South Middlesex Times

A recent Rutgers study challenges longstanding perceptions about the emotional experiences of autistic individuals. Published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, the research reveals that many autistic adults possess a nuanced understanding of their emotions, contrary to the belief that they have muted or limited emotional responses.

Assistant Professor Aaron Dallman from the Rutgers School of Health Professions led the study. He noted, "What if everything we know about autism is wrong?" He emphasized that instead of problematizing autism, efforts should be made to understand what it’s like to be autistic. "The popular idea that autistic people don’t have rich, emotional lives is simply not true," he added.

Dallman's research involved 24 autistic adults aged 18 to 35 who participated in video conference focus groups. These discussions aimed to capture how these individuals describe their emotions and navigate interactions with others. The sessions were anonymized and analyzed using qualitative research methodologies.

Participants reported that conventional emotion words like “happy” or “sad” fail to capture their complex emotional experiences. Instead, they used dynamic language often linked with physical sensations, especially in the stomach. Additionally, participants highlighted difficulties in “affective contact” with nonautistic people due to misinterpretations of their emotional expressions.

One participant shared an example: “I’ve had people say, like, ‘Wow, you look really happy right now,’ when I’m just kind of chilling out.” This underscores the challenge when neurotypical definitions of emotions are imposed on autistic individuals.

Eye contact and stimming techniques were also discussed. While eye contact signifies social interest for nonautistic people, it can be unpleasant for those with autism. Similarly, repetitive actions used by autistic individuals to regulate emotions are often misunderstood by nonautistic observers.

Dallman suggests these findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies for autism. He advocates for improving mutual understanding rather than changing how autistic people communicate. "We don't have to change everyone," Dallman stated. "But let's think about changing the classroom or caregivers’ attitudes so they understand what messages an autistic individual is communicating and how they express their emotions."

He concluded by urging communities to embrace the unique perspectives and contributions of autistic members.