Autistic people teach us silence

In many situations, we have learned that silence is something to avoid perhaps because it can feel uncomfortable or rude. A quiet moment can feel awkward, and pauses in conversation are quickly filled. This is often also the case in professional cases, where a culture of small talk and quick speaking often is equated with engagement, confidence, or even competence.

It has become acknowledged how autistic people typically engage with communication differently. Some might avoid small talk, take longer to respond, or prefer written or structured formats. These differences are sometimes misinterpreted as disconnection or reluctance, when in fact it is far from negative.

This shift in thinking is not only about supporting autistic professionals but shows one of the many things that autistic people can inspire us. For many autistic professionals, silence is not uncomfortable. It is necessary. It allows time to make sense of complex  information, to reduce sensory or social overload, and to contribute in a way that is intentional and grounded. And especially to not feel the pressure of needing to say something specific to be a good enough employee.

Research such as The Double-Edged Sword of Diversity reminds us that diverse teams perform best when people feel psychologically safe to show up as they are. That includes making room for a range of communication styles and removing the pressure of masking. When silence is seen not as a problem to fix, but as a valid part of the interaction, teams become more inclusive and often more effective.

Importantly, valuing silence doesn’t mean being apart or disengaged. It means allowing ourselves to be silently together, recognizing that honestly, many of us (probably all of us at some point) can feel mentally overloaded by social interaction. Being together in silence can be a form of connection that honors that reality.

So, silence can be powerful for both neurotypical and neurodiverse people. Silence is not the absence of communication. It can be a space for thinking, processing, and responding with care. Especially in fast-paced professional environments, silence can offer something rare: clarity. It also gives space for safety, honesty, and better reflection. It slows the pace just enough for better ideas to emerge.

This shift in thinking is not only about supporting autistic professionals. It is about re-evaluating what we expect in workplace communication. What might we learn if we allowed ourselves and each other to be silent? What changes if we become more comfortable with a bit of silence?

Source:

Russo, D., Rainer, A., & Stol, K.-J. (2023). The double-edged sword of diversity: How diversity, conflict, and psychological safety impact software teams. Information and Software Technology, 158, 107188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2023.107188