I have read that Dyspraxics can be highly empathetic, this is true for me, so much so my career has been in mental health as a counsellor. I have wondered that in a one to one situation with no distractions it might be easier but though I seem to pick up on people's emotions very easily I can often miss reading someone's face or pick up on social cues. I'm finding it quite upsetting as someone may tell me something that is important and it's like it doesn't compute and they can get very upset with me and at that point I pick up on all their upset, and I feel awful about it. It makes me feel really awkward in social situations and I find keeping friends quite difficult.
I'm finding dyspraxia very confusing, how some things in our brains are off the scale and others can barely register. Hope this makes sense, I just don't get it.
I do find/feel I have an enhanced empathy and feel I have a real sense of other peoples' pain and angst. It can be both a blessing and a curse and I do misread situations and overly worry very often to my own detriment.
That said my empathy can rapidly wither or be non existent in some situations/with some people. I think the difficulty can equally be other peoples incompatible empathy levels butting against mine in a regrettable imbalance.
We humans including those of us who are of the Dyspraxic /Neurodivergent kind are often unavoidably contradictory. I think we Dyspraxics also tend to be frustrated perfectionists. It can often be a difficult coping strategy to reconcile with an equally chaotic world outside our own. Well that is my hypothesis at least.
Tom
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
I really relate to this. I also work in a caring profession and am very sensitive to peoples feelings but at the same time find it very hard to read peoples expressions. I find it so frustrating!
I work in customer service at an airport before Covid put a hold on it. I saw many a distressed or upset people sitting down waiting to be picked up by loved ones, family etc. I would sometimes go over and have a chat with an individual and try put them at ease. I could see they were very upset or in need of a distraction. If only I could do that at home with my partner but it seems like a brick or glass wall is in front of her and I can't read her at the best of times. I feel so embarrassed and inadequate to respond. Puts so much strain on our relationship.
As Dyspraxics we often seem to have an extra dollop of empathy but sometimes getting the appropriate response out is noot so blooming easy. Communication with Neurotypical and even other Neurodivergent folk can be one of those areas where our words fail us especially where situations are more emotionally charged. It can be all to easy for one or the other to become impatient and for things to go downhill. I guess the simplest approach is to ask but often we're afraid of the answer/response we think we'll get.
Tom
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
I have read that Dyspraxics can be highly empathetic, this is true for me, so much so my career has been in mental health as a counsellor. I have wondered that in a one to one situation with no distractions it might be easier but though I seem to pick up on people's emotions very easily I can often miss reading someone's face or pick up on social cues. I'm finding it quite upsetting as someone may tell me something that is important and it's like it doesn't compute and they can get very upset with me and at that point I pick up on all their upset, and I feel awful about it. It makes me feel really awkward in social situations and I find keeping friends quite difficult.
I'm finding dyspraxia very confusing, how some things in our brains are off the scale and others can barely register. Hope this makes sense, I just don't get it.
Do you have ASD traits or ASD , it might be a trait of ASD or ASD traits which can coexist with dyspraxia ?
It's something I'm curious about, there are overlapping traits with ASD and dyspraxia but I would be interested to find out if there is more to it. I've been in touch with an Autism organisation in Scotland to get more information.
