Have you ever heard someone casually say, “We’re all a little bit Autistic, aren’t we?”
It might sound like an attempt to relate or show understanding. It might even be said with good intentions. But let’s be clear: this statement is inaccurate, dismissive, and harmful to the Autistic community.
To illustrate how absurd it is, let’s flip the script and apply that same logic to other conditions:
- “We’ve all had a bit of a heart attack, though?”
- “We’re all a tiny bit pregnant, aren’t we?”
- “I mean, we’re all just a bit menopausal, though, right?”
- “This one time, I fell asleep on my arm and it went numb, so I’m a stroke survivor, too?”
- “I used to smoke, so that makes me a cancer survivor, right?”
When you read those statements, they sound ridiculous. That’s because they trivialize serious health conditions by suggesting everyone experiences them in some small way. You wouldn’t say you’re “a bit pregnant” or “a little bit of a heart attack survivor” because those things have clear definitions and real-life impacts.
Autism is no different.
Autism Is Not a Quirk—It’s a Neurotype
Autism is not a preference, a personality trait, or something you can dabble in. It is a neurodevelopmental difference—a fundamental way a person’s brain is wired to process the world. Being Autistic affects sensory perception, social interaction, communication, and daily functioning. It is not something you can “sort of” experience because you dislike loud noises or enjoy routines.
When someone says, “We’re all a little Autistic,” what they’re usually doing is confusing common human traits—like liking structure or feeling socially awkward—with the lived reality of an Autistic person. That’s not just wrong; it’s damaging.
Why Saying ‘We’re All a Bit Autistic’ Is Harmful
1. It Dismisses Real Challenges
Autistic people often navigate a world that wasn’t designed for them. From sensory overload in noisy environments to communication barriers and workplace discrimination, these challenges are very real. Suggesting that “everyone is a little Autistic” invalidates those experiences and minimizes the need for accommodations and understanding.
2. It Centers Neurotypical Experience
When a neurotypical person claims they are “a little Autistic,” what they usually mean is, “I can relate to that one small thing you mentioned.” But Autism is not about isolated quirks. It’s a pervasive difference that influences almost every aspect of life. Centering the conversation on a neurotypical person’s minor preferences overshadows the lived experiences of Autistic people.
3. It Invalidates Identity
Autism is not a phase or a mood; it’s an integral part of someone’s identity. For many Autistic people, hearing “We’re all a little Autistic” feels like erasure. It reduces a deeply significant aspect of who they are to a trend or a casual comparison.
What People Really Mean (and How to Say It Better)
Often, people say this as an attempt to connect, to show empathy, or to normalize neurodiversity. If that’s what you mean, there are better—and more respectful—ways to express it:
✅ “I can relate to some aspects of what you’re saying, but I know it’s not the same as your experience.”
✅ “I appreciate the different perspectives Autism brings.”
✅ “I don’t fully understand, but I’d like to learn more.”
These phrases acknowledge difference while respecting boundaries and lived experiences.
The Reality Check
We’re not all “a bit Autistic.” That phrase needs to stop.
Autism is not a personality quirk or something you can claim because you like routine or dislike crowds. It’s a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that shapes how a person experiences the world.
Saying “we’re all a bit Autistic” might sound inclusive, but it’s not. It’s dismissive. It’s belittling. It erases the very real struggles and strengths of Autistic people by lumping everyone into the same category.
The Bottom Line
You wouldn’t claim to be “a little bit pregnant,” “a bit of a cancer survivor,” or “kind of had a heart attack.” So why do it with Autism? Words matter. They shape attitudes, policies, and the way people see themselves and others.
The next time you hear someone say it—or feel tempted to say it yourself—pause and reconsider. If you truly want to support Autistic people, start by respecting that their experience is unique, valid, and not something everyone shares.
Because being “a little bit Autistic” simply isn’t a thing.