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Is discussing what it is like to be Autistic with Neurotypical people an exercise in futility?

Edearl

Good Morning Everybody,

I have read all the threads posted recently with great interest, and one of the most consistent themes is the frustration and a lack of understanding of fundamental concepts of what it is like to be Autistic.

For context, I am forty-two and was diagnosed with an ASC a little of over a year ago, after an eight-year battle with so-called “experts”; and I have had a lifetime of Autistic related issues which went undiagnosed – my school reports are great inspirational comedy in hindsight.

Since receiving my diagnosis my experiences have been confusing at best and at times disgraceful and frankly insulting. I would be fascinated to hear people’s opinions, experiences and general feedback.

Thank you all for your time. 

Parents

  • I think I'd agree with you - even mental health professionals seem to have no clue. They seem to prefer dealing with low-functioning patients because they are easier to push around and medicate. Anyone who challenges their god-like abilities are quickly fobbed off as 'resistant' to their amazing cures.

    I met one a couple of days ago who told me he was going to be a surgeon but decided to go into psychiatry. I guess because the work of a surgeon is directly measurable by patient survival/operational success. Psychiatry is not possible to measure. Success has no performance indicators - so as long as all the patients are sufficiently drugged up, everyone's a winner.

    NTs seem to prefer low-functioning people too - they are easier to look down on and pity. Anyone high-functioning is close enough to NT most of the time to be ignored - but get treated with suspicion when their autie-traits pop out every now & then.

  • in reply to Plastic

    Morning Plastic,

    Thank you for your reply. I completely and utterly agree with what you have said. For the record, I am not a whiny type or am I out for sympathy - exactly the same as every other ASPIE that I have had discussions with. I have no desire to oust Neurotypicals so ASPIE's can be dominant. I just want a constructive debate, which includes REAL consideration to my opinions and the outcome is of some use to me. 

    My experiences are extremely similar to yours, low functioning = receptive, high functioning = difficult and resistant to change.

    A great story of my recent issues: I made a formal complaint to my University as to the complete lack of Autistic facilities and understanding for students with an ASC. I was invited to a meeting to discuss the matter, which was held in a room six foot square with people sitting around me in a triangular fashion (about two feet away on each side) after ten minutes of continual questions being barked at me I couldn't take it anymore, so I walked out. The official outcome, a refusal on my part to integrate with the complaints procedure and difficult behaviour! Dumbstruck!!

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  • in reply to Plastic

    Morning Plastic,

    Thank you for your reply. I completely and utterly agree with what you have said. For the record, I am not a whiny type or am I out for sympathy - exactly the same as every other ASPIE that I have had discussions with. I have no desire to oust Neurotypicals so ASPIE's can be dominant. I just want a constructive debate, which includes REAL consideration to my opinions and the outcome is of some use to me. 

    My experiences are extremely similar to yours, low functioning = receptive, high functioning = difficult and resistant to change.

    A great story of my recent issues: I made a formal complaint to my University as to the complete lack of Autistic facilities and understanding for students with an ASC. I was invited to a meeting to discuss the matter, which was held in a room six foot square with people sitting around me in a triangular fashion (about two feet away on each side) after ten minutes of continual questions being barked at me I couldn't take it anymore, so I walked out. The official outcome, a refusal on my part to integrate with the complaints procedure and difficult behaviour! Dumbstruck!!

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