I think about this a lot.

I don't think it's that most of us CAN'T pick up on social cues. I think it's more about what we're capable of in any given moment.

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

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

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

*this varies significantly

I'm really actually pretty good at figuring out people'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'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'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't really trace the why or look at it in terms of the person'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.