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Do you think there are any POSITIVE symptoms of autism?

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banana247
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27 Apr 2018, 11:28 am

Loyalty, honesty, objectivity... and, best of all, being childlike! I'm pretty sure I have more fun than most people during the mundane thanks to fidgeting, bouncing, dancing, making crazy sounds, etc :D :D :D

Also, drive! I can dog-on-a-bone something and get it done like NOBODY'S business! :D



madcats1967
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27 Apr 2018, 12:30 pm

You can blurt out whatever you want and say : "sorry, ASD", a bit like Tourette :twisted:
You can hide behind your ASD : "No, I can't manage that family gathering"
Your partner can hide behind your ASD : "No, my wife can't manage that family gathering"


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Last edited by madcats1967 on 27 Apr 2018, 12:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

MalchikBrodyaga
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27 Apr 2018, 12:34 pm

katy_rome wrote:
I'm thinking about the POSITIVE Symptoms of Autism!! I'd like to write an article on it.

To give you an idea, here are some of my ideas so far:

- Hyper-memory and concentration (on things of interest),
- Hyper-perception and empathy (sometimes expressed in unusual ways),
- Questioning and always looking for the ‘why’ of things,
- Non-conformism,
- Lack of ‘self-discipline’ (in the limited sense we use it these days.. i.e. what other people think you should do!) and resistance to being 'improved' or hiding true self

Obviously it's hard and there are 2 sides to these things, but it's just I think the positive is nearly always overlooked.

So your input would be very much appreciated!
(all ideas, no matter how wild) 8O


Maybe use a different word. The term "positive symptoms" have been used for schizophrenia, in reference to delusions and hallucinations. As you see, these are not "positive" in a good sense but rather in a sense that "negative" means "lack of something" (social isolation, common to schizophrenia) and "positive" means "presence of something" (presence of delusions and hallucinations). Clearly, that's not what you want to mean in case of autism.



katy_rome
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30 Apr 2018, 4:20 am

Misery wrote:
Joe90 wrote:
Plus some of these are personality traits.


Ah, but arent our personalities in huge part defined BY the condition?

The core of the whole thing is that it affects the way we think. Our brains are wired differently, affecting us as a whole. It's not like it affects just one extremely specific part of you.

With all that different core wiring... these seem like more than just "personality" traits to me.

The idea of non-conformity. It's true, NTs can be like this as well (even if it is incredibly, INCREDIBLY rare). I dont know about anyone else though, but for me, I dont have the slightest doubt that the reason I dont conform is because of autism. It's DEFINITELY that. I simply dont have the bizarre instinctive need to fit in. I dont have that desire to conform; it's literally not there. Also because of that different wiring, I'm immune to peer pressure... always have been. While NTs can sometimes have those aspects as a natural part of their personality, in my case, it's directly hardwired there. Even if I decided "you know I want to try out this conforming thing just to see what happens" I wouldnt actually be able to do it... my mind literally just doesnt function that way.

So that aspect of my personality is, in fact, an aspect of my autism as well.


Also keep in mind: The way you're thinking on this one can apply to the negative traits too. How much of THOSE are truly the fault of autism... and how many are ACTUALLY the fault of the person, but with them being unable to admit to or acknowledge it? NTs arent the only ones that tend to have the "blame everything else but myself" mentality... that can apply to anyone, even us. My point is, this all goes both ways, and I think that's important to keep in mind. With so many "woe is me" threads all over this site... it's nice to see a more positive one like this. Anything that might help even one person spot some of the good traits they do have, instead of just focusing on the bad, seems worth it to me.


Yes this is how I see it too. The non-conformism thing is a very big one for me. I think autistic minds literally do not work like that, and I think it's a huge positive.
(I mean, is that REALLY a good idea to do something... 'because everyone does'??? How is that logic?)



katy_rome
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30 Apr 2018, 4:22 am

MalchikBrodyaga wrote:
katy_rome wrote:
I'm thinking about the POSITIVE Symptoms of Autism!! I'd like to write an article on it.

To give you an idea, here are some of my ideas so far:

- Hyper-memory and concentration (on things of interest),
- Hyper-perception and empathy (sometimes expressed in unusual ways),
- Questioning and always looking for the ‘why’ of things,
- Non-conformism,
- Lack of ‘self-discipline’ (in the limited sense we use it these days.. i.e. what other people think you should do!) and resistance to being 'improved' or hiding true self

Obviously it's hard and there are 2 sides to these things, but it's just I think the positive is nearly always overlooked.

So your input would be very much appreciated!
(all ideas, no matter how wild) 8O


Maybe use a different word. The term "positive symptoms" have been used for schizophrenia, in reference to delusions and hallucinations. As you see, these are not "positive" in a good sense but rather in a sense that "negative" means "lack of something" (social isolation, common to schizophrenia) and "positive" means "presence of something" (presence of delusions and hallucinations). Clearly, that's not what you want to mean in case of autism.


Oh I see. Hmm that's not so good. Maybe i need to re-think the wording... thanks for letting me on to this. Thinking about it now.



katy_rome
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30 Apr 2018, 4:24 am

madcats1967 wrote:
You can blurt out whatever you want and say : "sorry, ASD", a bit like Tourette :twisted:
You can hide behind your ASD : "No, I can't manage that family gathering"
Your partner can hide behind your ASD : "No, my wife can't manage that family gathering"


That is a cool 'positive'
:P

....and you know what? I've totally used this... 'sorry, me and my son... we're a bit autistic in this, we just can't do it'. Wow, the reaction is just great. No-one pushes you at all, they stop right in their tracks and look completely nonplussed :lol:



katy_rome
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30 Apr 2018, 4:27 am

banana247 wrote:
Loyalty, honesty, objectivity... and, best of all, being childlike! I'm pretty sure I have more fun than most people during the mundane thanks to fidgeting, bouncing, dancing, making crazy sounds, etc :D :D :D

Also, drive! I can dog-on-a-bone something and get it done like NOBODY'S business! :D


Yes lovely. Agree.

I like this one especially: fun, spontaneity.

and maybe also not caring too much what everyone thinks, all the time. I think it sets everyone else around you free a bit too so has the potential to improve everyone's lives and change their reality a little.



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30 Apr 2018, 9:55 am

Here's an idea; instead of "positive symptoms", how about positive characteristics?

As for mine... I can't say which of these characteristics are due to ASD, but here goes nothing...

*Lots of physical strength and horsepower, despite below average agility and coordination.
*Not jumping on bandwagons just because everyone jumped on them (aka not being concerned with popular trends)
*Leading right off the previous point, being able to take popular sayings both literally and how they're actually meant to be taken, often for the purpose of...
*...making puns. It's very rare that I'll go more than ten minutes without making a pun of some sort, which makes others think I'm...
*...an excellent speaker. I can talk about even the most mundane thing and keep everyone interested in the subject matter.
*An almost innate ability to look at a relatively complex machine and understand what everything in it's for, meaning that I'm...
*...a great handyman, a quality that's becoming harder and harder to come by these days, but my innate abilities aren't limited to mechanics, I also have an almost innate ability for...
*... organic chemistry. Apparently it's the most hated subject by most students entering medical school, but to me, nothing comes easier, but a close second is...
*...understanding meteorology, with a specific focus on tracking Atlantic hurricanes, this started nearly fifteen years ago after the strongest hurricane Canada had seen in a century struck my home-town.
*Lastly, I've a broad range of interests other than those I've mentioned above, including, but not limited to, Maritime history, geography/geology of Nova Scotia, Canadian cartography, Lord of the Rings, being outdoors, I'd better stop now or else this list will get too long...

These aren't narrow sense positives though, so, seeing that it's a rainy day, I'll keep on trucking for a moment (now I really hope you folks are rainy day people). Some positives in a narrow sense are:
*Rather good concentration
*Usually honest, but I might not tell the entire truth all the time
*A good memory... for some things (3D stuff)
*Don't waste excessive amounts of time socialising when there's work to be done
*Relatively careful, I'm not the guy who will pass every car in sight to get somewhere five minutes earlier
*Ability to enjoy the small things in life
*There really aren't any other Glflegolas's out there. If you don't like one aspect of me, but like the rest, it'll be rather challenging to find a replacement
*Focus on stuff that's practical, as opposed to looking great. As long as it looks presentable, and works great, I'm in. I'd much rather drive an old, slightly rusted pickup truck with a few dents than a brand new flashy sports car.
*Finally, I think that I am less likely to judge a book by it's cover, when it comes to other people.


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Gallia
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30 Apr 2018, 10:44 am

from my experience of having friends on the spectrum I have observed the following:

* loyalty - I really feel I can trust my aspie friends more than non aspies. I think it's because they are generally honest and direct which is a trait I find absolutely admirable. they will also not gossip behind your back.

* generosity - my friend once gave me £200 to help me make my art. I only asked friends and family for small donations to buy some equipment and he decided to give that amount which was generous to say the least! Especially seeing as he's also a student.

* interesting / creative - I always like chatting to people who have their own viewpoints and interests.

* a bit crazy - I like crazy people.


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30 Apr 2018, 11:00 am

All I find positive about my ASD is the traits I have NOT got.


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Gallia
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30 Apr 2018, 12:47 pm

banana247 wrote:
Loyalty, honesty, objectivity... and, best of all, being childlike! I'm pretty sure I have more fun than most people during the mundane thanks to fidgeting, bouncing, dancing, making crazy sounds, etc :D :D :D

Also, drive! I can dog-on-a-bone something and get it done like NOBODY'S business! :D


sounds pretty awesome ^-^


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CockneyRebel
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30 Apr 2018, 12:52 pm

I have good artistic abilities, I'm passionate about my interests, I have a strong ability to focus for a long time and I have a photographic memory.


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katy_rome
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01 May 2018, 7:01 am

Gallia wrote:
from my experience of having friends on the spectrum I have observed the following:

* loyalty - I really feel I can trust my aspie friends more than non aspies. I think it's because they are generally honest and direct which is a trait I find absolutely admirable. they will also not gossip behind your back.

* generosity - my friend once gave me £200 to help me make my art. I only asked friends and family for small donations to buy some equipment and he decided to give that amount which was generous to say the least! Especially seeing as he's also a student.

* interesting / creative - I always like chatting to people who have their own viewpoints and interests.

* a bit crazy - I like crazy people.


Yes, loyal.. generous (had not got that, but i think you're right... there's something about spontaneity and really believing in things... haha besides status and money i mean, the usual these days).

Open-minded, crazy. Love it. Why are not more people crazy, huh?!?



katy_rome
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01 May 2018, 7:07 am

Glflegolas, that is all fantastic thanks so much!! !

Indeed it is raining today :-)

You have written some great stuff in here and given me lots of ideas.. I particularly like 'not wasting time socialising', my goodness that is too true! I think people.. no-one...not even NTs, do not even enjoy all that endless chatting and droning-on meetings anyway. So totally pointless. Why do they do it?

Many people forget to ask that little question 'why?'. Maybe with the exception of children.

Anyway what is organic chemistry?
(if it's still rainy :D )



katy_rome
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01 May 2018, 7:16 am

And, thanks for that suggestion about the title! Hm perhaps 'characteristics' would be better.

It does seem 'symptoms' is a little controversial. maybe also giving the wrong idea. Although having said that sometimes controversial is not all bad.... as it tends to attract people's attention. And I quite like being annoyingly ironic.

Think I need to give this one a bit more thought...



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01 May 2018, 8:10 am

Combining quotes from your two posts here:

katy_rome wrote:
Post 1
Anyway what is organic chemistry?

Post 2
And I quite like being annoyingly ironic.
Think I need to give this one a bit more thought...


Post 1
Organic chemistry, is, in a nutshell, the study of the chemistry of all compounds containing carbon. There are over 20 million unique described organic chemicals according to Google, although that's probably a gross underestimate, as the chemical abstracts services lists tens of millions (according to their website). Here's a summary of organic chemistry to keep this post short.

Post 2
Yes, thinking before doing something is generally not a bad idea. Being annoyingly ironic leads to clickbaity titles... which are fine, so long as what's inside is good. It's when a clickbaity title leads to a whole bunch of misinformation that it becomes a problem.


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