Autistic or just a nerd?

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What is The difference between being autistic and just being a nerd?

I am on a list awaiting an assessment, so I will let you know when I find out.

Many things. Sensory things. Difficulty with social cues. Meltdowns. Shutdowns. Extreme resistance to change. Others.

People who are “just nerds” are usually only “different” because they are not in tune with the popular culture.

Some on the autistic spectrum don't experience meltdowns or shutdowns, but most do experience either one or both of these. (I get issues with what I believe to be mostly partial shutdowns).

Other traits... (Many of these other traits are also shared with people who are not autistic, but they are far more common with autistic people). Traits like overly sensitive skin or sensitive to bright lights (Not everyone experiences all traits as everyone is different) etc.
Other things like one may be intelligent, but concentrates on narrow fields and go into great depth where those who are not on the spectrum will more likely be general all rounders when it comes to subject matter.
Take a look at Youtube. Lots on there. Watch many different peoples videos because no one autistic person is the same as the next so each one has different traits.

I am wrestling with that also.

The other day I read my elementary school report cards from the second half of 1960s. They were quite consistent over the years. Above average in math and science, below average in communication and social skills. Well organized, punctual, very stubborn, with an aversion to participating in music, art and does not take criticism well.

Nothing in those report cards would scream spectrum disorder, just a strange little kid, who was bullied and kept to himself. What I remember most is my mother coming home from the teacher/parent conferences upset and crying. I felt so ashamed. The report cards do not seem to have much in them that would cause such a response.

Yeah. I was appropriate at school less appropriate at home. Like I would eat anything at school but I limited myself at home. This changed when I found out that I had to become rebel due to force feeding and turned down any meal at school due to this.

I'm a living proof that one can be autistic and cannot be nor even resemble a nerd at the same time.
Yet I can be if I have to or if it happens to.

Without needing to confuse between physicalities, sensitivities, sociality, preferences and intellect.
Or maybe because the label nerd doesn't exactly exists growing up, but still don't fit said definition of nerd just like many labels of personalities I've received.


I believe the main similarities of an autistic from a nerd, is common circumstances which makes it relatable from one another.
The rest can be debatable.

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