15 Autism Quirks that might be seen from Time to Time (And Why They’re Pretty Great)
Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Life on the autism spectrum brings about some uniquely delightful quirks that others might not fully understand, yet each one adds its own twist to personality and perspective.
Here’s a deeper dive into some common quirks that often bring smiles, curiosity, and insight.
Along with these observations, I’ll share relevant research that sheds light on each unique trait. Let’s dive in!
1. Avoiding the “Favorite Things” Question (Please, No!)
Many autistic folks experience heightened anxiety when asked about their "favorite" things.
Social psychologist Barbara Frederickson’s studies on positivity show that forced emotional labeling, like stating a favorite, can actually reduce rather than enhance positive feelings, as it creates unnecessary pressure to conform to expectations (Frederickson, 2004).
2. Keenly Aware of How They’re Perceived (Is Everyone Watching?)
Self-awareness, especially in social contexts, can be a double-edged sword.
The phenomenon of the “double empathy problem,” proposed by Milton and Sims, illustrates that autistic folks often feel socially conscious and may perceive non-autistic people as analyzing them more critically than is intended (Milton & Sims, 2016).
This hyperawareness of social perception can lead to a cycle of anxiety and self-monitoring in autistic souls.
3. The Need for Specific Examples (They’re Taking You Literally)
Literal interpretation is a common cognitive style among those on the spectrum, often a result of differences in processing language.
Studies show that autistic humans process language more concretely and may require specific examples to avoid misunderstandings, as found by Happé’s research on autism and figurative language (Happé, 1993).
4. Thumb Holes in Clothing (Because, it’s Stimming!)
Stimming, which includes actions like thumb holes in clothing, serves as a self-regulatory tool for managing sensory overload.
Research by Kapp et al. (2019) emphasizes that stimming is often misunderstood and pathologized, yet it plays a crucial role in helping autistic folks self-soothe, providing a release in overstimulating environments.
5. Standing There Awkwardly (It’s an Art Form)
The art of standing off to the side, observing a group conversation, is a natural way for autistic humans to process social cues without diving into immediate interactions. This behavior aligns with studies showing that autistic people may engage more meaningfully once they feel comfortable, rather than engaging automatically (Begeer et al., 2009).
6. Asking Loads of Questions (Because Clarity and Context are Essential!)
Autistic souls may ask many questions to gain clarity, especially in uncertain situations.
According to research by Lawson et al. (2004), this is a strategy for managing anxiety by reducing ambiguity. Autistic folks may seek out details to fully understand situations, often leading to a richer comprehension of context.
7. Intense Skepticism (They’ll Ask Why – A Lot)
Skepticism isn’t just part of curiosity; for autistic souls, it’s a way of understanding the world independently.
Silverman (2008) found that autistic folks often prefer to rely on their own observations rather than take information at face value, which can appear as skepticism but is rooted in a desire for accuracy and autonomy.
8. Hyperfocus and Bouts of Fatigue (The Productivity Roller Coaster)
Hyperfocus – periods of intense concentration – is common among autistic folks and is often followed by significant fatigue.
Russell et al. (2019) describe how hyperfocus, while productive, can lead to overstimulation and exhaustion, contributing to uneven productivity and necessitating recovery time.
9. Waiting to Share Thoughts Until Others Do (Let’s Test the Waters)
Autistic souls often wait to share their thoughts until they’ve assessed the tone and direction of a conversation.
This behavior is linked to a desire for social accuracy, as noted by Cage et al. (2018), where autistic folks prioritize understanding over instant participation.
10. Avoiding Wet or Sticky Hands (Thank You Very Much)
A heightened sensitivity to wet or sticky sensations is common among autistic folks, as these textures can trigger sensory discomfort. Wiggins et al. (2009) found that unusual sensory sensitivities are often part of sensory processing differences, which makes tasks like washing or sticky textures uncomfortable.
11. Lighting Preferences (Not All Light is Created Equal)
Autistic souls may have specific lighting preferences, as they’re often highly sensitive to brightness and flickering.
This aligns with findings from the National Autistic Society, which reports that lighting can be distressing or even painful for some folks, as they process visual input differently (National Autistic Society, 2018).
12. Overwhelmed by the Pain Scale (Doctor Visits Get Sorta Complicated)
Difficulty with pain scales can stem from sensory differences, making pain harder to quantify.
Studies by Jenkinson et al. (2015) reveal that the experience of pain is often more intense or more abstract for autistic folks, making standard pain scales challenging and sometimes ineffective.
13. Understanding Expectations (Please, Just Be Clear!)
Clear instructions provide predictability, which can alleviate anxiety for autistic humans. Spencer et al. (2016) found that some autistic souls often perform best when given explicit, structured expectations, as vague instructions can lead to stress and cognitive overload.
14. Covert Stimming (Keeping It on the Down Low)
Some autistic people engage in subtle stims, which can help them self-regulate without drawing attention.
Research by Kapp et al. (2019) suggests that stimming is not always overt; it can also be covert and serve as a grounding tool during social interactions.
15. Odd Reactions to Physical Sensations (A Sticky Situation)
Sensory sensitivity often leads autistic souls to avoid sticky or wet substances. Bagby et al. (2012) identified that texture aversion is a common characteristic of autism, as certain sensations can feel overwhelming and distract from other activities.
Each of these quirks adds unique perspectives and personality traits to those on the spectrum, highlighting their creativity, insight, and resilience.
Embracing and validating these quirks can foster understanding and appreciation for the diversity that autism brings to our world.
Be Well, stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Bagby, M. S., Dickie, V. A., & Baranek, G. T. (2012). Sensory Experiences and Sensory Processing in Relation to Occupational Performance in Children with Autism. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(3), 353-361.
Begeer, S., Rieffe, C., Terwogt, M. M., & Stockmann, L. (2009). Attention to Social and Non-Social Situations by Children with Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(1), 23-30.
Cage, E., Bird, G., & Pellicano, E. (2018). Experiences of Autism Acceptance and Mental Health in Autistic Adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(3), 473-484.
Frederickson, B. L. (2004). The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 359(1449), 1367-1377.
Happé, F. G. E. (1993). Communicative Competence and Theory of Mind in Autism: A Test of Relevance Theory. Cognition, 48(2), 101-119.
Jenkinson, J., Owen, A., & Wright, J. (2015). Navigating Medical Appointments for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(5), 1727-1736.
Kapp, S. K., Steward, R., Crane, L., Elliott, D., Elphick, C., Pellicano, E., & Russell, G. (2019). "People Should Be Allowed to Do What They Like": Autistic Adults’ Views and Experiences of Stimming. Autism, 23(7), 1782-1792.
Lawson, W. E., Baron-Cohen, S., & Wheelwright, S. (2004). Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(1), 39-48.
Milton, D., & Sims, T. (2016). How is a Sense of Social Connection Maintained by Autistic People? The ‘Double Empathy Problem’ and the Importance of Peer Support Networks. Autism, 20(2), 146-157.
National Autistic Society. (2018). Sensory Differences and Autism. Retrieved from https://www.autism.org.uk/
Russell, G., Mandy, W., Elliott, C., & Pellicano, E. (2019). Patterns of Engagement in Autistic Children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(6), 2410-2423.
Silverman, C. (2008). Fieldwork on Another Planet: Social Science Perspectives on the Autism Spectrum. BioSocieties, 3(3), 325-341.
Spencer, M., Foster, E. M., & Bowler, D. M. (2016). Memory in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Meta-Analytic Review. Psychological Bulletin, 142(10), 1215-1248.
Wiggins, L. D., Robins, D. L., & Bakeman, R. (2009). The Utility of the Social Communication Questionnaire in Screening for Autism in Toddlers. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(2), 347-355.