276
top 16 comments
sorted by: hot top new old
[-] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 42 points 3 weeks ago

It is a learnable skill, not easy, but doable with a healthy dash of hyperfixation. Expressions, micro-expressions, posture, tone etc. You can even end up better at it than a normie. Doesn't make it fun though.

[-] Zedd00@lemmy.dbzer0.com 24 points 3 weeks ago

I read this the other way. I can immediately read the room when I walk in, that's why I don't want to go anywhere.

[-] Kolanaki@pawb.social 18 points 3 weeks ago

It's just extra exhausting.

[-] yakko@feddit.uk 9 points 3 weeks ago

I'm sure there are bomb squad technicians who are happy on the job, but even they would hasten to agree it is work.

[-] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 3 points 3 weeks ago

If you see me running, try to keep up...

[-] Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online 32 points 3 weeks ago

"you can't be autistic, you're so emotionally intelligent!"

[-] lightnsfw@reddthat.com 19 points 3 weeks ago

I can but I don't know how to respond to a lot of it and that's what makes it stressful.

[-] novibe@lemmy.ml 18 points 3 weeks ago

Yes and no. I don’t “read the room” in a way I can rationally understand why I don’t like a place or a group’s “vibes”.

But I feel physically ill in some places, around some people. Like I get a low-level anxiety attack and feel nauseous and weird.

[-] lechekaflan@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Cousin with a spectrum said to me he quits a place as soon as he detects bigotry by the way how other people respond to him. Or why he loves his friends more than his family.

[-] aarRJaay@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

I generally can't.... Which I why I avoid doing places

[-] irotsoma@piefed.blahaj.zone 4 points 3 weeks ago

I'm good at picking up on a person's general trustworthiness almost immediately after I watch them talk to someone they're comfortable talking to. That's about the only skill I have in that area of things, so if it's a room of people who aren't strangers conversing, then yeah, usually I can pick up on the people to avoid as well as if everyone is to be avoided, lol.

[-] chuckleslord@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

Wisdom is my dump stat, so no. I just get overwhelmed in the trying.

[-] disregardable@lemmy.zip 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

It really depends on the other person. Some people are just more intentional about showing their hostility than others. When I'm around people who are really well practiced in being kind to weirdos, I can believe they actually like me even though they hate me.

[-] Evil_Shrubbery 3 points 3 weeks ago

'I won't be attending this meeting you are about to have because it could have been an email sent by me summarising the whole meeting before it happens.'

[-] uzziah0@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

I think I do this, but only because I didn't know I was autistic, and just had to. Mostly, I find someone I know and stick with them.

[-] BaraCoded@literature.cafe 1 points 3 weeks ago

Yes, along with the Cassandre Effect it brings up when you can read a room/situation so well you can predict its outcome while being believed by nobody. I also have absolute pitch and can know from micro-tonal variations in a person's voice if they are lying to me.

This particular trait has made being in a couple particularly hard.

Now I'm hikikomori and my social life is less stressful.

this post was submitted on 04 Feb 2026
276 points (98.3% liked)

Autism

9607 readers
824 users here now

A community for respectful discussion and memes related to autism acceptance. All neurotypes are welcome.

Community:

Values

  • Acceptance
  • Openness
  • Understanding
  • Equality
  • Reciprocity
  • Mutuality
  • Love

Rules

  1. No abusive, derogatory, or offensive post/comments e.g: racism, sexism, religious hatred, homophobia, gatekeeping, trolling.
  2. Posts do not need be related to autism, off-topic discussions are allowed. This is a safe space where people with autism can feel comfortable discussing whatever they feel like discussing, as long as it does not violate the standing rules.
  3. Your posts must include a text body. It doesn't have to be long, it just needs to be descriptive.
  4. Do not request donations.
  5. Be respectful in discussions.
  6. Do not post misinformation.
  7. Mark NSFW content accordingly.
  8. Do not promote Autism Speaks.
  9. General Lemmy World rules.
  10. No bots. Humans only.

Encouraged

  1. Open acceptance of all autism levels as a respectable neurotype.
  2. Funny memes.
  3. Respectful venting.
  4. Describe posts of pictures/memes using text in the body for our visually impaired users.
  5. Welcoming and accepting attitudes.
  6. Questions regarding autism.
  7. Questions on confusing situations.
  8. Seeking and sharing support.
  9. Engagement in our community's values.
  10. Expressing a difference of opinion without directly insulting another user.
  11. Please report questionable posts and let the mods deal with it.

.

Helpful Resources

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS