I think about this a lot.

I don& #39;t think it& #39;s that most of us CAN& #39;T pick up on social cues. I think it& #39;s more about what we& #39;re capable of in any given moment.

Like a computer running memory over capacity. Some things slip. https://twitter.com/AutistMakingWay/status/1247681155828047872">https://twitter.com/AutistMak...

Given enough time and space* to think through social stuff, a lot of Autistics are able to understand social cues just fine.

But it& #39;s like... when do we ever get the time and space? And if we never get it, what& #39;s the point?

*this varies significantly

I& #39;m really actually pretty good at figuring out people& #39;s motivations for their behavior but it takes me time.

There are specific social interactions from my past that were mysteries to me for, like, over a decade before I figured them out, too.

I also think Autistic people generally run with a lot more of that metaphorical "memory" active.

Like we& #39;re probably on average processing a lot more than even we consciously realize and it takes a lot more energy than it does non-Autistics.

Like, as an Autistic person I think I& #39;m sort of constantly being bombarded by at least one sensory thing that is off.

And usually more than one.

Also this is why I do not think those diagnostic criteria non-Autistics put together are super helpful.

They look at "weird behaviors" and "being socially off" but they don& #39;t really trace the why or look at it in terms of the person& #39;s internal experiences.

So... yeah. Non-Autistics spot "weird behaviors" but ignore the internal experience that connects them. Which is definitely way more important for helping Autistic people live in this world.