Summary of 9 Weird Autistic Traits (You Didn’t Realise Were Signs of Autism!)
In the video titled "9 Weird Autistic Traits (You Didn’t Realise Were Signs of Autism!)", Paul Micallef discusses nine lesser-known traits commonly observed in the autistic community. The insights are drawn from his personal experiences and observations in autistic-only groups. Here are the key traits and strategies highlighted in the video:
Key Traits:
- Forgetting to Say Hello or Goodbye: Autistic individuals may skip greetings or farewells, especially in familiar groups, as they often feel comfortable without formalities.
- Unique Walking Posture: Many autistic people exhibit distinctive walking styles or postures, which can stem from sensory processing differences, particularly proprioception.
- Colorful Hair and Clothing: A noticeable trait among autistic individuals is the preference for vibrant colors in their attire, reflecting a tendency towards self-expression.
- Gender Nonconformity: Autistic people may express their gender identity in non-traditional ways, often feeling free to explore diverse gender expressions.
- Laughing at Their Own Jokes: Autistic individuals often find humor in their own thoughts and jokes, sometimes without concern for whether others understand.
- Over-Explaining: There is a tendency to provide excessive detail in conversations, often due to feeling misunderstood or not knowing what information is relevant.
- Flexibility in Thinking: Contrary to the stereotype of rigidity, many autistic people can be quite flexible in their thinking and behaviors, often requiring structured guidelines to navigate social norms.
- Inconsistent Communication: Communication patterns can be erratic, with periods of intense interaction followed by withdrawal, reflecting the need for energy management.
- Speaking with an Accent: Some autistic individuals may develop unique accents or speech patterns due to their diverse language learning experiences and social interactions.
Wellness Strategies:
- Engagement with Other Autistic Individuals: Spending time in autistic communities can foster a sense of belonging and self-discovery.
- Awareness of social interactions: Practicing greetings and farewells can enhance social connections and improve interpersonal relationships.
- Understanding sensory processing: Recognizing how proprioception affects movement can help in developing better self-awareness and posture.
Presenters/Sources:
Notable Quotes
— 07:52 — « Imagine if I was limited in my sense of humor by what other people around me are going to understand, how limiting would that be? »
— 10:00 — « They say autistic people are good at thinking outside the box, whereas in reality, it might just be a complete lack of awareness of where the box is. »
— 11:27 — « We can be a bit binary, it's either on or off. »
— 12:40 — « When your brain is used to masking and camouflaging and when you learn language and social skills from watching movies, all of this results in sometimes having a tiny bit of a funny accent. »
Category
Wellness and Self-Improvement