Published on 12, July, 2020
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.....
Sorry i only just saw this. Yeah that didn't work out for me but thankyou for wishing me well anyway. :)
Humans can be a total waste of space. No other species on the planet can match us for cruelty, destructiveness, wastefulness, lust for power.
It really can be unfair. Most people here are intelligent and compassionate. Perhaps even more so that some NTS. I hope you feel better tommorow.
Because I saw this post today, and today is a bad day, autism means I get confused, miserable, I panic, I hate myself. I look in the mirror and I see an ugly person with a bad posture. A weirdo, a loser, a mug. A total waste of space.
I suppose I was self-diagnosed for a while but it might benefit you to get confirmation. I have learnt a lot of things since my official diagnosis that I never knew before. It will also allow you access to certain services you don't have already. The waiting period is a pain in the bum without a doubt though.
Before diagnosis I was like a squished up Jack in the box, going through the diagnostic process was like pushing against the edges of the box trying to find and work out how to release the lid. Receiving the final diagnosis was like finally finding and pushing open the lid. I then sprang up and bounced around chaotically all over the place. I'm now getting to the stage thank goodness where I can bop around just being me.
Hope this analogy makes sense to others....
You are a blessing for me,thank you for the time you spent to leave this comment.I think my son who is 1 year znd 7 months may have autism,he has some of the simptoms,and i am verry down in the last time,i never knew the truth about autism.I hope he will be able to speak and have a great life like you do.God bless you and your family
For me it's a wall, just tall enough for me to see over but not to climb, viewing strangers being strange together and not knowing how or why they are strange, but only that behind the wall I am a stranger too.
I have also certainly experienced loneliness and rejection at times but I never understood why.
I am finding that there appears to be a preference towards autistic led support groups for a number of other autistic people. They feel such an environment is like their sanctuary, where they can truely be themselves without fear of prejudice or discrimination. It’s given me purpose too, and a sense of direction. There is indeed a huge service deficit in autistic individuals, especially those of us distracted as adults. On key element of my group is the sharing of resources and how other people have managed to access support, because it is incredibly difficult to access but, I am learning, it can be done :-)
Where there’s a will there’s a way, that’s what I always say
It seems like a good idea to write a book. What might you write about?
That’s a shame that you seem to be plagued by the negative side of autism. Are you able to access any support at all?
What do you fear? Are there any local autism social groups that you could attend?
A S D, all your life, Its a damn, (polite word)
hard life
for soooo many reasons, so buckle up.I could tell you so, so, so, so, much more!
㋡
Ƨ Ϯe phӭ Ӣ
I have been looking around the various autistic advocacy groups, and they are certainly a mixed bag. I appreciate that some people are into word games, wearing badges and pride festivals, but I'm not. We need a kind of trade union, not the identity politics which has failed elsewhere.
Hi! My autism (self-diagnosed) means fear and loneliness... that's one of the reasons i joined the group.
I will get better.
please do. I have just read one written by a japan guy with non-verbal autism -- "Fall down 6 times get up 7" its very good I am sending copies to some parents I know, so they can get tips on what autistics are thinking/understanding
I am considering writing a book at some point. Just so, i can say to myself even, that i have used my intelligence for something. I wouldn't even need to see it published and it can be on any subject. Hard work but the possibilities are endless.
Both lol. My autism has been a handicap that's left me stunted and failing in life. My one 'gift', supposedly high IQ, is useless to me because I can't focus my attention well enough to do anything useful with it.
No worries! Hopefully this link is more useful. I might use the first link to access my own medical records, just out of interest.
I’m aware that way back when medical knowledge wasn’t as advanced as it is now that autism was considered by some professionals as a type of psychosis. Obsessive compulsive disorder has been considered as both a neurosis and a psychosis at different times over the years. Luckily times have changed. I imagine that there was a lot more stigma surrounding mental health and related conditions back in the 1980’s. Certain cliques of people at university probably didn’t help either! There’s predatory manipulators in every walk of life, sadly! Our underlying neurology makes us more vulnerable to them!
Sisyphus.