Published on 12, July, 2020
I’ve had problems with using telephones forever, I get anxiety and just struggle with most phone calls. I’m fine with text messages and emails, I still don’t answer them immediately. I understand the difference with being able to plan replies to texts and emails.
My question is a family member just keeps mentioning how I never answer my phone, “why can’t you answer your phone?” It’s something I struggle to explain, I still don’t fully understand.
Is there a really good link or tube video that will explain the reasons why autistic people struggle so much with telephones? It needs to be in very plain language. I’ve tried to explain to the person but normally just shutdown.
Aww Roy, I understand, answering the phone is probably one of the toughest things for me to do.
Our brains are processing so much all the time and a phone call requires a lot of thinking because you have to work out what you're going to say, listen to what's being said and generally you don't have a lot of time to respond.
It's an autistic person's worst nightmare, hence we all usually try to avoid phone calls. x