April 24, 2025 • 16 mins
Ever wondered if you—or someone close to you—might be on the autism spectrum?
In this episode, we explore 10 subtle but significant signs that may indicate autism, especially in individuals who may have gone undiagnosed into adulthood. But here’s the key: autism doesn’t look the same for everyone, and this is not a diagnostic tool — it’s a starting point for deeper understanding.
We’ll cover:
🧩 Difficulty reading social cues or understanding emotions
🔊 Sensory sensitivity: sounds, lights, textures
🔁 A strong preference for routine and predictability
🤔 Struggles with small talk, unspoken rules, or vague language
🧠 Intense focus on specific interests or hobbies
🌀 And other traits that might fly under the radar
This podcast is for the curious, the self-aware, and those supporting loved ones. Whether this list feels familiar or it opens your eyes to new insights, we strongly encourage those who resonate to speak to a professional.
🎧 Hit play to explore these signs, challenge misconceptions, and join the conversation around neurodiversity.
💬 Found this episode helpful or eye-opening? Follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who might find comfort in this message.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mindbenders-brain-teasers-philo-psych--6019641/support.
In this episode, we explore 10 subtle but significant signs that may indicate autism, especially in individuals who may have gone undiagnosed into adulthood. But here’s the key: autism doesn’t look the same for everyone, and this is not a diagnostic tool — it’s a starting point for deeper understanding.
We’ll cover:
🧩 Difficulty reading social cues or understanding emotions
🔊 Sensory sensitivity: sounds, lights, textures
🔁 A strong preference for routine and predictability
🤔 Struggles with small talk, unspoken rules, or vague language
🧠 Intense focus on specific interests or hobbies
🌀 And other traits that might fly under the radar
This podcast is for the curious, the self-aware, and those supporting loved ones. Whether this list feels familiar or it opens your eyes to new insights, we strongly encourage those who resonate to speak to a professional.
🎧 Hit play to explore these signs, challenge misconceptions, and join the conversation around neurodiversity.
💬 Found this episode helpful or eye-opening? Follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who might find comfort in this message.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mindbenders-brain-teasers-philo-psych--6019641/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Have you ever felt like you're handed the instruction manual
for life, but maybe some of the key pages are
just missing, Or maybe you're navigating a crowded room and
it feels like everyone else is tuned into this invisible
radio station playing the same song, but you're hearing something
completely different.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
That sense of disconnect, yeah, or like experiencing the world
through a slightly different lens. It's something a lot of
people can relate to in different ways.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
And that's exactly the fascinating territory we're exploring in this
deep dive. We're going to look into ten experiences sort
of common threads that people on the autism spectrum often share.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Right, think of it as maybe shedding some light on
some common aspects within that huge tapestry of neurodiversity.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Definitely, But it's crucial right from the get go to
remember autism isn't just one thing.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Oh absolutely not. It's a spectrum so incredibly diverse. What
really clicks for one person might be totally unfamiliar to another.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
This isn't like a checklist.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Yeah, exactly. Our aim isn't to define or box anyone in.
It's more about fostering a bit more understanding looking at
some of these common ways people navigate the social world,
the sensory world.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Precisely, we're kind of unpacking these ten points based on observations,
common patterns from.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Lots of accounts and research.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
The goal is insight understanding, not diagnosis, and that.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Leads to a really important point. We need to make
clear this whole discussion. It's purely for informational purposes. It's
not meant to be a diagnostic tool at all. If
anything we talk about sparks some personal thoughts or concerns,
please please seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yes, that professional perspective is absolutely key. We're just exploring
common experiences here, not providing medical advice or evaluations.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Definitely not okay, Right, So let's dive into our first point,
This often mentioned difficulty in understanding others' emotions. This one
is always well intrigued me. I've heard people describe being
incredibly caring, really compassionate deep down, but still be told
they lack empathy. It feels like a translation issue almost.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Well, what's interesting there is thinking about empathy not just
as feeling for someone, but also accurately reading how they're
feeling in the first place. Okay, imagine trying to decode
a language where the rules keep shifting subtly, you know,
without explicit instructions processing those tiny social signals, a quick expression,
a slight change in tone. It might just happen differently,
(02:25):
so cues get missed even with the best intentions.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
That visual puzzle idea someone mentioned that really clicks. I
can sort of picture the frustration, genuinely wanting to get
how someone feels, wanting to help, but is not quite
cracking the code of those unspoken signals.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Right. It's like you want to help someone speaking a
language you only half understand. You catch some words but
miss the nuance.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
So, while our typical folks might often just intuitively get
these subtle emotional cues, for.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Some people on the spectrum it can feel.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
More like solving a really complixed math problem where the
variable are invisible and always changing. They might care deeply
want to respond the right way, but they're missing some
of that real time data others seem to absorb automatically.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Okay, let's move to the second point, difficulty functioning well
in a group. Now, I think most of us have
had chaotic group project experiences.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Right, huh, Yeah, definitely, But it.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Sounds like for some this is a much more consistent,
significant challenge across lots of different social situations.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
What often stands out here is a preference, maybe even
a need for clarity for explicit rules. Think about like
a sports team. Everyone knows the rules, their position, what's.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Expected, right, clear structure exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
But typical social groups, they often run on unspoken expectations,
shifting dynamics, things that are just implied. Without that clear framework,
it can feel really unpredictable, maybe even overwhelming.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
That feeling of accidentally being an obstacle or struggling to
cooperate when everyone else seems to just know what to
do wow them. Us feel incredibly isolating, it really care
and trying to track multiple conversations at once. Just thinking
about that makes my own brain feel a bit overloaded.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
For many, that simultaneous processing, hearing the words, seeing the
body language, figuring out the subtext, all from multiple people,
it can be genuinely overwhelming. It's hard to filter out
what's background noise and focus on the main interaction. So yeah,
feeling left out, confused, or like you're somehow messing up
the flow even when you absolutely don't mean to.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
It's understandable. And it ties back to the first point.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Too, right, Like if reading cues is hard one on one,
it gets exponentially harder in a group.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yeah, it makes sense.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Oka point three touches on something really fundamental, that feeling
of loneliness, like you don't have any real friends. And look,
I think that's an emotion lots of people feel sometimes
whatever they're neurotype, but maybe the process of making those
connections feels fundamentally different.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
If we link this back, it really highlights again how
much of social interaction is unspoken, nuanced.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Those steps that seem intuitive for forming friendships, how to start,
how to keep it going, they can feel incredibly confusing,
opaque for someone who thrives on clearer, more logical systems.
The procedure for making friends, as some people describe it,
it can feel like the secret code everyone else got
but they missed.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Out on a friend making procedure. It's not written down anywhere. Huh.
That's actually quite poignant. You can almost picture someone watching
others trying so hard to copy the.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Behavior, particulously observing, yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
But still not quite getting the underlying rhythm. The social dance.
It reminds me a bit actually of when I moved
to a new city. Trying to figure out the local
ways of connecting felt like learning unspoken rules.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
That frustration, you know, putting in sincere effort, really wanting connection,
but it just doesn't seem to work out the way
it does for others.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
It can be deeply felt. It's rarely about.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
Not wanting friends, no, of course not.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
It's more about the struggle to navigate that often implicit
social world where friendships happen.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Let's shift to number four. A unique way of speaking.
I've definitely met people with really distinct speech patterns, sometimes
surprisingly formal, almost old fashioned sounding, or maybe using really
precise big words.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
What's interesting there is how language might be used very deliberately,
very precisely, sometimes quite sophisticatedly. So some individuals might lean
towards more formal ways of talking, or use a wider
or maybe less common vocabulary, sometimes a flatter tone too,
not necessarily to sound pedantic, you know, but perhaps because
it feels more direct, more accurate, less ambiguous than casual
(06:40):
speech can sometimes be.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
And inventing unique words or phrases that's pretty creative, actually,
like finding a better tool when the existing ones don't
quite fit what you need to say.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
It can be yeah, a way to express something very specific,
and that observation people sometimes make about kids sounding like
little professors, we're speaking beyond their years.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Yeah, I've heard that.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
It really paints a picture of a different kind of
language development. It often shows a sharp mind, maybe just
a different path in how language is picked up and used.
While peers are using typical kids speak, some autistic kids
might have this surprisingly adult like grasp of vocabulary and grammar.
It can tie back to that preference for clear, unambiguous communication.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Which can be a real strength in other areas too.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
I imagine definitely Okay, number five, This is one I
think lots of people find tricky sometimes, especially in lively chats,
knowing when it's your turn to.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Speak, Oh yeah, awkward silences, talking over someone.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Right, But it sounds like for some people on the
spectrum it's less an occasional fumble and more of a
constant navigation challenge.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
So the theory of conversation is simple, I talk, pause,
you talk huh?
Speaker 2 (07:50):
If only the reality is much messier, isn't it? Overlaps, interruptions,
subtle cues, So figuring out those tiny pauses. Is that
an actual gap or are they just taking a breath?
Is that question rhetorical or do they actually want an answer?
Reading those fleeting nonverbal hints that someone else wants to
jump in, it can be incredibly difficult to decode in
(08:13):
real time.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
That unintentional interrupting. Yeah, I can really see how that
would cause misunderstandings or frustration on both sides. And in
a group with multiple people trying to get a word in,
it must feel like trying to jump onto a moving train.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Yeah, Or navigating rapids without knowing where the safe spots are,
the quick back and forth, the subtle shifts, and who's
holding the floor. It can seem effortless for some nurotypical people,
but like a constant jessing game for others.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
Okay, point number six, not really knowing what to talk
about in casual conversations small.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Talk, Aha, you're not a fan.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Well, I know some people find even brief pleasantries just training,
But it sounds like for some autistic individuals it's not
just tiring, it's genuinely confusing, Like what's the point?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Yeah, that lack of a clear purpose or like obvious
information exchange in small talk can make it feel a
bit pointless or even anxiety provoking. Right, there might be
a much stronger pull towards deeper conversations about specific interests
where you're actually exchanging meaningful information.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
And the risk of saying something that gets taken the
wrong way as rude or maybe naive or just awkward.
That really highlights the potential for miscommunication when styles differ,
doesn't it. And focusing intensely on a personal interest without
quite realizing others aren't on board. Okay, I've definitely done
that myself.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Sometimes I think many of us have getting carried away
by enthusiasm totally. But maybe for individuals on the spectrum,
these kinds of conversational mismatches happen more often or feel
more intense and trying to copy successful small.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Talk you've seen.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Yeah, that can be frustrating too, if you haven't quite
grasped the underlying, often unstated social rules. What works in
one context might fall flat in another.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Okay, Number seven, This is one we hear about quite
a bit, being real bothered by sounds that other people
don't even seem to notice. Sensory stuff, especially.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Hearing Yes, differences in sensory processing are very common, and
they can have a huge impact on daily life. So
it's not just preferring quiet, no not Usually what's just
background noise for one person can feel intensely overwhelming, distracting,
even physically painful for someone else. It can be a
genuine sensory overload. Like your internal volume knob is stuck
(10:27):
way higher than everyone else's.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Wow, So everyday sounds that.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Most people filter out, they become this constant broach that
makes it hard to focus, hard to relax.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Okay, loud places like concerts or busy shops, that makes
intuitive sense, yes, but the examples the hum of a
ceiling fan, fluorescent lights, buzzing a fridge motor, those are
so common things they barely register exactly. I can't imagine
how distracting that must be all the time.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
It can create the state of almost constant sensory assault,
making it incredibly hard to concentrate or even just be
comfortable in ordinary places. And yeah, that feeling of bewilderment,
like how are you not bothered by this? That's very common.
It really shows how differently sensory information can be processed.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Okay, Number eight presents a fascinating contrast, almost a really
strong ability to notice and remember details like a cognitive superpower. Almost.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
It absolutely can be a major strength that ability to
focus intensely on specifics, to spot patterns or tiny errors
others miss to hold on to huge amounts of factual
information that's incredibly valuable in so many fields.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Catalog numbers, dates, license plates, lists of facts. It sounds
like a very detail focused mind analytical, but the point
about it sometimes coming at the expense of the bigger picture.
That's an interesting trade off.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
It often seems to be about where the attentional focus
naturally goes. Neurotypical people might often prioritize the gist, the
main idea, but some autistic individuals have this natural tendency
to zoom in on the granular details, which can lead
to amazing expertise in specific vigarious absolutely, but maybe sometimes
makes it harder to see the forest for the trees,
you know. To synthesize everything into a broader understanding.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Number nine really hits at the heart of potential communication bumps.
Understanding language very literally.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
Hmmm, yeah, this is a big one.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
I can only imagine how confusing it must be. Trying
to navigate a world full of sarcasm, jokes, metaphors, figures
of speech.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Hmm.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
If your brain is primarily wired for the direct meaning
of words.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
The ambiguity the implied meanings, it can be a constant
source of confusion. Joke's based on wordplay, sarcasm where you
say the opposite of what you mean, metaphors, idioms, They
can all feel like someone's deliberately trying to be confusing
when a straight statement would be so much clearer.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
So things like implications or rhetorical questions where you're not
actually expecting an answer, If you're always looking for the
direct meaning, those must be really misleading.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
They can be. Yeah, and politeness too.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
People often don't say exactly what they mean right, soften
it imply things from a purely literal standpoint that can
seem illogical.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Why not just say the thing?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
It's not usually about not understanding politeness exists, but more
about a different expectation of how language should work clearly
and directly.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
That makes sense, Okay. Finally, Number ten a strong dislike,
maybe even hatred of changes in routine. Now, I think
we all get a bit thrown off when plans change.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Sure, nobody loves unexpected disruption, But this.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Sounds like it goes deeper, like it can have a
much more profound effect.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
For some people, routine can be incredibly important.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
It provides structure, predictability, a sense of security, maybe even
a feeling of control in a world that can often
feel quite unpredictable or overwhelming.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
For individuals on the spectrum where maybe sensory input feels
chaotic or social rules feel confusing, those established patterns can
be really grounding, really comforting, emotionally significant.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
So rigid schedules, needing plans, weigh in advance, knowing exactly
what's coming, and even in childhood preferring really structured, maybe
repetitive play. It paints a picture of needing that order
and consistency, and the distress when routines get broken. It
sounds like more than just being annoyed. It sounds genuinely upsetting.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
It can trigger significant anxiety. Yeah, yeah, real distress, sometimes
even overwhelm because those routines often act like a scaffolding
helping manage everything else sensory input, social demands, daily tasks. Right,
take away that structure unexpectedly, and it can feel like
the floors dropped out that loss of predictability can be
really hard to handle.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
So we've walked through these ten potential signs difficulty with emotions, groups, friendships,
unique speech turn taking, small talk, sound sensitivity, detail focus,
literal language, and hating routine changes.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Yeah, quite a range, and it's so vital to say again,
these are common observations, things that might suggest exploring further,
but they are absolutely a definitive checklist for autism.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
No, definitely not. Many of these things can show up
in different people for different reasons.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Exactly, and the spectrum itself is just so broad. One
autistic person's experience can be completely different from another's. What
resonates deeply.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
For one might mean nothing to someone else on the spectrum. Yeah,
got it.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
It's really about seeing common patterns, understanding different ways of
being in the world, and hopefully building a bit more
empathy and awareness around eurodiversity.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
So thinking about all this, maybe reflecting on these points,
what aspects kind of ping for you in your own
experiences or maybe seeing others, and maybe what other questions
does it raise? What else might you want to understand
about neurodiversity. Now, it's such a huge and fascinating area.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
It really is.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
And just one last but really crucial reminder from us.
If anything we've discussed today has raised personal questions or
concerns for you or someone you know, please do talk
to qualified healthcare professionals.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
H Absolutely, they're the experts who can offer proper assessment,
guidance and the rights support
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Couldn't agree more essential
Have you ever felt like you're handed the instruction manual
for life, but maybe some of the key pages are
just missing, Or maybe you're navigating a crowded room and
it feels like everyone else is tuned into this invisible
radio station playing the same song, but you're hearing something
completely different.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
That sense of disconnect, yeah, or like experiencing the world
through a slightly different lens. It's something a lot of
people can relate to in different ways.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
And that's exactly the fascinating territory we're exploring in this
deep dive. We're going to look into ten experiences sort
of common threads that people on the autism spectrum often share.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Right, think of it as maybe shedding some light on
some common aspects within that huge tapestry of neurodiversity.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Definitely, But it's crucial right from the get go to
remember autism isn't just one thing.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Oh absolutely not. It's a spectrum so incredibly diverse. What
really clicks for one person might be totally unfamiliar to another.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
This isn't like a checklist.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Yeah, exactly. Our aim isn't to define or box anyone in.
It's more about fostering a bit more understanding looking at
some of these common ways people navigate the social world,
the sensory world.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Precisely, we're kind of unpacking these ten points based on observations,
common patterns from.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Lots of accounts and research.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
The goal is insight understanding, not diagnosis, and that.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Leads to a really important point. We need to make
clear this whole discussion. It's purely for informational purposes. It's
not meant to be a diagnostic tool at all. If
anything we talk about sparks some personal thoughts or concerns,
please please seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yes, that professional perspective is absolutely key. We're just exploring
common experiences here, not providing medical advice or evaluations.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Definitely not okay, Right, So let's dive into our first point,
This often mentioned difficulty in understanding others' emotions. This one
is always well intrigued me. I've heard people describe being
incredibly caring, really compassionate deep down, but still be told
they lack empathy. It feels like a translation issue almost.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Well, what's interesting there is thinking about empathy not just
as feeling for someone, but also accurately reading how they're
feeling in the first place. Okay, imagine trying to decode
a language where the rules keep shifting subtly, you know,
without explicit instructions processing those tiny social signals, a quick expression,
a slight change in tone. It might just happen differently,
(02:25):
so cues get missed even with the best intentions.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
That visual puzzle idea someone mentioned that really clicks. I
can sort of picture the frustration, genuinely wanting to get
how someone feels, wanting to help, but is not quite
cracking the code of those unspoken signals.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Right. It's like you want to help someone speaking a
language you only half understand. You catch some words but
miss the nuance.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
So, while our typical folks might often just intuitively get
these subtle emotional cues, for.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Some people on the spectrum it can feel.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
More like solving a really complixed math problem where the
variable are invisible and always changing. They might care deeply
want to respond the right way, but they're missing some
of that real time data others seem to absorb automatically.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Okay, let's move to the second point, difficulty functioning well
in a group. Now, I think most of us have
had chaotic group project experiences.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Right, huh, Yeah, definitely, But it.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Sounds like for some this is a much more consistent,
significant challenge across lots of different social situations.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
What often stands out here is a preference, maybe even
a need for clarity for explicit rules. Think about like
a sports team. Everyone knows the rules, their position, what's.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Expected, right, clear structure exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
But typical social groups, they often run on unspoken expectations,
shifting dynamics, things that are just implied. Without that clear framework,
it can feel really unpredictable, maybe even overwhelming.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
That feeling of accidentally being an obstacle or struggling to
cooperate when everyone else seems to just know what to
do wow them. Us feel incredibly isolating, it really care
and trying to track multiple conversations at once. Just thinking
about that makes my own brain feel a bit overloaded.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
For many, that simultaneous processing, hearing the words, seeing the
body language, figuring out the subtext, all from multiple people,
it can be genuinely overwhelming. It's hard to filter out
what's background noise and focus on the main interaction. So yeah,
feeling left out, confused, or like you're somehow messing up
the flow even when you absolutely don't mean to.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
It's understandable. And it ties back to the first point.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Too, right, Like if reading cues is hard one on one,
it gets exponentially harder in a group.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yeah, it makes sense.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Oka point three touches on something really fundamental, that feeling
of loneliness, like you don't have any real friends. And look,
I think that's an emotion lots of people feel sometimes
whatever they're neurotype, but maybe the process of making those
connections feels fundamentally different.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
If we link this back, it really highlights again how
much of social interaction is unspoken, nuanced.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Those steps that seem intuitive for forming friendships, how to start,
how to keep it going, they can feel incredibly confusing,
opaque for someone who thrives on clearer, more logical systems.
The procedure for making friends, as some people describe it,
it can feel like the secret code everyone else got
but they missed.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Out on a friend making procedure. It's not written down anywhere. Huh.
That's actually quite poignant. You can almost picture someone watching
others trying so hard to copy the.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Behavior, particulously observing, yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
But still not quite getting the underlying rhythm. The social dance.
It reminds me a bit actually of when I moved
to a new city. Trying to figure out the local
ways of connecting felt like learning unspoken rules.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
That frustration, you know, putting in sincere effort, really wanting connection,
but it just doesn't seem to work out the way
it does for others.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
It can be deeply felt. It's rarely about.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
Not wanting friends, no, of course not.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
It's more about the struggle to navigate that often implicit
social world where friendships happen.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Let's shift to number four. A unique way of speaking.
I've definitely met people with really distinct speech patterns, sometimes
surprisingly formal, almost old fashioned sounding, or maybe using really
precise big words.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
What's interesting there is how language might be used very deliberately,
very precisely, sometimes quite sophisticatedly. So some individuals might lean
towards more formal ways of talking, or use a wider
or maybe less common vocabulary, sometimes a flatter tone too,
not necessarily to sound pedantic, you know, but perhaps because
it feels more direct, more accurate, less ambiguous than casual
(06:40):
speech can sometimes be.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
And inventing unique words or phrases that's pretty creative, actually,
like finding a better tool when the existing ones don't
quite fit what you need to say.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
It can be yeah, a way to express something very specific,
and that observation people sometimes make about kids sounding like
little professors, we're speaking beyond their years.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Yeah, I've heard that.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
It really paints a picture of a different kind of
language development. It often shows a sharp mind, maybe just
a different path in how language is picked up and used.
While peers are using typical kids speak, some autistic kids
might have this surprisingly adult like grasp of vocabulary and grammar.
It can tie back to that preference for clear, unambiguous communication.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Which can be a real strength in other areas too.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
I imagine definitely Okay, number five, This is one I
think lots of people find tricky sometimes, especially in lively chats,
knowing when it's your turn to.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Speak, Oh yeah, awkward silences, talking over someone.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Right, But it sounds like for some people on the
spectrum it's less an occasional fumble and more of a
constant navigation challenge.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
So the theory of conversation is simple, I talk, pause,
you talk huh?
Speaker 2 (07:50):
If only the reality is much messier, isn't it? Overlaps, interruptions,
subtle cues, So figuring out those tiny pauses. Is that
an actual gap or are they just taking a breath?
Is that question rhetorical or do they actually want an answer?
Reading those fleeting nonverbal hints that someone else wants to
jump in, it can be incredibly difficult to decode in
(08:13):
real time.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
That unintentional interrupting. Yeah, I can really see how that
would cause misunderstandings or frustration on both sides. And in
a group with multiple people trying to get a word in,
it must feel like trying to jump onto a moving train.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Yeah, Or navigating rapids without knowing where the safe spots are,
the quick back and forth, the subtle shifts, and who's
holding the floor. It can seem effortless for some nurotypical people,
but like a constant jessing game for others.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
Okay, point number six, not really knowing what to talk
about in casual conversations small.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Talk, Aha, you're not a fan.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Well, I know some people find even brief pleasantries just training,
But it sounds like for some autistic individuals it's not
just tiring, it's genuinely confusing, Like what's the point?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Yeah, that lack of a clear purpose or like obvious
information exchange in small talk can make it feel a
bit pointless or even anxiety provoking. Right, there might be
a much stronger pull towards deeper conversations about specific interests
where you're actually exchanging meaningful information.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
And the risk of saying something that gets taken the
wrong way as rude or maybe naive or just awkward.
That really highlights the potential for miscommunication when styles differ,
doesn't it. And focusing intensely on a personal interest without
quite realizing others aren't on board. Okay, I've definitely done
that myself.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Sometimes I think many of us have getting carried away
by enthusiasm totally. But maybe for individuals on the spectrum,
these kinds of conversational mismatches happen more often or feel
more intense and trying to copy successful small.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Talk you've seen.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Yeah, that can be frustrating too, if you haven't quite
grasped the underlying, often unstated social rules. What works in
one context might fall flat in another.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Okay, Number seven, This is one we hear about quite
a bit, being real bothered by sounds that other people
don't even seem to notice. Sensory stuff, especially.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Hearing Yes, differences in sensory processing are very common, and
they can have a huge impact on daily life. So
it's not just preferring quiet, no not Usually what's just
background noise for one person can feel intensely overwhelming, distracting,
even physically painful for someone else. It can be a
genuine sensory overload. Like your internal volume knob is stuck
(10:27):
way higher than everyone else's.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Wow, So everyday sounds that.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Most people filter out, they become this constant broach that
makes it hard to focus, hard to relax.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Okay, loud places like concerts or busy shops, that makes
intuitive sense, yes, but the examples the hum of a
ceiling fan, fluorescent lights, buzzing a fridge motor, those are
so common things they barely register exactly. I can't imagine
how distracting that must be all the time.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
It can create the state of almost constant sensory assault,
making it incredibly hard to concentrate or even just be
comfortable in ordinary places. And yeah, that feeling of bewilderment,
like how are you not bothered by this? That's very common.
It really shows how differently sensory information can be processed.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Okay, Number eight presents a fascinating contrast, almost a really
strong ability to notice and remember details like a cognitive superpower. Almost.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
It absolutely can be a major strength that ability to
focus intensely on specifics, to spot patterns or tiny errors
others miss to hold on to huge amounts of factual
information that's incredibly valuable in so many fields.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Catalog numbers, dates, license plates, lists of facts. It sounds
like a very detail focused mind analytical, but the point
about it sometimes coming at the expense of the bigger picture.
That's an interesting trade off.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
It often seems to be about where the attentional focus
naturally goes. Neurotypical people might often prioritize the gist, the
main idea, but some autistic individuals have this natural tendency
to zoom in on the granular details, which can lead
to amazing expertise in specific vigarious absolutely, but maybe sometimes
makes it harder to see the forest for the trees,
you know. To synthesize everything into a broader understanding.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Number nine really hits at the heart of potential communication bumps.
Understanding language very literally.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
Hmmm, yeah, this is a big one.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
I can only imagine how confusing it must be. Trying
to navigate a world full of sarcasm, jokes, metaphors, figures
of speech.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Hmm.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
If your brain is primarily wired for the direct meaning
of words.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
The ambiguity the implied meanings, it can be a constant
source of confusion. Joke's based on wordplay, sarcasm where you
say the opposite of what you mean, metaphors, idioms, They
can all feel like someone's deliberately trying to be confusing
when a straight statement would be so much clearer.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
So things like implications or rhetorical questions where you're not
actually expecting an answer, If you're always looking for the
direct meaning, those must be really misleading.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
They can be. Yeah, and politeness too.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
People often don't say exactly what they mean right, soften
it imply things from a purely literal standpoint that can
seem illogical.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Why not just say the thing?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
It's not usually about not understanding politeness exists, but more
about a different expectation of how language should work clearly
and directly.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
That makes sense, Okay. Finally, Number ten a strong dislike,
maybe even hatred of changes in routine. Now, I think
we all get a bit thrown off when plans change.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Sure, nobody loves unexpected disruption, But this.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Sounds like it goes deeper, like it can have a
much more profound effect.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
For some people, routine can be incredibly important.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
It provides structure, predictability, a sense of security, maybe even
a feeling of control in a world that can often
feel quite unpredictable or overwhelming.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
For individuals on the spectrum where maybe sensory input feels
chaotic or social rules feel confusing, those established patterns can
be really grounding, really comforting, emotionally significant.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
So rigid schedules, needing plans, weigh in advance, knowing exactly
what's coming, and even in childhood preferring really structured, maybe
repetitive play. It paints a picture of needing that order
and consistency, and the distress when routines get broken. It
sounds like more than just being annoyed. It sounds genuinely upsetting.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
It can trigger significant anxiety. Yeah, yeah, real distress, sometimes
even overwhelm because those routines often act like a scaffolding
helping manage everything else sensory input, social demands, daily tasks. Right,
take away that structure unexpectedly, and it can feel like
the floors dropped out that loss of predictability can be
really hard to handle.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
So we've walked through these ten potential signs difficulty with emotions, groups, friendships,
unique speech turn taking, small talk, sound sensitivity, detail focus,
literal language, and hating routine changes.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Yeah, quite a range, and it's so vital to say again,
these are common observations, things that might suggest exploring further,
but they are absolutely a definitive checklist for autism.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
No, definitely not. Many of these things can show up
in different people for different reasons.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Exactly, and the spectrum itself is just so broad. One
autistic person's experience can be completely different from another's. What
resonates deeply.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
For one might mean nothing to someone else on the spectrum. Yeah,
got it.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
It's really about seeing common patterns, understanding different ways of
being in the world, and hopefully building a bit more
empathy and awareness around eurodiversity.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
So thinking about all this, maybe reflecting on these points,
what aspects kind of ping for you in your own
experiences or maybe seeing others, and maybe what other questions
does it raise? What else might you want to understand
about neurodiversity. Now, it's such a huge and fascinating area.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
It really is.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
And just one last but really crucial reminder from us.
If anything we've discussed today has raised personal questions or
concerns for you or someone you know, please do talk
to qualified healthcare professionals.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
H Absolutely, they're the experts who can offer proper assessment,
guidance and the rights support
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Couldn't agree more essential
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