Why do Aspies not know what to do with their arms?

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I understand it's a common characteristic for people with autism spectrum disorders to be a bit awkward, for instance to not know what to do with their arms, and it is true for me. But I never came across a scientific explanation for this phenomenon. Has anyone read why?

I am not sure what this means. Does this mean not know that they are to keep it to themselves and not go touching other people and they are to keep their arms on themselves?

I don't know what it means either.

Do you mean when we're standing and walking about in the street, or do you mean when we're talking to people and using hand expressions?

I am OK when talking to people, but when I'm standing or walking, I never know what to do with my hands. I keep one hand on the strap of my handbag and the other hand down by my side, but sometimes I feel very awkward with this hand because I feel that I should move it sometimes, so I tend to keep touching my face or something like that. I don't like to just stand there stock still like a statue all the time.

Hands in the pockets, thumbs on the outside. Otherwise I fidget.

Do you mean not liking to just have your arms...'hanging'? I either keep in my arms in my pockets, or play with something with my hands.

I know the feeling. I hate swinging my arms, but on the other hand I hate having them just at my sides. I thought this was my Lyme/Fibromyalgia though, because my arms are in pain.

It's because during some activities the arms are not necessary. We tend to not to do things without a reason, and therefore, when we don't need our arms, we don't do anything with them, which, can be kinda awkward.

I think this is a part of what is described as awkward body language. My theory is that body language usually happens subconsciously for neurotypicals; it is a nearly automatic indicator of their emotions (which can include "nothing" or "neutral"). They don't usually have to worry about what to do with their arms because they take care of themselves.

As aspies, more of our actions take place consciously and deliberately, and that includes things like body language and facial expressions. It takes some of our mental energy to just attempt to look neutral.

I can remember that I used to be teased for the way I ran because I didn't move my arms naturally. I didn't know how to do it "normally" until my Dad demonstrated for me, and then I had to practice it for a while.


Not knowing what to do with your hands can also be something that happens to anyone if they are nervous. It seems to be part of a lot of descriptions of first date experiences, for instance.

I'm just awkward generally, I never know what to do with my arms or legs or face, especially when someone is taking a photograph of me. I always end up with a frozen, unnatural half-smile and awkward body positions. Sometimes I put my hands in a certain position and it feels "wrong" so I have to change them.

It annoys me when people say, ''don't touch your face - keep your hands by your sides!'' because I find it too awkward to just keep my arms in one position for a really long time. I don't always feel right, but I can't put my finger on why or how it doesn't feel right, since it is advisory to keep your hands by your sides (unless you have a handbag over your shoulder and you hold onto the strap). But I just know it doesn't always feel right. Sometimes I lose my balance when my arms are just kept by my sides all the time (due to my Dyspraxia and/or ear problems), so I feel that I have to do something with my other hand in order to keep me more balanced, instead of standing like a drunk person.

This happens to me too! In response to something someone else has said: I have heard that it occurs with ASDs, and I don't believe it is caused by something else at all! I really don't know the scientific explanation, but it probably comes from awkward posture or something like that. Anyway, I rarely know where to put my arms. Often I try to wear a sweater or jacket with pockets or pants with pockets just so I have a place to put them. Or I might cross them. I really never know what I am supposed to do with them though.