I am almost through the exercises and worksheets in “Unmasking Autism”.
Now we have come to communication needs. This is a topic of certain
friction in our household, actually.
- I tend to disconnect from the outside world if I am engaged. I might be
sitting right there, but wont hear a thing unless you very nearly throw a
book at me. Conversely, if I am engaged and I get interrupted, I try to
re-engage – and get super frustrated if people still talk at me. Respect the
flow state!
- I expect plans to be set rather specifically, and of course to be followed as
expected. And of course if plans change, that is fine, so far as changes re
communicated clearly and in good time.
- I resent the phrase would you like to/gider du when it is actually not a
question about my preference, but a request for help. I don’t often would
like to herd cats, but if someone asks for help herding cats, I might not mind.
There is a certain degree of ingrained social nicety here though – I often
find myself falling into the same linguistic dark patterns.
- I like clear progress and success markers (see also my fitness interest.)
Relatedly, I resent busywork, with none of these markers.
- I do not have issues reading rooms or decoding emotions. I have been very
bluntly hit upon and been completely clueless, though.
- If at all possible, I prefer written communication. I would much rather write
an email than make a phone call. Emails can be referred to later, with no
competing recollections.