Read on Twitter
People seem to think autistic people not doing phonecalls is always due to anxiety.
Yes, anxiety is ONE possible reason - but there are others!
Autistics might also be:
- unable to understand what people say
- unable to figure out when to talk
- unable to process fast enough
Yes, anxiety is ONE possible reason - but there are others!
Autistics might also be:
- unable to understand what people say
- unable to figure out when to talk
- unable to process fast enough
Auditory processing difficulties are common among autistics.
Some struggle understanding what people are saying face to face.
Filtering voice through technology [e.g. phone, TV, speakers] can make it harder/impossible.
This is NOT a hearing problem, but a neurological problem.
Some struggle understanding what people are saying face to face.
Filtering voice through technology [e.g. phone, TV, speakers] can make it harder/impossible.
This is NOT a hearing problem, but a neurological problem.
Many autistics struggle knowing when it is their turn to speak.
This can be due to being unable to read non-verbal communication clues.
It can also be due to struggling with sensing how much time has passed.
Both can lead to autistics interrupting others - or not responding.
This can be due to being unable to read non-verbal communication clues.
It can also be due to struggling with sensing how much time has passed.
Both can lead to autistics interrupting others - or not responding.
Many autistics struggle with processing information.
Lots of us need more time for listening, processing, and responding, than non-autistics.
We may also need supports to process information.
This can affect all communication.
For some, phonecalls can be especially difficult.
Lots of us need more time for listening, processing, and responding, than non-autistics.
We may also need supports to process information.
This can affect all communication.
For some, phonecalls can be especially difficult.
Phonecalls can be hard due to:
- anxiety
[e.g. unexpected calls]
- auditory processing
[e.g. understanding voice, background noise]
- response timing
- information processing
[e.g. no time to process]
Please accommodate people, and/or find alternative ways to communicate!
- anxiety
[e.g. unexpected calls]
- auditory processing
[e.g. understanding voice, background noise]
- response timing
- information processing
[e.g. no time to process]
Please accommodate people, and/or find alternative ways to communicate!
During phonecalls:
- speak slowly & clearly
- ask if you were understood, repeat as needed
- give people time to process & respond
- verbalize when done talking & waiting for response
- verbalize when the call is finished
[For some, phonecalls are impossible. Use alternatives!]
- speak slowly & clearly
- ask if you were understood, repeat as needed
- give people time to process & respond
- verbalize when done talking & waiting for response
- verbalize when the call is finished
[For some, phonecalls are impossible. Use alternatives!]
For autistics specifically it can help to:
- make a checklist of things you want to say/ask and have it next to you during the call
- create and use scripts instead of making up what to say during the call
- use technology instead of your oral voice
- practice before the call
- make a checklist of things you want to say/ask and have it next to you during the call
- create and use scripts instead of making up what to say during the call
- use technology instead of your oral voice
- practice before the call
There is ALWAYS a viable alternative to phonecalls today.
Though sadly phonecalls are still required in many circumstances, this violates autistic people‘s right to accessibility.
Let‘s work towards an accessible society.
Though sadly phonecalls are still required in many circumstances, this violates autistic people‘s right to accessibility.
Let‘s work towards an accessible society.
On a personal note:
I am incredibly tired of being dependent on other people to make phonecalls for me, simply because there is no alternative communication offered.
I would be able to handle a lot of my business on my own, or with minimal help, if phonecalls weren‘t required.
I am incredibly tired of being dependent on other people to make phonecalls for me, simply because there is no alternative communication offered.
I would be able to handle a lot of my business on my own, or with minimal help, if phonecalls weren‘t required.
