Autism Spectrum

[Iamtheoneandonly]

Is it normal for individuals with autism to have difficulty with expression emotions, like not being upset by a death of a close friend or relative?

[Iamtheoneandonly]

Anyone experience that?

[jno]

I believe that's true, but you might need to define "difficulty". Those with autism may not see it as a difficulty but just as part of themselves, just as other people see their own emotions.

[retrocop]

I am no expert on this subject but I definitely recall there is/was a member of this site who claimed they suffered from Autism and it seems that they suffered no emotions on death etc.

[Buenchico]

It's certainly normal for me and I'm on the autism spectrum. I've never grieved for any human and I know that I never will. (I might feel a certain sense of loss but I know that it's not 'grief' as others experience it). The loss of a cat though can upset me profoundly.

My best friend is also on the autism spectrum and, going by his reactions when his relatives and friends have died, he seems to be much the same as me in such situations.

[Iamtheoneandonly]

Difficulty as in experience"normal" emotions.
Appreciate your answer Buno, it's also the way I feel, can't help but thinking, 'why am I not upset when something bad happens'? Even when watching tragedies been reported on the news, I don't care, just unfeeling.
I also have a cat and I love her to bits! She hates me, lol.

[roopower]

Yes, perfectly normal although not everyone on the autistic spectrum behaves the same way. I knew of an autistic lad of nine who jumped up and down at his mum's funeral because he thought his dad would marry again and he'd have a brother. My grandson is on the spectrum and he gets upset when someone dies but was really beside himself when his cat died because he wasn't sure the cat knew he loved him. There is nothing normal or abnormal with autism. Expressing emotions is very difficult for a lot of people, autistic or not - personally, I think most people have a degree of autism.

[roopower]

I've never had a diagnosis of autism but went on courses when I worked in schools and we had to do a test for 'fun'. I was deemed to be on the spetrum as I have all my records, CDs and cassettes in alphabetical order ( which makes sense to me as I have a lot of each and can find what I want quickly) also I would much rather be in a small group than a large crowd, which also makes sense to me. I do feel emotions but don't cry easily, just get on with it but I do have trouble talking about my emotions, even to close family. I'm more upset when children or animals are involved.

[douglas9401]

I'm not on any spectrum but find all the hoohah, especially on 'celebrity' death, a bit meh.

Doubtless I'll now have to be analysed and labelled.

[roopower]

Douglas, you won't have to be analised and labelled, I never have been. Just get on with life as you always have done. Everyone is different which is what makes life interesting.

[douglas9401]

Ahem. Analised is a different story altogether. :-)

[roopower]

Douglas, oh lord, I made a bit of a booboo there! Analysed, that's the word, though I was only one letter out!

[Musictv2019]

Yes I have autism but struggle with crying especially when relatives pass away I can't cry

[chanel5]

Yes, a person on the autism spectrum may find emotional expression confusing - not because they don't feel the emotion but because an autistic individual may not be able to show the outwards signs of the emotions they are feeling in a way that others can recognise.

[Prudie]

It may be true of autism, that seems to be used to explain all sorts of behaviours, however people who don't feel emotions or get upset at other's misfortune or death are not all autistic. That is also a classic sign of a psychopath and sociopath.

[jourdain2]

Yes. Autism is such a broad spectrum.

[MissTerious2]

Chanel5 is absolutely correct.