The fundamental difference between NTs and people with AS

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In my quest to become neurotypical, I have been studying NTs for the past 5 years. I have discovered what makes us view the the world so differently.

Just about everyone with AS has sensory issues. There is a biological reason for this. NTs have a "shield" around their brains that prevents them from being sensitive to the environment like we are. I am not sure what exactly allows NTs to have this "shield", but it probably has to be how their brains are wired. A good analogy would be wearing a motorcycle helmet.

This "shield" gives them a different personality and view of the world.

There is away to temporarily duplicate this shield. It is by being extremely relaxed. If you do yoga, it can give you this feeling. That is why I have mentioned before anxiety is a big enemy for us. We all have it whether you realize it or not.

It is also this motorcycle helmet of insensitivity that makes them for the most part so stupid. Intelligence is all about being aware of and being sensitive to the environment around you. Aspies take more in, think deeper, make more connections, and it is no wonder we are always overstimulated doing a stupid NT job talking to stupid NTs who do not think about anything interesting.

It is not the shield that gives them their view of the world it is their alternate brain structure that makes them not think independently and do dumb stuff. AS people are so accustomed to NT's being the norm that we fail to see how irrational their behaviour to the most part is and we start trying to emulate it. lol.

No offense to NT readers, as most of us even NT's are on the autism spectrum and since you are reading this you are more likely to be partly AS. Plus the benefits of being NT are pretty obvious. ( . ) ( . )

..and this would be similar to Michael Jackson's quest to become a white female?

It is not merely our sensory issues which make us different. Are you suggesting that is Albert Einstein had no sensory issues, he'd be mentally like one of those beach surfer guys on baywatch?

#1> No doubt this is why a lot of NTs are dumb. Intelligence is overrated though. There is a certain amount of intelligence needed to be successful in the world. Anything over that amount is useless. Look at Rain Man. A genius, but he could not even function in a any way. It doesn't get you laid, it doesn't make people want to be friends with you, and in reality doesn't help you get a job (unless it is a specialized intelligence). Most important, it doesn't lead to happiness. I wish I learned that earlier in life.

#2> What is the difference between shield and alternate brain structure? The shield is part of that alternate brain structure.



Sensory issues are fundamental to all of our differences. Being outgoing, humor, how we perceive things, intelligence etc. etc.

Amen.

In my 53 years of experience, NT's are by far more "simian" in character:

- They are meddlesome, and cannot keep their opposed thumbs to themselves;
- They are forever picking at you;
- They make a lot of noise;
- They throw tuurds;

And they call it being sociable and sporting.

.

There are advantages and disadvantage to being NT. The advantages outweigh the disadvanages in the world we live in.

Not sure who you've been hanging around with, but it sounds like somewhere I should steer clear of.

Now THIS is FUNNY!! !

I add this factor. Intelligent humor as a distinguishing quality.

Kevin, if you want to be in love with your little theory, fine. Great. Be in love with it.

I however reject it.

No need to get defensive. It's not an attack on you.

Whatever

Intelligence is not overrated. No amount of intelligence is ever wasted. There are more important things in life than being "successful". Think Jesus. Think Socrates. Rain man is not a genius in my opinion, and I think most AS people if they devoted their lives to consuming knowledge for no purpose because they had no desire for anything else could be like him.
Intelligence can get you laid but not because of your intelligence. Intelligence can influence your behavior which can then get you laid. Think neuro-linguistic programming. Intelligent people do this to themselves all the time. They regulate their behavior systems for whatever purpose they desire. The more intelligence usually the more ability for self control and more options available for "success".
After a certain amount of intelligence is possessed and after you realize that the chances of meeting anyone as smart as you are is pretty much nothing the importance of "friends" drops dramatically. Of course I am probably like a narcissist or shizoid or something because I can't relate to other people (NT's) very much at all or their struggles. Friends who don't respect you or want to spend time with you because you are different are not worth having. It would be nice if aspergers was the norm and we could all be friends.
Intelligence can lead to happiness. It can lead you to the wisdom that imparts maximum happiness. Think Nietzsche. Once you make up your mind to become happy no matter the circumstances and that the most important thing to you is to always be happy, you will always be happy. Once you have enough self respect to allow yourself to be happy without allowing outside circumstances to infringe upon your self image you will be happy. I think happiness is all about self respect/self-image and love for yourself and others.

Not all people with AS have "sensory issues".

Pretty much all of the AS people I know in real life have either:

a) No sensory issues

or

b) Sensory issues that are so mild, that they cause a mild annoyance, but nothing to throw a tantrum over

I don't really have any sensory issues. Actually, I have a high tolerance for pain, and I can tolerate minor disruptions to my daily schedule. My main problems are my lack of inter-personal skills, mental endurance, self-confidence, and general slowness of functioning in the social arena. Repeated failures in society turned me into a harmless sociopath. What love could you have for a society that keeps punching you in the stomach and frustrating any attempt you make to thrive in this world?

I think you have a point, and I especially agree with the part I bolded. Of course, this shield thing is not the ONLY difference, but you said it was the FUNDAMENTAL difference, and maybe you're right. And in response to some of the posts in this thread: I think, if AS people seem smarter, it's because their inability to process the world correctly (physically and/or mentally) forces them to think a lot harder. NT people seem to just streamline through it, so they're more relaxed and don't have to think quite as deeply about everything. (If they want to, though, they definitely can, and often do. It just doesn't always occur to them.) Is this part of what you mean by "shield", Kevin?

I don't think Rainman was a genius either. He was a savant and from what I understand savant's abilities don't come from conscious calculation, they literally "see" the answer, which fascinates me to no end. Actually I read recently that Kim Peek was not autistic. Anyway, wisdom trumps intelligence imho and the reason NTs rule the world is because there's more of them.For me, to try to be more NT would only be like learning a second language to make traveling in a foreign country easier, but there's no place like home.

There are a whole lot of generalisations on this thread. Human beings cannot be divided into binary categories of autistic/Aspie and NT. There is the question of defining NT. Among those who are not NT are people with ADHD and those who are mentally ill.

Uh, I don't know about that. I think intelligence is sexy