Signs of autism could be encoded in the way you walk
Personal experiences with gait and autism
- Many commenters self-report “odd gaits”: toe‑walking, flat-footed/shallow stepping, very fast walking, very quiet “stealth” walking, in‑toeing/out‑toeing, minimal or asymmetric arm swing (“T‑rex arm”).
- Several recall teachers or adults flagging toe‑walking or asymmetric crawling decades ago; some link it to later autism diagnoses, others to tendon issues or surgery.
- Some describe learning to consciously “correct” their gait after ridicule or military training, but defaulting back when not paying attention.
- A few tie gait differences to sensory issues (dislike of noise from footsteps, hyper-awareness of surroundings) or hypermobility/Ehlers–Danlos.
Biomechanics, footwear, and culture
- Long subthread distinguishing:
- Toe‑walking (heel never contacts ground) vs.
- Forefoot/midfoot striking (landing on ball/flat foot when running).
- Debate over whether forefoot striking is “natural” in barefoot cultures; others warn of injury on hard, modern surfaces and emphasize cushioned or well-fitted shoes.
- Some note sports training (soccer, tennis, sprinting, dance) encourages weight on the balls of the feet and might alter everyday gait.
- Others point out longstanding cultural/racial stereotypes around gait (e.g., Native Americans, regional mannerisms) and caution against reviving this under a medical label.
Diagnostic value, over/under-diagnosis, and labels
- Several stress that gait is already in the DSM only as a supporting feature, not a standalone diagnostic tool; at best it’s a hint or research clue.
- Big disagreement over whether autism/ADHD are under‑diagnosed (especially in women and adults) or over‑diagnosed (especially in the US, with quick consults and medication).
- Some say diagnosis is life‑changing and reduces lifelong confusion and self‑blame; others fear pathologizing mild differences, label‑seeking, and “cool” social‑media autism.
- Commenters note autism’s umbrella nature and heterogeneity; any gait‑based generalization will miss large groups.
Stigma, surveillance, and “normality”
- Multiple reports of bullying or disgust toward “funny walks”; some argue humans are wired to dislike deviation but can learn tolerance.
- Worries about gait analysis being folded into AI surveillance or autism registries, and historical echoes of phrenology and eugenics.
- Several argue that much suffering comes from rigid social expectations (“thrives in American high school”) rather than from gait or autism per se; others counter that high‑support‑needs autistic people struggle regardless of societal tolerance.