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What does your Autism mean to you?

Kitsune

Everyone experiences things differently, of that there is no doubt. I’d like to gain other people’s perspectives, to gain other people’s view on the neurotype which we have in common, Autism. Perhaps through sharing, we can gain insight and help each other, or perhaps it might just be cathartic for people to share, in any case:
What does your Autism mean to you? 

I’ll start by conveying what my Autism means to me:

My Autism means freedom, from expectations of fitting in with the majority of people. My Autism means that I’ve forgiven myself for being different/odd/weird. I am as I am, as long as I kind and caring towards others to the best of my ability then that is good enough for me. I do not need other people’s approval for the way my brain functions.

My Autism means that I’ve finally found where I belong. My diagnosis has opened up a world of other autistic people who ‘get it’, who I can speak with on the same level. It was of course, a world that was always there, I just didn’t realise that I belonged before.

My Autism means I have a unique insight into how my youngest daughter’s mind works (nearly 3, also Autistic, still pre-verbal). It means that I can read her, translate her non-verbal communication (which too be fair she’s pro at) into verbal communication for those that don’t understand her. My Autism means that I can advocate for her, with ‘inside knowledge’ to family, nursery staff, professionals, etc.

My Autism means that I can advocate for other Autistic people. At support groups for parents of Autistic children; When my Autistic friends are struggling to get to appointments or do other tasks.

My Autism means that I‘ve found a purpose building community within the Autistic population. It led me to start my group for other autistic women in my local area. Because members of any tribe  are stronger together as opposed to being dotted around on their own. Through this group I also learn about a lot of resources for both autistic adults and children and I signpost people who I meet, whether it is the lonely autistic adult who needs to find a social group or the parent who doesn’t know what to do to help their child.
I’d love to be able to take this whole advocacy thing further actually, to be able to make more of a difference to the access to resources for autistic people but this at present is just an idea.....

Parents

  • A mixed blessing. It has given me skills and focus, but it is also a bloody nuisance in that it has hindered social interaction including work and relationships. For everything it has given me, it has taken away another. 

  • in reply to Niemand

    Have you tried socialising with other autistic people? I find that this works much better Slight smile

  • in reply to Kitsune

    I've been socialising with autistic people my entire life unknowingly. I can look back and think of a few way before it was a thing. I'm currently visiting two guys who are almost certainly on the spectrum although undiagnosed. :) 

    I find other people's autistic behaviour sympathetic, annoying or bewildering depending on the circumstances. If we share the same interests, it's great. If we don't or of someone stims all the time, I find it really irritating and hard to tolerate.

    So, like I say, I see autism as both a good and bad thing, depending on how it manifests. 

    What I do find disturbing is how many autistic people don't have jobs, are homeless, commit suicide etc.  Schools, medical personnel and employers barely understand it. That is a tragedy. I despise the identity politics some autism activists espouse but we do need some campaigning on this issue... It's far more important than whether we say "autistic person" or "person with autism".

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  • in reply to Kitsune

    I've been socialising with autistic people my entire life unknowingly. I can look back and think of a few way before it was a thing. I'm currently visiting two guys who are almost certainly on the spectrum although undiagnosed. :) 

    I find other people's autistic behaviour sympathetic, annoying or bewildering depending on the circumstances. If we share the same interests, it's great. If we don't or of someone stims all the time, I find it really irritating and hard to tolerate.

    So, like I say, I see autism as both a good and bad thing, depending on how it manifests. 

    What I do find disturbing is how many autistic people don't have jobs, are homeless, commit suicide etc.  Schools, medical personnel and employers barely understand it. That is a tragedy. I despise the identity politics some autism activists espouse but we do need some campaigning on this issue... It's far more important than whether we say "autistic person" or "person with autism".

Children
  • in reply to Niemand

    Yes, since I’ve been diagnosed, of the friends that I had before my diagnosis, one of my friends has also been diagnosed. Another has self diagnosed and there’s another couple who are probably in the spectrum.

    I do think that life is harder for autistic people. That’s one thing that I’m starting to realise.