Observations from an Autistic on how we are viewed

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So, I just wanted to bring up somethings I have noticed in how people like me are viewed and spoken about.

I am a 35 year old Autistic. I have been a Autism Self Advocate, mentor, and speaker on Autism Rights and Autism itself for over a decade.

When I go into a Christian forum and I see posts about explaining to a autistic why they can’t work it breaks my heart.

Many good meaning people follow the lead of the Medical Model and the thing is, it’s wrong! Dehumanizing and wrong.

I have delved into with families I mentor the whole “cannot work issue”. Fact of the matter is this should be based on a case by case basis.

There are those, like me, who can and should have jobs. Do I have difficulties? Sure I do. But to grow as a person it is vital that I take myself out of my comfort zone. Be social and engage with others even when it becomes difficult.

Having a job is one of the things that made me as able as I am.

My disability maybe makes it more difficult to maintain a job but not impossible.

Will continue with this thread later. 🙂
 
Hey there. I am on the autism spectrum myself, and I totally get what you’re saying. Welcome, I would like to join you in this discussion
 
I legitimately prefer to refer to myself as autistic, I don’t like what non-autistic people tell me to call myself. Are you familiar with Father Matthew Schneider? He’s an autistic priest, and he discusses that. I know you were talking to the OP, I just have to give my two cents, because I love making sure everyone knows my opinion.
 
That’s just arguing semantics though. I don’t think it really matters which way it is said, it means the same thing in the end.
 
I’ve known several autistic people and several parents of autistic children, and they all seem to have pretty strong opinions on what term is used to refer to autistic people and other positions with respect to autistic people (like some of them really did not like the positions taken by “Autism Speaks”). I don’t think we can make any blanket pronouncements because it seems to be highly individualistic preferences; the autistic people and parents of autistic children were not all in agreement with each other.

As for autistic people holding a job, it depends on the person and the job, I would imagine. My company (software) actively hires autistic people and adapts the work environment to their needs. Since I spent a lot of my career in STEM, there have always been some very skilled autistic people working in tha field, and I also suspect that in previous decades there were a lot of people who today might be diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum but back then were just considered a little odd or quirky.

I am not aware of anyone who goes around claiming that autistic people in general can’t hold jobs or shouldn’t hold jobs, and if they are, to me that would just show that they don’t know much about the subject and probably haven’t had a very broad work experience.
 
Because Autism is not something I have, it is not separate from me. It’s a part of me. Like other aspects of me it makes up who I am. It is not merely a condition I have.

It is part of what makes up my whole person. Is it the most important thing? No. But it is no different than saying one is a certain race. It’s not the most important thing about the person but informs their unique experience of being a human being.
 
I think that’s how I feel about it. If you separated me from being autistic, I would no longer be me.
 
An interest group seemingly resentful of labels, dictating how others should be labeled.

You would be amazed at what people are capable of, when not written off as helpless, dependent victims. Respectfully, this is a general statement as I know nothing about your son’s specific situation. Nonetheless, there is nothing wrong with periodic reevaluation.
 
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Respectfully, I was replying to you in defense of how the OP chose to identify herself. I see that you edited, so I’ll leave it at that. I like you Cajun, and I certainly didn’t mean to be inappropriate . Peace.
 
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I have no way to know what it’s not like, to me it just is
 
Undiagnosed but pretty sure I am on the spectrum. What many folks do not understand is that it is not like cancer where you have it or you do not. It is a spectrum.

Carried badge and gun for 31 years and did fairly well. Never got shot and never shot anyone else, although legally I had many chances.

What I do note is that my manner of expression and sense of humor are not always understood here. I do have to go back and explain things from time to time.

Being left-handed probably does not help.
 
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It could be because to the average lay person, they tend to view high functioning as “Aspergers”, whereas “Autism” brings up a mental picture of somebody stimming and not interacting.

And unfortunately, there are people who self diagnose and go around telling people they’re on the Spectrum (which doesn’t help themselves or persons with a bona fide diagnosis).

I have a brother and a nephew on the spectrum, BTW
 
It was my Aunt that noticed that my diagnosis of ADD didn’t quite fit. I wasn’t hyper active or have issues with paying attention. So she did some research and I fit all the signs of Aspergers Syndrome.

So she took me to get evaluated and I was rediagnosed. Living with her was difficult. She believed the doctors that said that I would always need help and could never fully live on my own, go to college or have a normal job or life.

I was placed in an assisted living apartment straight out of high school and put on food stamps, social security and Medicaid. I had to fight for 6 years for the right to work full time and live on my own.

She is still baffled I went to college, live on my own successfully and have maintained a full time job. As to what I have accomplished in my state politically for Auties in my state, it’s like her mind doesn’t even register it.

My opposition to certain Autism research baffles her too. Read some of the laws they try to pass. It’s thinly veiled eugenics! Years ago in a hunt for the smoking gun for Downs they found what caused it and how to test for it in the womb.

Since then, 70% of Downs children are aborted. They are now trying to do this with Autism and a lot of us Auties are horrorfied of the implacations! I wish it was a subject more touched on in the Pro Life movement.

But anyway. I find people over or underestimate my abilities. Rarely do they reach the mark
 
Imagine, if you would, thinking completely based on logic, devoid of emotion. Decisions made based on the facts at hand instead of how we feel about a situation.

Being able to taste color and hear texture. To be in a grocery store and have senses so finely tuned that not only can you hear the florescent lights but they seem so loud they hurt your ears.

Imagine being so sensitive to touch that a friendly embrace is as painful as a punch (for some, not all.) Imagine being bombarded by the emotions and illogic of those around you to the point it feels as though you are being punched repeatedly in the face.

Imagine being so dependent on routine that the slightest change causes everything between panic to moving around all day with your mind in a haze.

Imagine being able to hyper focus, to the point you can and do absorb everything about a favorite subject to the point you can correct college professors.

That’s a little snippet into what’s it’s like for me.
 
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