"Everyone is a little bit autistic"

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I've come across this type of assertion a few times and I don't really agree with it (I'm probably biased though, to be honest). To me, it kind of suggests that everyone is on the spectrum and that whether someone is considered autistic depends on where you draw the line.

What are your thoughts about this? Is this a "black-and-white thing" or does a gray area exist?
Do you know if there's a "scientific" or "objective" answer to this question?

I think there's a lot of gray, it's not black and white. Autistics all share something in common, however, that NTs do not. We receive too much sensory information and our brain can't correctly process that information. To me, that's the line in the sand that differentiates and autistic from an NT.

NTs tend fear the idea of being different when differing from others might be viewes negatively. So when a person makes a statement which might indicate worry over their own perceived negative differences, the instinct of the NT tends to be to attempt to normalize the situation.

Unfortunately when the individual making the statement is seeking support or understanding, or even acknowledgement of something they know to be true, the attempt by the NT to normalize can be received as negative invalidation.

I have heard people say "all men are a little autistic" before and I suppose that's like saying "all children are a little ADHD".

But I don't agree nor disagree with those statements. It's not the right way to describe groups of people but I suppose I'd accept it as a vague explanation. After all, typically most men express less emotion than women, and typically most kids are inattentive and hyper, which is the reason I hate kids. But, on the other hand, using an existing disorder to describe the human population is a little ridiculous, as it trivializes the whole disorder.

No, not everyone is a little autistic! I am the only person I've seen who doesn't have some objective disability, with traits that could be considered autistic. Everyone I know functions more or less normally. All things being equal, I am still well behind my peers in life experience.

I think one thing is certain. No one who takes an aspie quiz is going to score 100% NT.

^I agree, I think it's about right, logically. It's probably rare that a person is entirely neurotypical. But it depends who's saying it and where they're going with it. Watch out for the follow-up assertion: "you don't need any help from me." That's wishful thinking on their part, at best, a little bit of autism is rather different from a sizeable chunk of autism.

When I told my sister of my diagnosis, the first thing she said was "well, we're all a bit mad aren't we?" I felt a tad invalidated at the time but I don't think she meant it like that. She's always seemed to be afraid that I might not be able to look after myself. I think she knew nothing about ASD she made the honest mistake of thinking it was some mild mental illness or personality disorder, and was trying to reassure me that I was as mentally healthy as the next man.

I don't believe the types who say that.

Everyone is not a little autistic, that whole belief is utter garbage. You're either autistic or you're not. Simple as that.

That statement bothers me. It's invalidating and inaccurate. It ignores the struggles we deal with on a daily basis that the majority of NT's have no way of understanding. I don't really know why people say it, but I do know that if "everyone were a little autistic", we would have a lot more understanding and respect, and would face less discrimination and marginalization.

Sure, and everyone's a little diabetic, too, because we might have low blood sugar at times. The phrase is illogical. Everyone has characteristics that are comparable to autism, sure, but that correlation is not the same thing as being autistic. Autism is not just a collection of random traits. It has a specific cause, and I doubt that NT traits that just happen to coincide with its symptoms have anything to do with that cause in its extremity.

I've also seen the phrase used with poor intent more often than it's used as a tool to promote empathy. From what I've seen, it's most commonly applied thus: "Well, we're all a little autistic, so buck up and deal with it." My oldest sister came home from grad school with this phrase in her pocket, and my mom summarily tossed out any concerns she'd previously had over my traits. Because if everyone's autistic, my autistic traits aren't autistic, they're normal. It's a twisted rationale, but I think that's where the phrase came from: If everyone's autistic, no one's autistic, and we don't have to acknowledge it.

Everyone displays some autistic-like traits sometimes, but not everyone displays the traits to a degree that causes impairment. I can see how that statement could be invalidating, because it sort of trivializes the struggles that autistic people have and how we tend to feel different from others.

Intentional or not what the phrase is implying "I and so many others have overcome our autism and other disadvantages that every human has. Sure it is hard but unlike you, we don't whine and we try harder than you. So shut the f**k up and buckle down"

that's a good point but the "overwhelmed with sensory input" can happen in different diagnoses as well - case in point, adhd or other more specific learning 'difficulties'/ differences. I would argue perhaps there are clusters and the autism spectrum is a cluster of sorts with common sensory and developmental characteristics but i would not accept a black and white definition. We definitely need more research done on the subject!

also, from what i gather being on here women with autism have slight differences from men with autism.

I also wonder if people feel threatened by the idea of a spectrum which goes against the need for security and certainty that people on the spectrum seem to have (myself included - though I am not diagnosed yet!) I think that the fear of not being take seriously because "everyone is on a spectrum" is valid. I also think it's important to have a degree of flexibility without falling into 'spectrum relativism'. I think if people have difficulties in their daily lives due to sensory overload etc and have had these difficulties since young their experience of the world and whatever diagnosis they end up with is completely valid. we also need to be able to identify ourselves with the diagnosis - but that's another matter entirely.

Everybody has disabilities and talents.

Autism is a specific disability.

i agree with the sentiment but surely being diabetic is something you acquire over time while autism something you're born with?