o those with AS who are on-literal
I am curious if there are many people here who like myself find WP rather limiting in not being able to connect with people beyond the limitations of the literal minded majority?
I am aware that throughout history there has been (and remains) a very rich and colorful collection of non-literal autistic people who have risen to prominance through their gifts. People such as Opal Whiteley, Hans Christian Anderson, Henry Thoreau, Lewis Carol, Peter Howson, Donna Williams just to name a few. And yet, autism is often only associated with extreme logic thinkers and those who interpret things literally.
My theory on this is that those of a more right brain dominance within the spectrum are more likely to fall out the range of the 'autistic radar' due to their more advanced ability to adapt and creatively mask their neurological difference.
As a child with autism I recall my adopted parents never being able to listen to my experience of pain and alienation and when I was brave enough to share something sensitive or deeply heartfelt they were only able to tell me I was wrong in how I was using language. In my early years here at WP there were many painful ironies, in my attempt to bare my soul only to be responded to by "that word doesn't make sense" or "you have not spelled that correct" etc......
Because I am very conventionally artistic and thus use metaphor and figurative expressions I often find I am in a small minority here at WP amidst the majority of literal minded aspies. However, I learned some time ago now not to keep going to the 'butchers for bread' (so to speak)
It took me a long time to have compassion and accept the fact that many people with autism who suffered because of their difference, could not accept difference beyond that which their ridged interpretation of the world would allow........
I no longer need to be affirmed or listened to like I was when I as younger and post dx, plus these days I have found a sense of acceptance and community through my Buddhist and Quaker participation as well as many artistic friends on the spectrum and here on WP and outside in the world.
Whilst I welcome people here to critique my theory on right brained dominance and diagnosis, however the deeper desire I have is to connect with non-literal aspies, hense my question which I will repeat again to stress my primary point.
"I am curious if there are many people here who like myself find WP rather limiting in not being able to connect with people beyond the limitations of the literal minded majority?"
Apologises in advance for being rather selective in which comments I may choose to respond to and feel are more in resonance with the spirit underpinning my enquiry, which is to connect with others.
Wishing you all well and with gratitude to ALL my brothers and sisters in the spectrum.
Q
outofplace
Veteran

Joined: 10 Jun 2012
Age: 51
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,771
Location: In A State of Quantum Flux
I think the majority of people here never really connect with others here for a variety of reasons. There are plenty of minorities on here: People of various faiths, conservatives, libertarians, asexuals/demisexuals, homosexuals, transgender, etc. Most of them do not fit well with the majority viewpoints here but it seems to me that they are tolerated and treated with respect. I think it really comes down to the individuals who happen to be using this site at any given time. From what I have seen in my brief time here, there are plenty of artistic and creative types here. Plenty seem to be able to think in non-literal ways, but it's always going to be a minority due to the nature of autism. You just need to post in the right threads that deal with these sorts of things.
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Uncertain of diagnosis, either ADHD or Aspergers.
Aspie quiz: 143/200 AS, 81/200 NT; AQ 43; "eyes" 17/39, EQ/SQ 21/51 BAPQ: Autistic/BAP- You scored 92 aloof, 111 rigid and 103 pragmatic