Some autism traits are spoken about a lot. Others, not so much, even though they still affect our daily lives. So, what are some of these less spoken about autistic traits?
Face blindness. This is where somebody struggles to recognise other people’s faces. This can be really frustrating. People walk up to me and start talking as if I know them, but I can’t work out who they are. Seeing someone in a different context, or someone I don’t know well makes this harder. Prosopagnosia is the official name of this condition, in which a person simply cannot recognise people’s faces at all. I don’t experience face blindness this severely, but some do.
Having no filter. Many autistic people find that they say exactly what they are thinking and exactly what they mean. Words have a habit of just spilling out of my mouth without me thinking. This would be fine if we lived in a society which appreciates blunt honesty. But we don’t, so unfortunately this often means we can be perceived as rude.
The ‘autism accent’. Professionals would describe this as abnormal speech patterns. I’m not sure what specifically is different about our voices, but some autistic people find that they are often asked about their voice or accent. I have been. In primary school other kids used to mock my voice. Now I mainly just get told I’m posh or get asked where I’m from. Perhaps this is just a coincidence. Anyhow, many autistic people have adopted the term ‘autism accent’ to describe this phenomena.
Difficulty with motor skills. I couldn’t catch a ball in PE. In fact, recent research shows that autistic children are less likely to be able to catch a ball than non-autistic children. We can lack fine motor co-ordination skills. Sports, and even simple things like carrying stuff, can be difficult for this reason. We may have slower reaction times than other people. We may lack co-ordination. We may be clumsy or be ‘awkward’. This can be embarrassing, especially if you’re twelve and in a P.E. class and the other kids are laughing at you.
Talking too fast or too loudly. I have difficulty regulating the volume and speed of my voice. When I was little, I was constantly told to use my ‘indoor voice’ and take deep breaths in between sentences, because it would seem like I wouldn’t breathe when talking. I don’t have to be told to breathe between sentences anymore, but I do actively have to remind myself to lower the volume and slow down.
Being extremely obedient. Even when this is detrimental to the person’s physical or mental health. For example, following an instruction even if you’re in pain because you believe you have to obey and do what you are told. I was very much like this throughout my childhood. I would never move from my cot or my bed until my parents came in and told me I could.
Lack of fear towards danger. This can seem contradictory when we may be anxious around seemingly harmless things, yet impulsively put ourselves in danger in different situations. This is thought to be due to higher impulsivity and our focus being fixated on something else. I struggle to focus on more than one thing at once. So, if my thoughts are elsewhere, or I am glued to something else, I may miss signs of danger around me.
A better connection with animals than with people. Many autistic people love animals. This is a common special interest for autistic girls. We can find animals easier to connect to and understand than other people, and they give us unconditional love. There are no social expectations with them. They just love us, as we are.
Gastrointestinal problems. These are very common in autistic people. A 2014 study suggests that autistic children are four times more likely to experience constipation, diarrhoea, or abdominal discomfort. Many other studies support this too in both autistic children and adults. There’s a lot of uncertainty about whether this is to do with our bodies being more sensitive to certain foods and changes in diets, or whether this is to do with higher anxiety levels, or perhaps a mixture of both.
These are just nine autistic traits which I believe are rarely discussed. What other autistic traits do you think are less spoken about? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
All my love,
Emily.
Greetings, readers. I'm an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the realm of autism spectrum disorders, drawing from both personal experience and extensive research. As someone who has navigated the intricate landscape of autism, I'm well-versed in the nuances that shape the daily lives of individuals on the spectrum. Now, let's delve into the less discussed yet profoundly impactful autistic traits highlighted in the article.
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Face Blindness (Prosopagnosia): Face blindness is a condition where individuals struggle to recognize other people's faces. The author describes the frustration of not being able to identify individuals, especially in different contexts or with less familiarity. The official term for this condition is prosopagnosia, and while the author may not experience it severely, some individuals with autism face significant challenges in recognizing faces.
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Lack of Filter: Autistic individuals often find it challenging to filter their thoughts before speaking. The article suggests that words can unintentionally spill out without thoughtful consideration, potentially leading to perceptions of rudeness in a society that may not always appreciate blunt honesty.
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'Autism Accent' - Abnormal Speech Patterns: The concept of an 'autism accent' is introduced, referring to abnormal speech patterns observed in some autistic individuals. The author mentions being asked about their voice or accent, and this phenomenon is shared among many autistic individuals, contributing to potential social challenges.
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Difficulty with Motor Skills: Autism can impact fine motor coordination skills, affecting activities like sports and carrying objects. The article highlights difficulties in catching a ball and notes that recent research indicates autistic children may be less adept at such tasks compared to non-autistic peers.
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Talking too Fast or Too Loudly: Autistic individuals may struggle with regulating the volume and speed of their voice. The author shares personal experiences of being told to use an 'indoor voice' and having to actively remind themselves to lower the volume and slow down.
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Extreme Obedience: The article mentions a tendency among some autistic individuals to be extremely obedient, even in situations detrimental to their physical or mental health. This trait is illustrated through personal childhood experiences of following instructions despite being in pain.
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Lack of Fear towards Danger: Autistic individuals may exhibit a lack of fear towards danger, seemingly contradictory to their anxiety around seemingly harmless things. This is attributed to higher impulsivity and fixation on specific thoughts, leading to potential oversight of signs of danger.
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Better Connection with Animals: A notable trait is a stronger connection with animals than with people. Many autistic individuals, particularly girls, find it easier to connect with and understand animals due to the absence of social expectations, receiving unconditional love in return.
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Gastrointestinal Problems: Autistic individuals commonly experience gastrointestinal problems, as highlighted in a 2014 study suggesting a higher likelihood of constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort. The exact cause remains uncertain, with possibilities including heightened sensitivity to certain foods, changes in diets, or a combination of factors.
These less spoken about autistic traits provide valuable insights into the diverse and often misunderstood aspects of autism. By fostering a deeper understanding of these nuances, we can work towards a more inclusive and supportive society for individuals on the autism spectrum.
