn’t a clinical term, but it’s commonly used to describe people who relate to autism traits without a formal label. They may have been overlooked in childhood or learned to mask their difficulties over time.

Adults with borderline autism might struggle with relationships, anxiety, or feeling misunderstood. Identifying these traits, even without a full diagnosis, can help individuals seek the right support, such as therapy, social skills training, or workplace accommodations.

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SOURCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/borderline-autism-in-adults

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/signs/adults

Mild Autism in Adults: Can You Really Be “Mildly Autistic”?

https://www.autism360.com/borderline-autism

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39258830