New research shows emotional expressions work differently in autism

Researchers found that autistic and non-autistic people move their faces differently when expressing emotions like anger, happiness, and sadness. Autistic participants tended to rely on different facial features and produced more varied expressions, which can look unfamiliar to non-autistic observers. The study suggests emotional misunderstandings are a two-way street, not a one-sided deficit.

from Relationships News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260118233549.htm