What do you think autism is? (autistics only to vote(sorry))

Post Reply New Topic

Hi everyone, sorry but I need the opinions of autistic people only on this one, I need to know what autistic people think autism is, if you are not autistic though feel free to say your opinion below but mention that you aren't autistic

I'm not sure whether or not you want my answer: I'm diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, which I do know is "on the spectrum", but not quite the same as plain autism.

Anyway, my vote would be "all of the above". Not very helpful, huh? But I wouldn't say "something going wrong", just "something going differently." If there were a cure, I wouldn't go for it: without the Asperger's, I wouldn't be who I am, and I _like_ quite a few of the things about it that make me who I am, and both positive and negative, and some positive or negative or neutral depending on your viewpoint. I do wish that I had known about it when I was very young, and had had some of the "social skills training" and other training that the kids are getting now.

A genetic difference which does different things to everyone who has it.

A genetic difference that manifests differently in each person who has it. No two people on the spectrum are the same, and it's a difference and not a disease that needs to be cured.

I think autism is the name given to a broad collection of behaviors and cognitive traits (which can expressed in as many ways as there are people with autism); I think the behaviors/traits are the manifestation of numerous collections of neurological differences; And I think the neurological differences are caused by a number of different combinations of genetic, and/or environmental, and/or physiological factors.

Autism is genetic, if it wasn't it wouldn't be hereditary.

Being on the mild end of things I can see where my particular traits would be of advantage historically.

I hate bright light but have better low light vision than most people.
I am sensitive to lots of 'electrical society' noises (hums & buzzess etc) but have very good hearing in the 'natural world'.

I like isolation.
I'm good at obsessive detail which would have made good at being a craftsman, but in the modern mass produced world these traits are generally uneconomic, social skills are far, far more important.

So in general I think difference that is made into a disability by a world designed for NT's who are intolerant of differences.

Its surely a brain difference from the general people on the planet. Right now (my mind changes a lot) I would say it could be the opposite of superficiality.

I think it is a difference that is genetic that is neither good or bad.


Jojo

A sometimes negative/sometimes neutral/sometimes positive mutation of unknown origin?

A difference, most likely genetic, that causes a number of traits that can have different effects on different people depending on what other traits and lifestyle and upbringing they have. Depending on the intensity of the trait, how it interacts with other traits and the amount of support somebody receives if they're struggling, it can either be a good thing or a bad thing to have. Some of my traits cause me problems but some have given me an advantage.

Other -

I think the definition depends on the individual. For me, I view many aspects as negatives, some as positives. Would I want to not have it? No, I'd be a different person.