Who is a better source of help? A knowledgable NT, or...

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Joined: 22 May 2012
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24 May 2012, 7:47 am

What do you think is better/would you prefer:

recieving help/therapy from a NT who is very well trained about autism , but doesnt really know what its like to be you

or

recieving help from a high-functioning individual who is trained in autism and is on the spectrum himself so he understands your perspective (but wouldnt have as such a high mastery of social skills as a NT) ?

Delphiki
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24 May 2012, 7:49 am

Feel like there should be a poll, i dunno probably pick the first one.

I have read enough that I would be more concerned with if I can relate to them, there isn't much point in going to a therapist of some kind if I don't trust them

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Last edited by Delphiki on 24 May 2012, 7:59 am, edited 1 time in total.

MathGirl
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24 May 2012, 7:54 am

Being an autism student myself and on the spectrum, I pick 2. A bit conceited, perhaps.

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Joe90
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24 May 2012, 8:10 am

Sorry, posted in wrong thread.

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Tyazii
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24 May 2012, 8:12 am

The NT will describe Autism the way it is recorded and the way they have learned about it.

It's possible that an Autistic will be more subjective about it due to their having Autism. They may bend details to sugarcoat it, or change things about particular facts due to their own experience with it.

As such, I would choose the NT, as they will be operating entirely on what they have learned, and opinion will have nothing to do with it. I am not suggesting that an Autistic will defiantly be subjective, but there is a greater chance that they will be.

Delphiki
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24 May 2012, 8:15 am

Tyazii wrote:

Part of learning is working with people with autism, so NT's will also have experience with autism that does not line up with your own

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ToughDiamond
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24 May 2012, 8:20 am

Dunno. Both are blind in their own way. If the NT were VERY non-judgemental and honest, maybe that would be the way to go. I've heard that Aspie relationships can ONLY work if the partner is NT, and is able to become a good mentor. Don't know if it's true. Hope not.

edgewaters
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24 May 2012, 8:24 am

#2 seems to know the way from A to B from personal experience; I would say he has an edge over #1, who really only knows where B is located.

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24 May 2012, 8:41 am

Without a doubt, I'd rather receive help from a high-functioning individual who is trained in autism and is on the spectrum himself.

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24 May 2012, 8:42 am

ToughDiamond wrote:

I think they both can be helpful. I'd rather get help form someone who is experienced and has a sort of free-thinking style, meaning flexibility, empathy, imagination, and most of all, can be trusted. The chosen method is second to it, just as whether the person is NT or not.

I guess there are more NTs who'd fulfill the above criteria than autistics.

ooOoOoOAnaOoOoOoo
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24 May 2012, 8:47 am

homunculus420 wrote:

If someone is good at what they do, doesn't matter if they are NT or ASD. The important thing for me is they are good at their job and will help me out.

SpiritBlooms
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24 May 2012, 8:58 am

homunculus420 wrote:

It would depend on the individual.

I'm not certain that someone on the spectrum would understand me that much better, unless their AS manifested identically to mine, which is probably unrealistic to expect. But if I had the choice between the two, I'd likely give the high-functioning autistic a try first.

Ganondox
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24 May 2012, 10:07 am

ToughDiamond wrote:

It's not true.

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Tuttle
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24 May 2012, 10:44 am

I don't think I'd have a preference between the two other than which seems to match me personally the best.

Though I do think you should think of a third option - someone who doesn't have autism, but does have another disorder which has overlapping symptoms. My therapist has ADHD and specializes in ASDs, and her ADHD has helped her understand people with ASDs in different ways.

CuriousKitten
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24 May 2012, 10:55 am

without further criteria, I would query both and see which one best fits -- most likely the truth will lay between the two positions

The NT would be able to describe how things look from the outside, so I would value an NT's perspective of how my social skills are progressing

The Autie would be an excellent source on how to hack the social skills, or how to cope.

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24 May 2012, 11:33 am

homunculus420 wrote:

Who is a better source of help?

NTs will be better at building trust, which is essential to therapy/help.
HFA would be a better source if you need information, but not necessarily easier to relate to, since autism and how people experience it is highly individual(source: every biography written by a HFA).

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