Differences between NT geeks and people who are autistic

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Um...hm. Well,I don't like the term "geek" to mean "nerd" as I know too much about carnivals (don't ask) and the term geek has an unsavory meaning that doesn't have much to do with nerds.

If we're talking about NERDS...I think if you took a group of NT nerds and a group of autistic nerds and asked each to write a list of 10 or even 20 things that are important to them, I would think that the NT nerds would be less likely to put their nerd interests on the list. When they did put them on the list, I think they would be further down, as in not thought of immediately. I think autistic nerds would think of their interests quickly, perhaps before thinking of traditional "important" things such as "my country" or "my religion."

So even if the nerd interests are kept active for the NT nerd, I think there is a lesser depth? to them than in an autistic nerd. The interest has less meaning? If you asked me, What does Star Trek mean to you? my response may not be as rich as an autistic person's.

The differences between a nerdy aspie and a nerdy N.T.:

- Nerdy N.T's joke about how 'socially awkward lulz' they are on the internet because they accidentally said 'you too' to someone who wished them a happy birthday.

They don't realize awkwardness is pretty much socially acceptable in today's society and plenty of nerdy/geeky/awkward people can make friends easily.

They also don't realize what TRUE awkwardness and social difficulty is.

These 'super awkward' people will claim to be awkward with their big 5-20 person friend crowd while us aspies are left to struggle to make any friends or socialize with our 2-3 person stoner/loser group.

- Nerdy N.T's also joke about their introversion. 'Lol I hate people I'd rather spend my weekends netflixing because I hate parties and I'm awkward lulz'.

Nerdy aspies again actually have difficulties - we don't avoid parties because we 'hate people lulz' it's because of sensory issues, we actually have severe anxiety and can't handle ourselves in many situations. We don't stay home on weekends 'because netflix and people suck lolz', we do it because we have to actually mentally and emotionally recharge.

- Nerdy N.T's still have decent/standard social skills in most areas of life and will make it pretty far.

- Again, nerdy aspies find it difficult.

- Nerdy N.T's are 'such a nerd/geek lulz' even though they like some of, if not the trendiest, most popular things of the millenial generation. Star Trek, Anime, Star Wars, Superhero films, Young Adult fiction, Fantasy books, modern Doctor Who, Sherlock, etc.

It's 'cool' and 'hip' to be a nerd today, and yet they still act like they're a 'total weirdo for liking these things.'.

- The nerdy aspie, however, likes genuinely obscure or unpopular interests. Science, mathematics, technology, philosophy, psychology, politics, etc.

- Some nerdy aspies may fit the nerd steretype, but nerdy N.Ts will almost never understand the genuine struggle we suffer from.

Being a "geek" is a lifestyle, whereas ASD is a disability, which inherently means a person has a deficiency that is not the result of a personal choice (like a lifestyle is a choice). Still not entirely sure the difference between a geek and a nerd. A person chooses to like comic book conventions... they don't choose to have social, cognitive and learning deficits.

The two can't even be compared. Geeks are people who ascribe to geek culture. Geeks can be both Neurotypical and Autistic. One is born autistic, and has inborn characteristics. The ability to hyper focus, lack of eye contact, preference for solitary activities. It's just basic hardware in our neurology, it doesn't influence our interests, that's determined by nurture. If someone was born autistic 1000 years ago they wouldn't be interested in Star Wars.