Autistic people are not without emotion, but the extent to which they express it and the manner in which they do so varies widely. Those in residential care can benefit from support from experts who understand these variations and their emotional needs.
It should not be forgotten that even neurotypical people vary in how emotional they are and how they express it. Autism adds a further layer of variance, not least as those who are low-functioning and those who are high-functioning may express themselves differently.
Moreover, there are many ways in which many autistic people can (or can’t) express emotions:
- Intense emotion can lead to meltdowns or shutdowns
- Some may not be able to produce the facial expressions to express feelings
- Some will struggle to describe feelings
- Some may look disinterested
- Stimming can be a way of expressing strong emotions
What Is Alexithymia?
Many autistic people have a condition called alexithymia, which is a difficulty in expressing emotions. All too often, sufferers are considered to be unemotional when this is not the case at all.
Indeed, sometimes this manifests itself in situations of shutdowns and meltdowns as a result of emotions being felt with extreme intensity.
Faced with very emotional situations, neurotypical people may be able to express their feelings more clearly and not have them build up until the expression of them becomes extreme.
However, while autistic people may struggle to express their emotions, they are also more likely to be empathetic than most. This means that with the right patience and understanding, it can be possible to help them through emotional situations.
In adult care settings where people are trained to do this, autistic residents can get this kind of response, whereas untrained people, however well-meaning, may struggle to provide it.
For adults whose struggles with autism include the difficulty of expressing emotions or major meltdowns, having such help in a care home environment at all times can be extremely helpful, making life much less difficult and stressful for them.