What is our greatest strength?
Considering us as a whole - all ASD on the spectrum, a huge melting pot of many strengths, many challenges,
with brains that are different (not deficient) from NTs, what do you think, overall, is the greatest strength of the ASD part of the human race? Not just your own greatest strength (though by all means, include that) but what you think applies to the whole spectrum, the most consistent outstanding strength of our group of humans.
My answers to kick this thread off:
My own best strength: relentless inquisitiveness for knowledge
ASD best strength: brilliance for innovation especially in science, writing, the arts
KingdomOfRats
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with brains that are different (not deficient) from NTs, what do you think, overall, is the greatest strength of the ASD part of the human race? Not just your own greatest strength (though by all means, include that) but what you think applies to the whole spectrum, the most consistent outstanding strength of our group of humans.
My answers to kick this thread off:
My own best strength: relentless inquisitiveness for knowledge
ASD best strength: brilliance for innovation especially in science, writing, the arts
interesting topic.
what society often considers to be difficulties/impairments/weaknesses are definite highly common strengths of autism; brutal honesty and inability to lie for so many [and usualy for those who can lie theyre crap at it], strong morals;will stick by their beliefs, dependable and trustworthy due to ToM impairment+ lacking understanding of social rules and not falling prey to peer pressure, able to feel their senses on a much higher level beyond the neurotypical realm, in many cases; having a deep care and understanding for animals etc.
mine woud be the care and love have got for animals,seeing them as better than humans.
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with brains that are different (not deficient) from NTs, what do you think, overall, is the greatest strength of the ASD part of the human race? Not just your own greatest strength (though by all means, include that) but what you think applies to the whole spectrum, the most consistent outstanding strength of our group of humans.
My answers to kick this thread off:
My own best strength: relentless inquisitiveness for knowledge
ASD best strength: brilliance for innovation especially in science, writing, the arts
interesting topic.
what society often considers to be difficulties/impairments/weaknesses are definite highly common strengths of autism; brutal honesty and inability to lie for so many [and usualy for those who can lie theyre crap at it], strong morals;will stick by their beliefs, dependable and trustworthy due to ToM impairment+ lacking understanding of social rules and not falling prey to peer pressure, able to feel their senses on a much higher level beyond the neurotypical realm, in many cases; having a deep care and understanding for animals etc.
mine woud be the care and love have got for animals,seeing them as better than humans.
I think the strength and weakness of the AS group as a whole are as diversified as are the strengths of NTs. It is highly individualistic and in the case of many on the spectrum our "hyper focus" on a particular or set of things that are of interest is what makes strong as a group. NTs typically lack this hyper focus that we have but we pay a price for having it. For most of us that is in the realm of our social deficits.
As far as animals being superior to humans I have to agree. They love unconditionally and are not judgmental nor do they seem to suffer forms of prejudice that is all too often found in humans.
It really sucks that are social deficiencies are a big barrier in are ability to get the most out of are strengths. At least for me, I could have had a career working for a legitimate company using my strengths. But instead, I found myself working for the mafia for 17 years. I just can't believe all the nonsense stuff that's goes into the interviews and resumes.
btbnnyr
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Thinking differently to innovate and pursuing interests intensely are strengths of people with high intelligence and autistic traits compared to highly intelligent neurotypical people, I think.
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mine woud be the care and love have got for animals,seeing them as better than humans.
This.
Also, when possible, we're very diligent workers. I have a small lawn business; I told a customer whom I've known for several years that I was diagnosed with Asperger's, and she said, "That's what we thought! My niece teaches children with special needs; I was talking to her about you and I said, 'She doesn't talk but she sure does work!' and my niece said 'Maybe its Asperger's, that's what they do.' So its not a surprise."
what society often considers to be difficulties/impairments/weaknesses are definite highly common strengths of autism; brutal honesty and inability to lie for so many [and usualy for those who can lie theyre crap at it], strong morals;will stick by their beliefs, dependable and trustworthy due to ToM impairment+ lacking understanding of social rules and not falling prey to peer pressure, able to feel their senses on a much higher level beyond the neurotypical realm, in many cases; having a deep care and understanding for animals etc.
All of this right here, not need for me to repeat it. A strength irl, reliability. Online, I'm known as the go to guy for an honest impartial opinion. Mods ask my opinion about stuff because of that.