Where is the right place to put your body?

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I feel like I have a poor grasp of where to put my body in a space. Overall I have very good fine motor skills. I don't think that my walking style draws attention to AS, however the other movements that I make in public (when I am unsure of my surroundings or there are people around) seem very awkward. I get very stiff, usually my arms are by my side with hands pointing outwards, I take lots of cautious little steps and make jerky movements, etc.

Especially when I go into new places (eg. doctors, meeting, etc) I don't know where I'm meant to put myself. I walk (oddly, like I'm going to trip, very unsure) into the doorway and then stand there trying to sum up my surroundings until I'm told where to put myself. I don't understand where to sit, is it ok to sit now, etc.

Related to this also is that I have ALOT of those moments when you are walking towards someone and you both don't know which way the other person is going. I imagine I appear quite awkward in my movements when I'm around people (I dont really think so when I'm alone though) and maybe this confuses them of my intentions. Or maybe it is my slower "in the moment" processing speed or misunderstanding their body language.

If you live in the U.S., passing people coming toward you on your left is usually the most comfortable.

I get so embarrassingly confused. Someone showed me through a doorway and once I got through I had no idea which way they were going and kept spinning around trying to figure out things. I have no idea where to look, or how to stand, either. My natural reaction to going to a new place is going straight for a corner and facing a wall, but I'm going to stop doing that consciously because people must think I'm crazy.

My gait and movements are probably my most obvious autistic traits.

I never know what to do with my hands or feet. Usually I have my right foot on to of my other foot...kind of like a flamingo and I usually twist my fingers, or have to have something in my hands.

When I realize I don't know how to hold my posture, I look at someone else, and stand the way they are.

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(I'm a Girl... )

"The person who knows everything has a lot to learn."

"Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum" (I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am) René Descartes

You could try workouts like stretching and dance to help you gain some bodily awareness because in order to do those things you need to know what muscles are attached to what and where they are in relation to the rest of your body and your surroundings. Also, when it comes to general movements like walking and sitting, I'd start with keeping your arms loose with hands in your pockets or arms hanging loosely with hands downward. With the legs I think its natural for most people to put the majority of weight on their big toe and walk sorta flat footed. Your neck should stay straight but without tension. If you tend to look down try to confine it to your eyes looking down and not letting your head drop. When sitting I'd go with whatever leg position is most comfortable while still with your back leaning back into the seat but still relaxed and arms either on armrests or in your lap.

Regarding offices, let the receptionist know who you are and why you're there, then sit (i.e., my name is X and I'm here for an X o'clock appointment"). Regarding meetings, if you are a presenter in the meeting or are very likely to be talking at some point in the meeting, sit at the table. If you are an observer, sit away from the table unless someone invites you to the table. If unsure, sit away from the table until someone invites you to the table.

Try not to walk with your hands pointing outwards. Try to keep your arms and hands relaxed.

When you are walking in a crowd or walking toward a stranger, look at the feet. This will be a better indicator of the direction someone is heading than the face or upper body. If you're walking toward someone you recognize, nod and say "hi". It's OK if the two of you become confused as to where the other is going. It's actually funny, so laugh. You can even say, "Want to dance?" unless the other person says it first.

I hope that helps.