David Byrne has revealed he may be on the autism spectrum.
In a new conversation on Louis Theroux Podcastthe Talking Heads frontman reflected on his social experiences and how music has shaped the way he navigates the world.
As per PEOPLE MagazineByrne, 73, recalled first considering the option back in the 1990s.
“It could have been in the ’90s or something — there were articles in magazines about this idea of the spectrum,” he shared.
“There’s quite severe autism where people don’t speak at all and it’s very, very difficult for them to communicate. And then there’s milder and milder until it’s on the very mild side,” he continued.
“It tends to be people who can be very focused on an idea, maybe have a hard time in social situations and things like that.”
Byrne added that he recognized some of these traits in himself.
“I’ve never thought of it as a disability, but I can see there’s a part of me that is like that,” he said.
The To burn the house down musician also reflected on past moments of social misunderstanding.
“I’ve had that experience where someone will say, ‘Well, I clearly said no,’ and then I replay the conversation and the word ‘no’ wasn’t there,” he explained.
“They expected their facial expressions or tone to be read – and I wasn’t able to read that.”
Despite these challenges, Byrne said he has become more adaptable over time, “I’m a lot better at it now than I was before.”
