“I Don’t Know What That Means” Is a Request for More Information
“I don’t know what that means.” If you hear this from an autistic person, they probably need more information from you in order to understand what you’re telling them.
Category: Better Communication
“You Know What You Did” Is Emotional Blackmail to an Autistic Person (And Anyone, Really)
“You know what you did.” No, your autistic friend or family member does NOT know what they did, and the only thing you’re doing by saying that is traumatizing them. Here’s how to communicate with an autistic person more effectively.
We Honestly Think You’re Messing With Our Heads
Why does my autistic loved one think I’m lying to them when I explain my emotions? We literally think you’re messing with our heads.
“You Are So Defensive!!”
Why is my autistic loved one so defensive all the time? Why can’t they just apologize? Because we don’t know what we’re apologizing for!
Is Dating While Masking Lying to a Potential Partner?
Is masking while dating lying to a potential romantic partner?
How to Get the Autistic Person in Your Life to Understand What You Need
Why doesn’t my autistic loved one understand what I need? How do I communicate my needs effectively with my autistic loved one?
The “Communication Without Empathy” Myth That Needs to Disappear Into a Black Hole
Do autistic people really “communicate without empathy”? No. This is a common misconception that is very dangerous to the autistic community.
We Don’t Know What Our Faces Are Doing
A “blank” or impassive facial expression on an autistic person can be disconcerting if you don’t understand what’s happening. We often don’t know what our faces are doing, and there is no insult or threat aimed at you.
The Trouble With “Common Sense”
Why doesn’t my autistic loved one have common sense? The answer might surprise you!
We Will Say We Understand Even When We Don’t
Most autistic people don’t like to lie…and we aren’t good at it. However, because of abuse and mistreatment, we MAY say we understand you when we don’t.