Two autistic friends have been sitting on the same sofa together all afternoon without needing to interact with each other in any way, sources have reported. Their comfortable, shared silence has just reached its sixth glorious hour.

Talia Cohen, 20, is currently playing a puzzle adventure game on her phone, and Siobhan Moorton, 19, has been idly scrolling through cat photos on Instagram and wondering about picking up a colouring book. Neither of them needs headphones for their devices as the idea of any of their electronics ever making a noise is a genuine waking nightmare. 

Communicating by text, Cohen told us: “Shiv is one of my best friends in the whole world: hence why she’s actually allowed in my house. We’re so comfortable that we don’t even need to speak. Come to think of it, I haven’t even looked at her for the last four hours.” 

Getting out her semaphore flags, Moorton added: “Call it ‘parallel play’ or simply ‘shutting the fuck up’, we’re both really committed to a silent equilibrium.” 

The silence happily awoke from its long nap and agreed: “These two are great! I never usually get this long hanging out on the sofa before someone breaks me.” 

At this point our reporter accidentally coughed and – judging by the clear gesticulation – was firmly encouraged to leave.

Like what you’re reading? Make us your new special interest! Help us grow The Daily Tism by sharing our articles, following us on Instagram, Bluesky, Threads and Facebook, shouting us a coffee on Ko-Fi or joining our bonus-content-packed Club for Terrible Autistics by subscribing to our Patreon. We also now have merch! Check out your favourite headlines in comfy wearable form over on Teemill.

You can also watch episodes one and two of our sketch show, The Daily Tism News, in collaboration with Turtle Canyon Comedy, or listen to episode three in audio form – and tune into our podcast, Autistic Women Oversharing to find out WAY too much about our writers.