Rethinking Face‐to‐Face Interaction: Lessons from Studies of “Autistic Sociality”

Face‐to‐face interaction is a foundational concept in microsociology. This article surveys the social experiences of autistic people, who are commonly known for having a strained relationship with interactions face to face. By interpretively reviewing and synthesizing the broader literature on “autistic sociality,” the article provides a nuanced account of autistic people's relationship to the face‐to‐face domain. This account, in turn, helps expand and diversify microsociological theory by (1) suggesting the potential existence of a distinct autistic interaction order and (2) illuminating alternative perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of face‐to‐face interaction for communication and social bonding.