• Replies 46 replies
  • Subscribers 96 subscribers
  • Views 19301 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Do You Think Everyone Is Autistic?

Daniel

I often find myself come across people claiming "I'm a bit autistic" saying everyone is a bit autistic.

I point out to them so many things they refer to as "autism traits" are not autism traits at all but is just general human behaviours by all people, but when an autistic person does it it gets described negatively.  

Stimming as an example, I see nearly everyone stim, so many people tapping their foot on the floor, some picking their nails, some just twirling hair etc. because they do something an autistic person does they assume they're a bit autistic. 

When I tell them doing something labelled "autism trait" doesn't make them a bit autistic, that people are either autistic or not, I back it up asking "I sometimes say a metaphor, does that mean I'm a bit neurotypical?" I point out to them autism is a neurodevelopmental condition. 

I say "people with bipolar have mood swings, I hear most people have mood swings, so does everyone have a bit of bipolar disorder?" 

They still go claiming everyone's a bit autistic. Do you agree with the people who say everyone's a bit autistic?

Parents

  • I don't believe so, no. I hate it when people say that! It's true that many NTs will have some 'autistic' traits, but I believe the difference is in the amount of traits they have and the impact they have on their lives. Some may dislike noise, some may stim, some may have social problems, but unless they're actually autistic, they won't have traits across the board, with the same level of impact on their lives, that someone with autism will have. It's like saying that every cake is a little bit cupcake because they share a similarity. No, a cupcake is a cupcake, and a fruitcake is a fruitcake. Just because they're both sweet and baked in the oven does not make them the same. 

Reply

  • I don't believe so, no. I hate it when people say that! It's true that many NTs will have some 'autistic' traits, but I believe the difference is in the amount of traits they have and the impact they have on their lives. Some may dislike noise, some may stim, some may have social problems, but unless they're actually autistic, they won't have traits across the board, with the same level of impact on their lives, that someone with autism will have. It's like saying that every cake is a little bit cupcake because they share a similarity. No, a cupcake is a cupcake, and a fruitcake is a fruitcake. Just because they're both sweet and baked in the oven does not make them the same. 

Children
No Data