What does autism mean to you?

Post Reply New Topic

Hi Wrong Planet community!

Long time lurker, first time poster here. I am a writer (of novels, none published yet) and after being diagnosed with autism at age 30, I decided I wanted to write a novel in which the protagonist is a teenage girl on the spectrum, because I think it would be good to have more depictions of autistic people (especially girls) in fiction.

I know I can write to my experience of being on the spectrum and what that means to me, but I'd love to try to make this book speak to as many people as possible, so I want your thoughts on what autism means to you! We're all so different but when I try to distill autism down to one thing that unites all our tribe members, I keep coming back to that feeling of otherness. The certain feeling that you are innately, unalterably different from most everyone else around you. The feeling of being a foreigner in your own country, or an alien on the wrong planet. Do you agree with this? What does it feel like to you? What feelings or experiences do you think are core to the autistic/aspergers experience? Are there certain things you'd like to see from a book narrated by someone on the spectrum?

I know that's a pretty big question, or like multiple questions, but I'd also love to hear any little moment or experience that feels, for lack of a better term, really autistic to you. My friend and I call them aspie moments, like totally missing sarcasm and replying earnestly. Or when I'm zoning out listening to music and suddenly realize I've been standing in my dark closet with my headphones on, swaying silently back and forth for who knows how long. Things like that where you go, well that was really aspie. I'd love to hear about those little moments that define autism for you as well.

Thank you in advance for sharing!

I and research would agree that being an alien/outsider is the common feeling among autistics. You can kind of recognize the person on the spectrum as they shine when they hit their special interest, as if the world is a magical place. NTs seem a bit dull in that regard. But I find the world an endlessly fascinating place and just like to dive in and learn. I think the worst and subtlest rejection from NTs is not being able to appreciate the splendor of life around us and reacting as if that fascination is silly or stupid. It is a relentless rejection starting in childhood and neverending.

I was diagnosed a couple of months ago--at the age of 56. I am part of a lost generation where autism had not been invented and so we could not have been discovered in childhood. So I am unsure of my autistic moments, at least not those that are unique to me. I have the typical things like not reciprocating in conversations. But the fascinating thing about the diagnosis is that a fog has lifted on my past and I can clearly see many of the drivers in my life.

I love the idea of your special interest making the world a magical place! That's a great way to describe it; it really does feel like that, and I do light up when I talk about mine. Even though no one wants to listen, lol. So yes, I think rejection is probably a common theme in autistic's lives.

And I had the same experience when I figured out I was on the spectrum - like a lightbulb moment where I could clearly see the why behind so many things in my past or the way that I am. Like the answer to the question I didn't know I was asking.

This is a research article and so is a bit dry, but it does give some insight to the experience of undiagnosed adults:

Living with autism without knowing: receiving a diagnosis in later life

Fnord - Yes! I can speak to my experience as an autistic person, but I want to make sure the book speaks to more than just me, that it speaks to other autistic people and represents their views and experiences as well. I've read a lot of WP threads and that's helped I think, but yeah just trying to get a wider response pool on what the autistic experience means to you. No plotting or drafting help needed though, lol.

Jiheisho - Thanks! This line really stuck out at me from the article: "The inability to ‘fit in’ was endured until it became untenable." YES. Exactly that!

Joan, welcome. I am happy to have you here and I don't mind you asking about our experiences. As someone familiar with the creative arts, I am happy for your to reach out and do research.

BTW, you may find TEDx talks really good inspiration: