Preconceptions about autistic people may lead a person to overlook potentially autistic traits in another person. This is why therapists avoid assuming someone is autistic just because they exhibit one or two traits.
In fact, the symptoms of autism can sometimes resemble trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, or other personality disorders.
This means a thorough assessment and proper diagnosis should always be conducted before determining if someone is genuinely autistic.
Communication
Communication is another crucial aspect that deserves attention when working with potential autistic clients. By being aware of different communication patterns and styles, therapists can better understand their client’s needs and how to communicate with them effectively. Some signs are:
Eye Contact problem
Autistic individuals often struggle with making and maintaining eye contact. This can be seen in clients who consistently avoid looking at others, stare intensely, or divert their gaze downwards for extended periods. These behaviors may indicate that the client has autism. However, women can “mask” their symptoms. Meaning they may learn how to maintain eye contact in a way that appears natural. Thus, while a lack of eye contact can be a sign of autism, appearing to have natural eye contact does not necessarily mean the individual is not autistic.
Direct in communication
Unlike neurotypical individuals, autistic people prefer straightforward communication. In other words, instead of metaphors and vague language, they prefer exchanging information clearly and straightforwardly. This preference is due to the difficulties they face in understanding figurative language. However, this direct communication style may be misinterpreted by others as being rude or impolite.
Interrupting conversation
Another area that autistic individuals struggle with is participating in conversations.
For example, they can have difficulty understanding the appropriate amount of information to share, difficulty interpreting figurative language, and trouble picking up on social cues.
They can remain quiet or interrupt after a while. While interrupting may not be a major issue when conversing with just one person, it can become problematic if done inappropriately or gives the impression that they are not listening.
Blank expression
Expressionless faces don’t necessarily count as a sign of autism. Yet, research finds that many people with autism don’t show emotions through facial expressions like typical individuals do. One study focused on children with autism and discovered that they tend to appear very serious regardless of their social context.
Talking with an unusual pitch, tone, or rhythm
Difficulty with speech can always manifest in many ways. For example, it could mean they may be unable to modulate their voices effectively, leading to either a soft or loud tone, depending on their emotions. Moreover, they may speak rapidly or have monotonous intonation, which could be placed in uncommon areas of speech. Some individuals have brief and abrupt speech patterns, while others sound more mechanical. These challenges in speech are often observed in individuals with autism, highlighting the need for particular communication strategies and support to address this aspect of their condition.
For adults who were never diagnosed with autism, finding out they are autistic always significantly life-changing. This change is always positive and opens up new doors and leads to meaningful connections & experiences.
Nevada Autism Center is dedicated to providing the needed support and resources for individuals on this journey. For quality ABA therapy and top-tier professionals, Nevada Autism stands out as the most reliable option.
