Things I do while conversing with my ND friends
Staring at trees or other background objects while explaining stuff
Special interest rants!!!
Stopping to smell candles/flowers/tea/etc.
Brief moments of eye contact (that are somehow less uncomfortably intimate than eye contact with NTs) before looking at other things again
Stretches/hand flapping/other stims
Speaking really quickly because I'm excited about something
Speaking with lots of pauses because I'm having trouble finding the right words
Making the decision to be interested in whatever topics they bring up
Not worrying about boring them because I know that they'll make themselves interested in my topics, too
"What's the history of that word/grammar form?" *everything on pause while we research and discuss*
"Another thing about *topic discussed an hour ago*"
Night falls but we forget that we're sitting in the dark because facial expressions aren't necessary to the conversation
Relating what they say back to myself but not worrying about seeming self-centered because they understand that's how I empathize
Talking for 10 hours straight but not being tired because we don't have to mask
Learning new facts every time I talk to them
Arabesques
My family: your autistic and ADHD traits are annoying. Stop talking about your special interest. I don't want to discuss this random grammar thing or story you just remembered with you. I don't have time for you to stumble around as you try to talk out your feelings
Me: *resolves to only converse on topics I am fairly certain (based on past conversations) the other person wants to talk about* *stops discussing emotions*
My family: you never initiate conversations! I never know how you're feeling or what you're thinking!