Neurotypical (NT) people, when interacting naturally look for the intent and perspective of the other person, to give meaning to their words.

We read between the words to understand the thoughts, feelings, and perspective of others.

We are looking at “intent”; why are they saying what they are saying.

People on the spectrum tend to speak very literally (“What I say is what I mean”) with little “inferring”, or reading between the words needed.

If intent is not clear or obvious, NT people will project (or infer) intent to them.

The person with ASD is not reading the hidden meaning of NT people and NT people are misreading too much hidden meaning behind the literal words of those on the spectrum.

They often read the language of others very literally, missing the hidden meaning. Clarify” literally what you mean, and then “verify” that they understand. As children become older, they have to take on that responsibility,