Yes. Autism can sometimes go unrecognized in people who develop friendships, communicate effectively in familiar situations, or perform well academically.
Autistic people vary considerably in their strengths, communication styles, social experiences, sensory needs, and support requirements.
Some develop ways of navigating social expectations that make their difficulties less apparent to others. This can require substantial effort.
Having friends or doing well in school doesn’t, by itself, rule out autism.
An assessment considers developmental history and patterns across different areas of functioning rather than relying on a single characteristic or stereotype.