Do you Have an "Autistic Gait"?

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When I was younger, I use to walk on tippy-toes a lot and I loved to hop-along and gallop like a horse. Eventually I grew out of it, but I still can't run "normally" if my life depended on it. My brother describes it as if I'm running in a "sitting down" position (?!?) As for my walking gait, it's not very feminine, to say the least... It's more of a "out of my way, I'm on a mission" sort of thing.

I always look at my feet when I walk and when I was younger, I used to walk really fast. I have orthopedic problems now, so I tend to walk slowly. I walked a lot on my toes as a little kid, too.

No-one has ever said that I am autistic because of the way I walk but people have always said that I have a distinctive style of walking. Here in England it is often called "spring jack heels" (no idea why). Apparently I "bounce" as I walk. When I was younger I used to walk very quickly as well.

I usually stand up straight and move my arms back and fourth, but I think I still somehow look stiff when I walk.

Autistic gait? No, my gait reflects how my problematic feet are - and my energy level - and my mood. Somtimes I walk like a whirlwind, barely touching the ground and sometimes I shuffle like a worn-down old farmer.

Aspies tend to have hand eye coordination issues, which can supposedly result in a puppet walk. Every puppet walk is different, but it has been described as 'pulling yourself along', somewhat off balance, and often slouching. It is one of the things they tested me for during my diagnostic, and something we sometimes commented on (but did not use as a diagnosis indicator) when I worked at the clinic for autistic kids.

I have had people comment on my gait. Funny thing is I remember as a child trying to optimise my walk because I felt normal walking was inefficient lol.

Here's a question: I read many posts that spoke of being uncoordinated, or having tendon issues, and the like. I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which I only recently read is heavily correlated with Autism Spectrum disorders! I have had some corrective surgeries as a result, so that affects my gait, and I look at the ground (of course) and I rarely swing my arms. I don't meet too many people who seem familiar enough with Autism/Aspergers to comment on it, though.

I used to. I consciously had to practice walking normally, and eventually I just got used to it. I also did martial arts for about a year (muay thai), and I think that helped with my coordination and sense of balance.

The psych who diagnosed me told me later that she predicted I was autistic the moment I walked into her office because of my posture. Also, I used to do this heel/toe stomp thing, probability for the increased sensory input, till I moved out and went to college, where it was obvious enough that it was "not the thing to do." My son, also on the spectrum, does something similar sometimes.

I consciously developed an "acceptable" walk when I was young. It's only just recently that I've unlearned that and started walking in a way that is natural to me. I find I toe-walk slightly more now, and tend to walk like I'm on a tightrope. My shoes are starting to have nice, balanced wear patterns on the soles and my knees and hips don't get sore as often as they used to.

Was told I had an "abnormal gait" when I was younger.

When i was young, i was mocked for my gait quite often. In elementary i even had kids from higher classes telling me how to walk, i just didnt get it. Later i just analyzed how the popular kids walked and tried to copy it, swinging arms, moving hips and all that, doesnt feel natural so i only did it when i was around people. Sometimes if i feel a little silly i do it today, but its more for a brief moment of fun/randomness. Usually im pretty stiff, looking down, slouching, whatever...

Peace
TK

The same here, but because of a pelvis-problem.

Just that I walk like a female and this was from two teenage women.