Lets make a list of inaccurate stereotypes of aspies!

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This is why I never thought I am autistic.
Only when I saw Aspies on Youtube talking about it themselves could I recognise that I am autistic too. Previously when I only knew the descriptions by NT professionals I just got the image of a non-human robot and would have never thought of myself as autistic because I consider myself a human and not some kind of robot. I also didn't think I knew anyone else with autism because I just didn't know any robots in human bodies. I often cringe when I read about autism by professionals and it sounds not just like they're describing some kind of other animal species, but like they are describing a machine.

AStrangerInGodzone is an Aspergers Syndrome blog written by a AS woman in New Zealand.

Today's post from her is: Autistics Who Don't Fit The Stereotypes and I enjoyed reading it so it may be worth googling for those of us who don't fit the conventional stereotypes of male geek or house-destroying male child (which, as she notes, are the two stereotypes that dominate in commentaries written about AS people, usually by NT people though not always).

Thank you for that, very interesting.

I second these sentiments. Thank you for the search terms, it was a good read.

Thanks to both of you for this feedback

There is a thread now being discussed in the general forum which is specifically focused on the article as a starting point, if you would like to read or participate in it. I am quite heartened that the article has been generally well received, by
a diverse group of members more or less in unity on this.

Amongst the stereotypes of Asperger's I have heard, there are a few that really baffle me when I hear it:
1. Asperger's is all "just in your head." Although, an appropriate response to this would be something like "of course it is. Asperger's is about the way our brains are wired!" Get it??
2. Asperger's Syndrome people have to look a certain way in order to have Asperger's.
3. Asperger's Syndrome people can't make eye contact. While it's true many struggle with it, it doesn't mean that it cannot be learned.
4. People will also say "well, you have friends now." Does that mean Asperger's Syndrome automatically goes away? No! It just means that I learned social skills enough to be able to make friends. Even then, it is a constant work in progress.

- Aspies don't understand art or literature.
- Aspies don't have a sense of humor.
- Aspies can't be in relationships.
- Aspies can't really love.
- AS is a fake diagnosis to cover narcissism.
- AS is a euphemism for autism.
- Inside every aspie or autistic, there's a "normal person" trying to get out.
- Aspies are suffering and want to be cured.
- Aspies think they're better than everyone else. (I still have no idea why both exist.)
- Aspies only appreciate science fiction and fantasy.

-Everyone with Asperger's is good at math

-No one with Asperger's wants friends

-Everyone with Asperger's loves trains

-All aspies are male

-Adults can't have Asperger's

-Everyone with Asperger's is a genius

-People with Asperger's love computers and can't excel in any occupations except IT

-All aspies are asexual

-All aspies are obsessed with sex

-People with Asperger's love weapons

Ok, here's one I'm noticing:

- Aspies don't drink booze.

... the f**k? What kind of as*hole thinks this? They've clearly never listened to the s**t that comes out of my mouth.



I know, right? What a crock.



I'd add that this not being the case is also a stereotype.

i do not consider myself to be representative of all people with asperger syndrome, so i can not deign to either endorse or reject any of the stereotypes you mention.

stereotypes of some varieties applied to asperger syndrome may be valid but i am not of the consideration that i am qualified to speak on behalf of anyone else but myself.

the aspects of my condition that may be a common element to asperger syndrome are:

1. inability to fluently reciprocate in conversation.
2. extreme necessity to live a routine life.
3. inability to be infected by prevailing social moods.

that is all, but i am not sure these traits are common to all people with asperger syndrome.

i have many other idiosyncrasies, but i allow that they are probably peculiar to me and exist due to the life i have lived whilst having asperger syndrome.

i do not care what stereotypes may be prevalent about apserger syndrome, because if someone meets me and is informed that i have asperger syndrome and judges me with preference to their own preconceptions, then i will dismiss them as people to interact with.

Aspies can't understand any idioms.

Vice has article about the cost of these stereotypes
Here’s What You’re Getting Wrong About People With Asperger's