Tag: social script
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The Performance of Being ‘Normal’
Autism, Masking, and the Weight of Expectations Autistic people often grow up learning to perform a version of themselves the world finds more acceptable. We’re taught to make eye contact, to mirror social cues, to keep our hands still and our voices even. These aren’t always bad lessons—in fact, learning social tools can be empowering.… Read more
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Autism and the Awkward Art of “How Are You?”
Have you ever walked into a room, someone smiled and said, “Hey! How are you?” and you froze—not because you don’t know how you are, but because you’ve been hurt in this scenario before and are wondering if this time will be any different. For many autistic people, these moments of scripted social interaction—chitchat, pleasantries,… Read more