I was told recently by a rocket science that I may have a form of high-functioning autism; he said his wife has it and that it can be a form of super intelligence. I totally relate to a lot of what you've said here and I really am beginning to consider that I may have autism. As you said, that hyper-focus can be awesome because you can quickly grow familiar with complex topics and educate yourself. It just sucks to constantly be thinking about either biology, theology, LOTR, smoking pipes, superheroes, etc. and have it take up ALL of my mental capacity. You seem like a very normal person, very sociable, and very intelligent. Thank you for your encouragement!
I agree with most of what you said. But I do not agree that autism would not be a disability if society was different. This might be true for you but it is not true for all autistic people. I am disabled by my executive functioning and hyperfocusing whether I am alone or around other people. I am mostly around other neurodivergent people. So my socializing is ok. Setting up society differently would definitely help me but I would still have problems with executive functioning and hyperfocusing.
I'm confused because all normal introvert traits are suddenly autistic traits nowdays.... In my opinion it seem pretty insulting for really autistic people and their families who are struggling with things most of the people cant even imagine.... I just can't help myself, sorry. (I'm just deeply introverted and sensitive and I can relate to people on youtube who call themselves autistic. I don't understand what is so autistic about them.. I don't quite buy it......)
I understand the confusion, because autism has normally been portrayed as 'extreme' reactions in media, or people only tend to be identified as autistic when they have extremely high support needs/have trouble communicating their needs. Of course traits of introversion aren't necessarily indicative of having or not having autism (in fact, a lot of autistic people are extraverted and love talking to others!), it's just that introversion in combination with some of the other traits listed by Sydney could be indicative of autism. It's important to note that many people are only 'suddenly' autistic now because there is more awareness of autistic struggles. Many people have suffered without knowing what is causing their suffering, and are able to get by via masking, because non-masked autistic behaviour is often drilled out of autistic folk in childhood. This isn't meant as a put-down! I just hope that you're able to re-consider what you imagine autism to look like and recognize the other symptoms that come along with autism, outside of 'introversion' :~)
@@zaenaschannel thanks for your elaborated respond. If it's true than I wish that one day I can be able to understand the core difference between autism and "normal" problems that people have. Because people are often talking just about the traits which they have because of their autism but they don't explain HOW actually autistic brain works and what is the core of that neurotypical-autistic brain difference. Its good to getting more educated but it makes me sad when some normal people be like "Oh I don't like loud noises so it means I'm actually autistic!" And also when someone (even autistic people) use their autism as a "cool quirky trendy image" so they can feel more "interesting" and "special" than neurotypicals. And when some of them act like THEY has the most difficult lives while being neurotypical is like living the most utopical easiest life with no mental problems or quirks and that neurotypicals cannot possibly have some social difficulties too. (Which Is quite offensive to me...). I can't help myself but I often have this feeling when I'm watching videos and reading comments on UA-cam. Self acceptance Is good. But I don't like when people start making a cult of something for which they were ashamed before. Because Its like jumping from some extreme to anothere extreme. I like Mindfull divergence channel thought. I think she has the right attitude. (Sorry for my bad english if so) Have a nice day :)
@@Yellow.Blossom23 Your english is excellent, no need to worry! And I understand the feeling that autism/neurodivergence is becoming more prevalent. I think that some people who are neurodivergent can lose sight of neurotypical struggles or downplay them because their personal struggles are so intense. I also think that sometimes neurodivergent people can become extremely invested in their neurodivergence once they find out it's been the source of a lot of their problems. But I think that a lot of this is coming from a place of reclaiming what it means to be neurodivergent, and feeling more comfortable in one's skin (even if some Neurodivergent people can go a bit overboard with it!). I think that important things to keep in mind is that 1) the loudest people tend to represent communities, even if those people are in the minority. 2) Learning what's been at the source of your struggles can be an amazing experience, and sometimes people can focus in on it because it's been so pervasive for so long. (Also, autistic people are known to focus in on ideas and talk about them a lot! The internet gives them a place to do that without worrying about annoying any one person). 3) Finally, autistic people can be extremely passionate, which might be why this seems like it's jumping from one extreme to another! Finally, I understand the frustration that people are 'watering down' autism by feeling as though common Neurotypical experiences are actually autistic. But keep in mind that having empathy for people who are misunderstanding what autism is can be very important to educating them. The exploration phase is key for everyone, even if they end up being neurotypical, because it destigmatizes autism and allows everyone to feel comfortable in exploring different identities! Sorry this is so long! I just wanted to say I appreciate your kind and non-confrontational response, and I hope you have a great day as well!
Just add to introvert traits, also HSP (Highly sensitive person), Alexithymia, Sensory processing disorder and misophonia traits and not understanding social cues, avoiding eye contact, a need of routine etc. and then you are getting closer to describing an autistic person. Autistic people can be introverts too but it does not mean that introvert equals autistic. And not everybody is "really autistic" if you mean ASD Level 3.
![Internalized Ableism (& How To Cope) [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3YhUGaF_E8o/mqdefault.jpg)
![Internalized Ableism (& How To Cope) [CC]](/img/tr.png)
Oh thanks so much! I have just been diagnosed age 40 and this is such a clear explanation, I will be sending it to my friends and family.
I was told recently by a rocket science that I may have a form of high-functioning autism; he said his wife has it and that it can be a form of super intelligence. I totally relate to a lot of what you've said here and I really am beginning to consider that I may have autism. As you said, that hyper-focus can be awesome because you can quickly grow familiar with complex topics and educate yourself. It just sucks to constantly be thinking about either biology, theology, LOTR, smoking pipes, superheroes, etc. and have it take up ALL of my mental capacity. You seem like a very normal person, very sociable, and very intelligent. Thank you for your encouragement!
I agree with most of what you said. But I do not agree that autism would not be a disability if society was different. This might be true for you but it is not true for all autistic people. I am disabled by my executive functioning and hyperfocusing whether I am alone or around other people. I am mostly around other neurodivergent people. So my socializing is ok. Setting up society differently would definitely help me but I would still have problems with executive functioning and hyperfocusing.
I'm confused because all normal introvert traits are suddenly autistic traits nowdays.... In my opinion it seem pretty insulting for really autistic people and their families who are struggling with things most of the people cant even imagine.... I just can't help myself, sorry. (I'm just deeply introverted and sensitive and I can relate to people on youtube who call themselves autistic. I don't understand what is so autistic about them.. I don't quite buy it......)
I understand the confusion, because autism has normally been portrayed as 'extreme' reactions in media, or people only tend to be identified as autistic when they have extremely high support needs/have trouble communicating their needs.
Of course traits of introversion aren't necessarily indicative of having or not having autism (in fact, a lot of autistic people are extraverted and love talking to others!), it's just that introversion in combination with some of the other traits listed by Sydney could be indicative of autism.
It's important to note that many people are only 'suddenly' autistic now because there is more awareness of autistic struggles. Many people have suffered without knowing what is causing their suffering, and are able to get by via masking, because non-masked autistic behaviour is often drilled out of autistic folk in childhood.
This isn't meant as a put-down! I just hope that you're able to re-consider what you imagine autism to look like and recognize the other symptoms that come along with autism, outside of 'introversion' :~)
@@zaenaschannel thanks for your elaborated respond. If it's true than I wish that one day I can be able to understand the core difference between autism and "normal" problems that people have. Because people are often talking just about the traits which they have because of their autism but they don't explain HOW actually autistic brain works and what is the core of that neurotypical-autistic brain difference.
Its good to getting more educated but it makes me sad when some normal people be like "Oh I don't like loud noises so it means I'm actually autistic!" And also when someone (even autistic people) use their autism as a "cool quirky trendy image" so they can feel more "interesting" and "special" than neurotypicals. And when some of them act like THEY has the most difficult lives while being neurotypical is like living the most utopical easiest life with no mental problems or quirks and that neurotypicals cannot possibly have some social difficulties too. (Which Is quite offensive to me...).
I can't help myself but I often have this feeling when I'm watching videos and reading comments on UA-cam.
Self acceptance Is good. But I don't like when people start making a cult of something for which they were ashamed before. Because Its like jumping from some extreme to anothere extreme.
I like Mindfull divergence channel thought. I think she has the right attitude.
(Sorry for my bad english if so)
Have a nice day :)
@@Yellow.Blossom23 Your english is excellent, no need to worry! And I understand the feeling that autism/neurodivergence is becoming more prevalent. I think that some people who are neurodivergent can lose sight of neurotypical struggles or downplay them because their personal struggles are so intense. I also think that sometimes neurodivergent people can become extremely invested in their neurodivergence once they find out it's been the source of a lot of their problems. But I think that a lot of this is coming from a place of reclaiming what it means to be neurodivergent, and feeling more comfortable in one's skin (even if some Neurodivergent people can go a bit overboard with it!).
I think that important things to keep in mind is that 1) the loudest people tend to represent communities, even if those people are in the minority. 2) Learning what's been at the source of your struggles can be an amazing experience, and sometimes people can focus in on it because it's been so pervasive for so long. (Also, autistic people are known to focus in on ideas and talk about them a lot! The internet gives them a place to do that without worrying about annoying any one person). 3) Finally, autistic people can be extremely passionate, which might be why this seems like it's jumping from one extreme to another!
Finally, I understand the frustration that people are 'watering down' autism by feeling as though common Neurotypical experiences are actually autistic. But keep in mind that having empathy for people who are misunderstanding what autism is can be very important to educating them. The exploration phase is key for everyone, even if they end up being neurotypical, because it destigmatizes autism and allows everyone to feel comfortable in exploring different identities!
Sorry this is so long! I just wanted to say I appreciate your kind and non-confrontational response, and I hope you have a great day as well!
Just add to introvert traits, also HSP (Highly sensitive person), Alexithymia, Sensory processing disorder and misophonia traits and not understanding social cues, avoiding eye contact, a need of routine etc. and then you are getting closer to describing an autistic person. Autistic people can be introverts too but it does not mean that introvert equals autistic. And not everybody is "really autistic" if you mean ASD Level 3.