*laughs in audhd*
Recently I was told to “stand at ease” so I seem less like a creation of artificial intelligence. That’s funny because, I’m pretty sure my mannerisms and the way I verbally communicate are very similar to a robot that has “learned” its mannerisms by being fed video after video of humans moving and talking.
I believe if this robot and a real human stood side by side, the robot would move *close* to how the human does, but humans would be able to spot the subtle differences and thus know which is a robot and which is human. That’s comparative to what I believe people perceive when they watch my videos and point out ways I could act more “naturally.”
I talk about this a lot on here in hopes that it snowballs into a larger advocacy than I have at 600ish followers, but I’m on the spectrum. Not only does being on the spectrum cause one to have dissimilar mannerisms and manners of verbalizing than neurotypicals, but it often comes along with a flawed vestibular system: the mechanism that keeps us in balance.
This came as no surprise to me when I read about it. I’ve been notoriously clumsy my whole life. I drop at least two or three things a day. I had a year where I rolled my ankle *three* times. I’ve nearly fallen flat on my face in asphalt laden parking lots.
And a recent revelation that made everything come together: a lot of autistics “toe walk.”
I’ve had it called out so many times… “Why are you walking on your toes?,” an onlooker asks. I had no idea until yesterday when I thought about how I walk on my tippy toes and wondered, “Could it be??” and Googled it. It absolutely is. Because of this flawed vestibular system, a lot of those on the spectrum compensate by walking on their toes.
I believe the way I move my hands is as a result of this as well. What better way to keep your balance than to anchor yourself with two hands?! It makes sense, but I wish people would stop suggesting that I try to change all these things. That would require overhauling my vestibular system and, well, I think humanity’s far away from that technological breakthrough.
And one thing I surmise just from analyzing my pattern of mannerisms and how they align with the way I feel: the way I move and speak is a matter of memory. When my memory is impaired because of certain “substances” or when I’m tired or anxious, moving and talking like a “regular human” is challenging. I need to be in touch with the part of my brain that holds masking techniques and I’m certain it’s a part of the brain that relies on sheer learning rather than something that’s built in.
Does that make sense? I hope it does.
Individuals on the autism spectrum often navigate unique challenges that affect how they interact with their environment and others. One area of interest is the vestibular system, which plays a critical role in balance and coordination. Notably, many autistic individuals exhibit distinct movement patterns, such as toe walking, which can be linked to vestibular dysfunction. This walking style isn't merely a quirky habit; it serves as an adaptive strategy to maintain balance and control. Additionally, the movements and gestures used by autistic individuals can sometimes be misinterpreted as robotic or unnatural by others, leading to misunderstandings. These behaviors often stem from a combination of sensory processing differences and life experiences. Autistic individuals might use compensatory movements or rely heavily on memory when engaging in social situations, making it essential for society to foster an inclusive understanding of diverse mannerisms. Enhancing awareness about these traits not only normalizes diverse expressions but also encourages acceptance, paving the way for supportive environments for autistic individuals. Advocacy for neurodiversity is crucial in this process, as society learns to appreciate the richness that varied communication styles bring to human interaction.
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