9 Ways Neurocomplex Adults (Accidentally) Make Others Uncomfortable
Making Sense of Social Friction in a World That Assumes Neurotypical Experience
When you are a neurocomplex adult—autistic, ADHD, highly sensitive, gifted, or otherwise neurologically distinct—living in a world governed by social norms that assume a neurotypical experience often feels like learning a foreign language. You sense differently, process differently, and connect differently. Yet, these norms expect you to “act normal,” to follow scripts you weren’t given, and to fit within frameworks not designed for you.
The result? Daily friction. Not because you’re rude or unaware, but because the world’s unwritten social expectations are based on assumptions about a neurotypical brain and way of being. Many clients tell me they feel like they’re making people uncomfortable just by being themselves. They’re not failing socially—they’re mismatched with the social code.
Below are 9 common ways this happens, expanded with reflections on why these occur through a neurocomplex lens, plus gentle strategies to support yourself—even when those around you don’t yet fully understand your experience.