Do animals connect better with Autistic people?

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I'm rather curious about this, because I've always had a special bond with animals. My dogs and cats feel closer to me than anyone else in my family, and I feel like I can relate to animals a lot. A few times I've even been able to approach stray animals before while they ran away from other people. I've also seen other people with Aspergers have an ability with animals as well, like my ex-boyfriend for example. I don't know if my theory is true though, but I don't understand why animals seem drawn to me. Of course, I love that they love me though.

There are quite a few people here on WP who have formed deep bonds with animals.

I had a deep bond with my Persian cat, Zum Zum, during mid-adolescence. She was my best friend at the time.

Well, either I'm not autistic or not all autistics connect well with animals.
Or maybe both statements are true.
In any case, I've never connected much with animals.

People always used to joke that animals and small children/babies were drawn to me like a magnet. Its when they actually turn into people they have a problem with me.

I am the Wolfman. I am part animal already.

I get along better with animals than people. Plus, they're easy to read.

I get along well with animals because I can read them very well and view them as being individuals, or people. I usually don't think of them as being beneath me. Animals are generally not manipulative or dishonest, they behave as they actually feel. If they are hungry, they let you know. If they want to be left alone, they let you know. If they like you, you will know it. More intelligent and advanced animals (like great apes) can be manipulative, but I don't come into contact with those types of animals.

So perhaps if some autistics get along well with animals, it is because they understand them. I understand cats because I often feel as they do. They may be predators, but also are often prey animals because of their size. They must be cautious. They dislike loud noises and unexpected things. They are highly sensitive, from what I've seen. They want to be left alone unless they are in the mood to play or cuddle. They have distinct body language that can be read if you observe them. To me it's very clear and understandable. So they like me as a result.

Yes

My theory:

Eye contact in the animal kingdom is usually seen as a sign of aggression or dominance.
Autism tends to make you uncomfortable making eye contact.
Stereotypical NT behaviour when approaching animals (most dogs at least) is to walk straight towards them, eyes on the animal's face/eyes.
Animals will have better first impressions of (and connect better with) people who don't start off their interaction with a sign of aggression/dominance.

I've always had an easier and deeper connection to animals than to humans. Animals have no hidden agendas and as someone else said, they're easy to read because of that; it's always clear where you stand with an animal.

They also read us and respond accordingly. Animals respond instinctively to people who feel positively toward them, and the positive feelings come out subconsciously in the form of relaxed body language that animals can sense, and even a different smell (the old cliche of "smelling fear" is real). Animals can actually read muscle tone well in other animals including humans, even though we're clothed, because muscle tone transfers into to micro-postures. They can see tense muscle tone in a way we can't in each other or them. If you are relaxed there's a natural attraction and a reciprocating relaxation that gets started.

While I can have cordial and even loving connections to humans, if this suddenly became a world without humans tomorrow, I would be absolutely fine -- as long as there were still animals. I couldn't live without animals in my life. Which is why I think it's brutal and punitive when landlords or property managers and owners have "no pets" clauses. Having an animal to love and care for can be a psychological life saver for some people, but unfortunately one can't always pick and choose a pets-allowed place, for economic reasons and if you live in a city with a crisis housing-wise, as I do. I also think anyone with autism of any level should get to have an emotional support animal if they want to have one. The UK is way behind on this, especially concerning housing and allowing an animal.

My wife complains that one cat likes me more even though she does most of the feeding. She picks him up and puts him on her lap and in about a minute he walks over to sit on me.

In many ways I actively dislike the cat, too, so it's doubly weird.

Well my scorpion seems to have bonded well with me. Mind you, the only other entities I have to compare with are the crickets I put in there to keep it company. It brutally murders and devours them while never once showing aggression towards me, so I consider us to be best of friends.

I like animals but I don't think I connect any better with them, they're animals and don't have the same expectations of you I suppose.

I put pets at ease because I can understand their immediate language and needs. Animals with low intelligence are very needy, like toddlers. But because they lack the ability to judge, the line of communication is more open. If you understand their desires and needs, they will like you better. Admittedly, some animals are destructive A-holes or are mentally unstable, but it takes all kinds I suppose.

I also put wildlife at ease with my demeanor. I often walk (and often run) up on things or have things approach me. I laugh at people who go through great lengths to hunt, because I would just be cherry-picking. Just another "sport" to inflate people's egos....

I love animals in general. Cats are just about the only animal I feel that has ever shunned me, but that's because they have a unique personality and it was only those certain cats who prefer to be away from those they don't know.

But, animals of all types, to include parrots that ALWAYS bite people they aren't familiar with have taken a liking to me and the owners have commented about it. Animals are my best friends. I feel that they understand more about the human world than most NT's do. We as humans like to complicate our communication, but animals are able to see through the words and behavior by recognizing our body language, so they understand what we feel and not necessarily what we seek to communicate.

I also love to talk with animals. I feel like they know what I am thinking (to a degree) a lot of times. And, I prefer their company to humans because they do not seek to understand my words, but instead, simply understand my needs, which is far more personal.