How is autism an ability

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Appreciate your guys's compliments on my post re. disability. It took me a while to figure all that out. Most of us were probably raised in a world where disability is seen as a universal negative, feared, its neutral and positive aspects presumed not to exist, and its painful or annoying parts seen as overwhelming and tragic instead of just painful or annoying. It took years for me to break through that, to admit that my autism is a disability, because I just didn't think that someone with a disability could have the meaningful life I knew I could have. Being in denial about having a disability also stops you from asking for help when you need it or doing things differently when you need to. Ironically, that can be far more disabling than the disability itself.

Think of it like this.

How many NTs are natural jocks? Do those same people have brains? Normally, it seems there's a trade off. Maybe because life pushes them to exploit their physical ability at the cost of their mental ability or maybe it seems there's a trade off of physical prowess for IQ. In either case, how many people are the "complete package" (brains, brawn, talent)?

There are amazing things I can do that people are impressed with, but those few things don't compensate for the many things I struggle with. I suppose I'd be no different than the strong man who can carry heavy things, but isn't "smart" enough to finish community college. My life options will be limited by what I can't do, and I must hope what I'm good at will take care of me my whole life.

It's a curse and a blessing, as Inspector Monk would say.
Once upon a time, people were accepted in their small rural community as a bit odd. But the old man who was the town Librarian could tell you where every book was located. The guy who sat around making penny whistles was thought eccentric, but people still bought the whistles. The "Old Maid" who grew the most beautiful roses in town was the president of the local flower club. The woman who could recite math formulas by heart was the teacher. Society wasn't so bloody homogenized. Everyone wasn't supposed to be happy clappy NTs. The guy who lived up in the hills and brewed whiskey was an outcast, but the men still bought his whiskey. back then people on the spectrum found a niche in the community. But now it's a different world, and if you're just half a bubble off center, then you get bullied by your boss until you find yourself unemployed.