Distinct anxiety, in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to anxiety symptoms that are not typically captured by standard Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria for anxiety disorders.[1][2][3] These anxieties are often unique to individuals with ASD and can manifest as fears of change, uncommon phobias (e.g., specific sounds, facial features), and anxieties related to social confusion rather than just fear of negative evaluation.
