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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

  • You sound very knowledgeable. It's just dismissive when people say things like that. I tell people,

    "Yes, it's not abnormal to have some of these traits (ASD & AD/HD-2 neurodevelopmentals), however, the BIGGEST difference, is that NT are wired differently & although, I'm sure you don't mean to be offensive, comments like this hurt those whose struggles are both invisible/visible bc they don't just have 'traits' of autism, it deeply impacts their lives & functioning. It's kind of like saying, people have low blood sugar at times--so everyone's a little diabetes. Let's be real, it's either someone being rude, ignorant or doesn't want to look at themselves.

    Also, I'm surprised to hear this with autism--I usually hear it with AD/HD. You're the 2nd person this week that's posted about it. I'm sorry you're having to experience this. Maybe that person is in denial, bc the person who said it to me-presented 100% AD/HD. I'm noticing how threatened people are by those in tune/aware of their mental health. SAD.

    You might want to educate yourself more, so you can avoid 'sensitives' such as these by downplaying autism--you need to banish some of the myths and false narratives. It's not your fault, you just need more education."

    In reality, I'd say all this in my head--unless I got really mad. It's just so dismissive, I'd think--is a person like this worth my breath? They won't listen anyway. I base it on their personality.

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  • You sound very knowledgeable. It's just dismissive when people say things like that. I tell people,

    "Yes, it's not abnormal to have some of these traits (ASD & AD/HD-2 neurodevelopmentals), however, the BIGGEST difference, is that NT are wired differently & although, I'm sure you don't mean to be offensive, comments like this hurt those whose struggles are both invisible/visible bc they don't just have 'traits' of autism, it deeply impacts their lives & functioning. It's kind of like saying, people have low blood sugar at times--so everyone's a little diabetes. Let's be real, it's either someone being rude, ignorant or doesn't want to look at themselves.

    Also, I'm surprised to hear this with autism--I usually hear it with AD/HD. You're the 2nd person this week that's posted about it. I'm sorry you're having to experience this. Maybe that person is in denial, bc the person who said it to me-presented 100% AD/HD. I'm noticing how threatened people are by those in tune/aware of their mental health. SAD.

    You might want to educate yourself more, so you can avoid 'sensitives' such as these by downplaying autism--you need to banish some of the myths and false narratives. It's not your fault, you just need more education."

    In reality, I'd say all this in my head--unless I got really mad. It's just so dismissive, I'd think--is a person like this worth my breath? They won't listen anyway. I base it on their personality.

Children
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