I realize that autism can be, for some, such a burden that it becomes a significant disability. I am not speaking of that situation because I have no familiarity with it. So please don't take what follows as applying to that form of the disorder, because it's not how I meant it.
However, I'm on the spectrum. Maybe not the meaty part of the visible spectrum, but you can see it from here!
I would not change if offered. Yes, there are deficits that come with it. But usually there is a flipside. Like obsessive thinking - it can be a bear, but it's also solved some very hard problems for me!
Even not liking contact (though I like hugs from loved ones, just not surprises or strangers) has its benefits when walking in a crowd... I'm so aware of every tiny bump and jostle that I think it's unlikely I'll ever be pickpocketed.
People say I have "a flat affect" whatever the heck that means. But after knowing for 6 months its funny how that goes away and I am funny and entertaining. I don't change!
I dislike change - but this allows my wife to feed me my 1000th PB&J for lunch. So for each quirk there's an upside for me, even if I have to stretch sometimes to see it.
So, for those of you who have a loved one afflicted by it, remember that you may only see the negatives, while they enjoy (at least some) of the positives! Up to a point, at least!
BTW, nothing wrong with "social skills training". I suppose I had to learn at an early age that although I was absolutely fascinating to myself, other people had other topics of interest as well! Or how to feign caring about someone's cat story, that sort of thing. After all, even the "beautiful people" on TV have to get media training or they'll look silly!
However, I'm on the spectrum. Maybe not the meaty part of the visible spectrum, but you can see it from here!
I would not change if offered. Yes, there are deficits that come with it. But usually there is a flipside. Like obsessive thinking - it can be a bear, but it's also solved some very hard problems for me!
Even not liking contact (though I like hugs from loved ones, just not surprises or strangers) has its benefits when walking in a crowd... I'm so aware of every tiny bump and jostle that I think it's unlikely I'll ever be pickpocketed.
People say I have "a flat affect" whatever the heck that means. But after knowing for 6 months its funny how that goes away and I am funny and entertaining. I don't change!
I dislike change - but this allows my wife to feed me my 1000th PB&J for lunch. So for each quirk there's an upside for me, even if I have to stretch sometimes to see it.
So, for those of you who have a loved one afflicted by it, remember that you may only see the negatives, while they enjoy (at least some) of the positives! Up to a point, at least!
BTW, nothing wrong with "social skills training". I suppose I had to learn at an early age that although I was absolutely fascinating to myself, other people had other topics of interest as well! Or how to feign caring about someone's cat story, that sort of thing. After all, even the "beautiful people" on TV have to get media training or they'll look silly!