Some of us just don’t like being touched & that’s ok.
Sound advice here about how to interact with cats. Coincidentally this is Exactly the approach needed by #ActuallyAutistic people like me. And, in my experience, by kids.
I wonder, how is this not obvious to everyone? The answer, I think, is that so many of us learn when we’re young that we’re not entitled to have boundaries. Not entitled to be safe.
Cats can teach us So Much about #consent. We are all entitled to be safe. @actuallyautistic
‘She treats everyone with a deep growl’: can you train an angry cat to be more sociable? https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/30/she-treats-everyone-with-a-deep-growl-can-you-train-an-angry-cat-to-be-more-sociable?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Sound advice here about how to interact with cats. Coincidentally this is Exactly the approach needed by #ActuallyAutistic people like me. And, in my experience, by kids.
I wonder, how is this not obvious to everyone? The answer, I think, is that so many of us learn when we’re young that we’re not entitled to have boundaries. Not entitled to be safe.
Cats can teach us So Much about #consent. We are all entitled to be safe. @actuallyautistic
‘She treats everyone with a deep growl’: can you train an angry cat to be more sociable? https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/30/she-treats-everyone-with-a-deep-growl-can-you-train-an-angry-cat-to-be-more-sociable?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Hugs4friends ♾🇺🇦 🇵🇸😷 •
Yes, it is much like how a lot of autists are about casual contact. Children are subjected to unwanted hugs from adults, who have no concept of consent. @actuallyautistic
quackademic •
Hugs4friends ♾🇺🇦 🇵🇸😷 •
Kevin Davy •
As a child of the 60's and 70's you hugged. Well, unless you wanted to be shouted at, a lot, anyway. Every vague relation and friend of the family, anyone, in fact, who your parents deemed you had to. Because the thought of someone even thinking about being able to refuse one, hadn't even staggered over the horizon back then. It was just how you were expected to behave. I wouldn't say that I learnt to endure it, that actually took a long time. But, I still hate it as much now, as I did back then.
Hugs4friends ♾🇺🇦 🇵🇸😷 hat dies geteilt
Mind Shambles •
Kevin Davy •
As with all things, choice is the key. If we choose it, we are in effect in control of it and that means feeling safe and comfortable. Touch, for me, is rarely feeling either of those two things. Perhaps because I was forced too much as a child, or the rolling trauma of not having the control I so often needed, I don't really know.
Hugs4friends ♾🇺🇦 🇵🇸😷 •
Kevin Davy •
Indeed.