Language & Communication

Ever been told you're "bad at communication"?

Here's the twist: autistic people communicate just fine—with each other.

"When I'm with other autistic people, we understand each other instantly. The 'communication problem' only happens with neurotypical people." — Autistic adult

The Double Empathy Problem

Old story: "Autistic people have social deficits."

New story: Communication breakdowns go BOTH ways. Neither side is "deficient"—they're just different. You're a minority neurotype—like being a French speaker in a room full of English speakers.

How Autistic Communication Works

Directness: You say what you mean.

Precision: Words matter. You choose them carefully.

Honesty: Less social performance, more truth-telling.

Literalness: See Literal Thinking.

These are STRENGTHS in the right contexts: technical writing, programming, research.

What Makes It Hard

The neurotypical stuff you didn't get the manual for: subtext, small talk, body language, "reading the room."

Speaking vs. Non-Speaking

Some autistic people don't use spoken language, or use it inconsistently.

Not speaking ≠ not thinking. Many non-speaking autistic people communicate brilliantly through writing, typing, AAC devices, or sign language.

Making It Work

What helps you: Processing time, written options, scripts for common situations.

What to ask from others: Say what you mean. Give time to process. Don't interpret directness as rudeness.

When you find your people—communication stops being a battle.