I don't swing my arms when I walk?

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I remember seeing this question on the Aspie-quiz, and it really struck a chord with me. When I walk, my hands don't swing naturally. They either stay rigid and stuck to my side, or I feel awkward and I fold my hands against my chest (in a seemingly defensive manner.) I also clench my fists unknowingly when I walk in public. Does this happen to you?

Last edited by TheMatrixHasYou on 21 Oct 2011, 1:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I don't move my hands either when walking, to fix the odd lookingness I often keep my hands on my pockets.

Yeah to the lack of arm swing, and making a fist while walking. Lately (last few years), I seem to grimace a lot when walking, also.

I tend to swing one arm but not the other.

I don't swing my arms as I'm walking either. I usually have them in my pockets.

I hold them rigid and bent at the elbows.

I don't swing my arms at all and my gait is rather fixed and rigid. I have tried to overcome it but have not been successful, I think my permanent fear of falling doesn't help.

I also don't swing my arms when I walk. It just doesn't come naturally. I was a gymnast in elementary school (you can bet that didn't last, lol) and the instructor always commented that I needed to swing my arms while in motion.

Sometimes when my neurological condition (atypical Dystonia and/or atypical Parkinson's) is affecting me, I do that Commander Riker walk, with one shoulder higher and forward.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN04Bi8jveA[/youtube]

I swing one arm when I walk, and I keep the other hand on the strap of my handbag over my shoulder. Couldn't look any more ''normal'' doing that.....but people still give me the odd looks.

I don't swing my legs when I walk!




Sorry. Couldn't resist.

[quote="shrox"]Sometimes when my neurological condition (atypical Dystonia and/or atypical Parkinson's) is affecting me, I do that Commander Riker walk, with one shoulder higher and forward.

(youtube)

Hehe, I never noticed that about Riker, before.

Sometimes, when walking around in the house, I find my head bent over to one side, usually the left. It's not something that I can't compensate for when in public, though.

I never know what to do with my arms. I like to wear jackets with pockets so that I have somewhere to put my hands. Otherwise, I feel exposed and awkward.

^Seconding this. Alternately, carrying a book around is also nice, and gives you something read during downtime.
It was pointed out to me a couple of years ago by some people I was working with that I don't swing my arms when I walk, so I have actually noticed this since then. Really, it seems pointless to swing one's arms when walking, so I don't think I was missing much.

Interesting. I wasn't aware that lack of arm movement while walking is a common trait in people with autism.

After thinking about it, I guess I don't really move my my arms when I walk. I also have a hard time relaxing my face and shoulders.

I don't swing my arms when I walk either.