How Does Autism Affect Interpreting Other People’s Nonverbal Cues? 

Autism and interpreting nonverbal cues often present challenges, as individuals on the autism spectrum may struggle to read body language, facial expressions, and other nonverbal forms of communication. Understanding these cues is vital for social interactions, but for many with autism, body communication can be difficult to interpret. This difficulty in recognising social signals can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations in daily interactions. 

In autism and interpreting nonverbal cues, individuals may not pick up on subtle gestures, changes in stance, or shifts in movement that convey emotions or intentions. For example, someone with autism might not recognise that someone’s crossed arms indicate defensiveness or that eye contact is a sign of attentiveness. These challenges can hinder social connection and create communication challenges, especially in unfamiliar or complex social settings. 

Common Ways Autism Affects Interpreting Nonverbal Cues 

Understanding nonverbal signals can be uniquely challenging in autism, often altering how emotions and intentions are perceived. 

Difficulty with Facial Expressions  

People with autism often find it hard to interpret facial expressions, which are key to understanding emotions. A smile may be misinterpreted, or a frown might not be recognised as a sign of distress. Social skills training and therapies can help individuals learn to better understand and respond to body communication and facial expressions. 

Misreading Gestures or Stance  

Autistic individuals may have trouble interpreting gestures, such as waving or pointing, or recognising how someone’s stance reflects their mood or intent. This can lead to social misunderstandings. Therapies like Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) can help improve the recognition of nonverbal cues and social signals. 

Visit providers like Autism Detect for personal consultations to learn more about autism and interpreting nonverbal cues, and how therapies can support social communication. 

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Nonverbal Communication Differences.

Hannah Smith, MSc

Author

Hannah Smith is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and over three years of experience in behaviour therapy, special education, and inclusive practices. She specialises in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and inclusive education strategies. Hannah has worked extensively with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities, delivering evidence-based interventions to support development, mental health, and well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.