Communication with Others

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I noticed that when I communicate with NTs, I have a hard time understanding them because I tend to look at only the words instead of the context and emotion that they may be trying to evoke or, worse, over analyzing.
However, when I talk to someone who is hard of hearing or deaf, I communicate much better because I have to focus on the signs as well as the way the mouth is moving to fully understand what they are trying to tell me.
Is anyone else like this?

That's pretty much how it is for most of us.

Yay! I'm glad I'm not alone here. I always thought I was weird, because my parents kept telling me that I should make eye contact with people because that gives away so much. In reality, it doesn't. I noticed that just watching the jawline is enough to have a semi-accurate idea of what someone wants, and when in conjunction with hand gestures, the picture is clear.
To me, speaking to people by only listening is like trying to navigate my home without my glasses on (I have nearly 20/500 vision), whereas communicating via sign language is like putting my glasses on. I get a clearer understanding of what is wanted.

That's interesting that you find it easier to communicate with people who are hard of hearing or deaf. Personally I find it no easier than chatting with NTs who have perfect hearing, but then every Aspie is different. I can imagine, though I haven't tried, that I would find it easier to communicate with someone who is blind. This would mean I don't have to do eye contact and as I'm unwittingly quite a loud speaker, I'd be able to come across to them quite well. Personally if I'm NOT looking at someone while he or she is speaking to me, I can comprehend what he or she is saying much more, eye contact is like an annoying distraction.

I don't sign, or at least not past baby talk but I know what you mean. An ex-boyfriend's parents were both deaf. We understood each other just fine most of the time. Their facial expressions were very exaggerated. I let mine become exaggerated as much as possible. It worked. Nothing subtle about it.

Exactly. With most people, there is no way for me to read them, because them being frustrated about anything can cause them to be considered short, where with someone signing, you can tell in both the hands and the mouth movements. It is seen in the way someone's signing. Like an extended arm while signing is to express anger directed toward the other person. They're angry at you, thus there is no guess work.