We need to slow things down!

One of the major difficulties autistic adults have in their conversations with others is the speed at which information flows in both directions. People with autism process information more slowly as they try to consciously compute so many things happening during an interaction that people without autism can take for granted and do with ease.

When the conversation is flowing only one way i.e., an autistic adult delivering or presenting information, they are already familiar with the content as it's been well rehearsed and can speak confidently to even hundreds of others simultaneously, this can happen with ease. The disability seems to somehow go away and it often leaves people seemingly confused at the contradiction.

Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate change activist, is one high profile example where her ability to circumnavigate the social world of avoiding one on one uncontrolled interviews is actually very deliberate and controlled. The exhaustion and anxiety that comes from having to answer others' questions, in real time, potentially with interjections from journalists and interviewers is likely avoided at all costs.

Using the telephone for example, can also be a major drama. Here people tend to speak fast, their are no social cues such as body language and facial expressions for someone with autism to work from, and it puts most people on the spot even without having autism. Having to think very quickly on our feet with little of no time or patience from the person on the other end of the line is very challenging.

Autism is often mistaken for shyness or lack of confidence. However, this is not the case. It typically gets no easier with practice or therapy, and often making or taking calls and having uncontrolled conversations are feared or avoided where possible.

Learning better strategies of preparation and enabling the conversation to go slower however e.g., making needs known, calling at a time conducive to receiving tolerance and patience from the other, and having everything possible at hand to enable the conversation to go as smoothly as possible can ease the burden of having to have a potentially challenging dialogue with someone.

Supporting an autistic adult? Want to get more support with supporting your autistic adult and learn ways to manage your own health and well-being to manage stress and strain? Join our new?Facebook Support Group: Living with Autistic Adults

Host of?Living with Autistic Adults; a support group for family/partners of adults on the autistic spectrum to enhance coping skills and resilience for improving quality of life, health and well-being.