What makes you proud to be an aspie?

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I do as well.

Well, I don't like doing what NT's do. Why would I want to be NT then?

I'm proud of my ability to hyperfocus on subjects that interest me. There are very few people in the world who can claim to be legitimate "experts" in something, especially something that can be used as a career. I know more about autism than my abnormal psych professor who has a master's degree in psychology, and everything I know about it, I taught myself. I didn't even learn anything about it through said abnormal psych professor, because when that part of the course came up, she let me give the lecture instead. I'm proud of my unique brain wiring that allows me to retain so much information so easily.

Having a disability has given me a unique perspective on the world. I see everything from a slightly different angle, and I am more likely to question the status quo. Being part of a minority group helps me understand a little better what it is like for other minority groups, and to appreciate the importance of supporting human rights. At the same time, the experience of having people make untrue assumptions about me is a warning to me that I need to avoid making assumptions myself, and to remind myself that just because I am autistic does not mean I know everything about every other autistic person, or even about another autistic person with very similar traits.

The fact of having a brain that simply works differently has also been beneficial. Most of my cognitive traits are common to all humans, but there's just enough difference there that I often come up with things that most people wouldn't think of. In a group where diverse ideas are accepted, I can contribute more than most.

Above all, I am proud of being autistic simply because it is part of who I am. I don't always like myself, but I know better than to let people tell me that I am unacceptable. A strong sense of social justice tells me that other people with other disabilities (or without them) are not unacceptable; logically, then, neither am I. To learn to accept and understand myself is part of learning to accept and understand others.

Being an Aspie is so super!
Visual thinking, Logical, Focused, Independent Thinker, Detail Oriented, Honest, Loyal, Determined, Concentration - hyperfocus.
When I think back to some of the hyperfocus sessions I've experienced, I even impress myself with how focused I can remain for so long.

We can see solutions where neurotypicals can't because we have a different way of thinking. Our brains are wired differently. Not defectively.

We can learn ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING there is to learn about our favourite topics/hobbies. I know TCP/IP inside out and combined with my interest in C/C++ and the ability to hyperfocus, I've written some extremely awesome networking software for Solaris, FreeBSD & Windows.

Animals do seem to love us more than NT's. We seem to be able to connect with them on a different level. Just look at Temple Grandin. Probably because animals are not fake!

We DO have emotions. We're not Vulcans. Close but not quite the same.

We will mix with NT's. Just don't expect too much eye contact - - but we do need our alone time to recharge.

Heaps more...

I do have Aspie Pride (not arrogance) but a lot of people seem to have a problem with being proud of something that was given to them by nature and not achieved/earned - so, perhaps "pride" isn't the best word. More, "satisfaction" - Aspie Satisfaction. Being happy with the fact that we're different. That we march to the beat of a different drummer. I'm high functioning and I wouldn't give that up for anything in the world. Especially not for becoming a silly super socialite NT.