Body Language of an Autistic

We are told it is as much as 80% of communication. Others say the number is closer to 50%. We are talking about the use of body language in communication. Whatever the truth, for an autistic, the number is considerably lower. For one thing an autistic person generally has trouble physically. Their gait is sometimes awkward, their muscles slow to develop, their eye-hand coordination weak, and their physiological makeup rather behind. It makes for physical challenges that while not debilitating are certainly limiting. And yet that aside, an autistic learner does not have the ability to perceive nor deliver appropriate body language except in an obvious basic level.

If half of our communication and ability to understand others is physical body language, then it stands to reason that an autistic is already at a huge disadvantage in communicating and/or understanding others. Add to this a disadvantage with regard to verbal skills, creativity, and imagination, and it is easy to see how tough it becomes to communicate on any kind of expected level.

If crossing your arms signifies disagreement or wanting to place a barrier between you and the other person, Joel never disagrees or wants barriers. If eye contact signifies confidence or in some cases defiance, then Joel has neither since he has serious trouble making eye contact. His body does not manifest his emotional state. An autistic does not see or read other people's body language and does not act out his own. He physically responds in a pragmatic way to the events of the moment.

Because body language is another kind of expression of imagination or creativity, it makes sense that Joel cannot experience the complexities of such. He is pretty much missing the gene that gives him creativity. Remember that he cannot lie since lying requires imagination, and he cannot fabricate a body language, whether on purpose or by instinct, that matches his mood. This is not to say that he won't do the occasional "hummph" with his eyes closed and arms crossed. We have seen that but find it to be suspiciously like a cartoon.

Body language, unless deliberate, tends to be, at least for most people, subtle and nondescript, a small extension of the circumstances of the moment. When we fear something or are embarrassed, we tend to hide our faces in our hands. When our favorite team scores a touchdown, we throw our arms open in an expression of glee. When we hear something important, we lean forward, or in boredom we begin to look around. These are commonplace reactions that seem innate although perhaps they are learned behaviors as well. None of these actions happen with autistics.

For Joel, he does not have enough complexity of expression to add to his physiology. It is enough for him to understand the event, request, emotion without having to supplement it with enhanced body language. If he does not like the food, he simply will not eat it. If he sees someone he knows, he simply approaches that person with a handshake, hug, or wave. His body language is natural and obvious, containing no deceit, no manipulation, no subtleties. Just plain, honest, simple expression without complexity. This does not mean Joel is devoid of emotion, approaching life entirely objectively, preferring a stoic existence, or a rigid approach in a kind of black and white existence dealing with facts only. No, Joel is very colorful and emotional, but he does not display in the same way we do. Instead he is very cognizant of his differences as per his disability. Therefore he generally appears to be rather cold and lacking in expression.

Please be aware that as autistic children mature, they tend to become less emotive and more protective. This is a form of maturity. Much of it is the often sad awareness that we don't always get everything we want in life. In a way, that is part of the maturation process for everyone.

Time to discuss his awareness level. Next time.