This is one of a series of discussion posts based on questions from the AQ-10 autism test.

3. I find it easy to “read between the lines” when someone is talking to me.

  • Definitely Agree
  • Slightly Agree
  • Slightly Disagree
  • Definitely Disagree

Is this statement true for you? Can you think of any examples? Is it an easy or difficult question for you to answer?

You can take the full AQ-10 test here. Note this test is intended as a quick screener, and cannot diagnose or rule out any condition on its own.

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  • octoperson@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
    8·
    8 个月前

    So, gosh.

    Does anyone find it easy to read between the lines? I’ve met people that think they do, but they’re wrong. People who can spot lies, people who can read energies, people who know what you really meant, people who are just saying what everyone was thinking. They’re always wrong and they’ll never believe they were wrong. The only correct answer for anyone honest with themselves is Definitely Disagree.

    Here’s some things I know about intuiting unstated messages (“reading between the lines”).

    • people are communicating for a reason, and that reason is part of the intended message. It may be just talking for politeness or to pass the time, or it may be they want you to do something or understand something related to what they’re talking about
    • the demeanor is part of the message. Do they seem happy, sad, angry, excited?
    • sometimes, something being left unsaid is part of the message. If they say you should meet, but don’t suggest a time or place, maybe they don’t really intend to meet
    • ladytaters@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      8 个月前

      I’ve tried to read between the lines when communicating with people and end up either confused or reading things that aren’t there (they’re angry/frustrated when they’re not, etc). My team at work has gotten used to me asking clarifying questions and having me say “that’s good but I need to understand x”.

  • I'm back on my BS 🤪@lemmy.worldMEnglish
    7·
    8 个月前

    I just took the AQ-10, and it says I’m am definitely allistic. I have been cured using the unsolicited allistic and altruistic advice of trying harder and not faking it anymore as an excuse. Thank you to everyone that told me why I was being autistic. I hope everyone here can find the strength to try harder and not fake it anymore as an excuse so that you could be normal and responsible for the emotions of the people that found your authenticity threatening or insulting. /s

    jk, I scored an 8, so still pretty me 🤪

  • Deestan@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    8 个月前

    No, but I practice and I am getting better.

    It used to take me years to realize someone was trying to say something else than what they were actually saying. These days I often figure it out a mere hour after the conversation happened.

    • octoperson@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      4·
      8 个月前

      This “asking questions challenges my authority” crap can go die in a fire. Am I asking why you’re the boss? Then maybe I’d be challenging your authority. Until then I’m asking questions because it would be helpful for me to know the answers.

      Anyway, it sounds like you’re not safe in that environment. I’m sure you already know that, and I don’t know what options you have in your situation, but you’ll work something out.

      • Deestan@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        8 个月前

        This weird attitude towards questions has puzzled me most of my life. People holding work presentations going “save your questions until the end” and being upset at people asking for completely necessary clarification in order to follow their presentation.

        And people who ask USELESS questions at the end, which serves no other purpose than showing the audience that they too are very smart.

        It’s just a social positioning ceremony for some people.

  • Ænðr@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    2·
    8 个月前

    I took that AQ-10 test, and also pondered this particular question. No, I suck at reading between the lines. Give it to me straight, please. No beating around no bush.

    Figures of speech pose an equal problem: I may just lack the cultural awareness that allistic people enjoy, but it’s rare for me to understand a common phrase, and more often than not I’ll invent a completely new one.

    Reading between lines: do allistic people do that? How? Is it some skill I can learn?

      • Ænðr@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
        1·
        8 个月前

        Indeed. I’m not totally oblivious. Luckily I have learned a few phrases and figures of speech. But it seems I had a way harder time learning those than my school mates who weren’t on the spectrum.