1-2% autistic

Can this be true? I think it's way more since the spectrum is so broad. Lurking on this board everyone here articulate and write like any normal person, probably even better than your random Joe. I would never tell that this was a forum for people diagnosed with autism if it was the same people for a different thing. 

Growing up, in school etc. with the autism critirias as hard to small talk, form and keep relationships... majority of the people in school/uni have difficulties with this. Why do you think people drink, to open up more from their locked personality. Of course you always have the smooth talkers and intelligent but they are a minority compared to people that mostly shy away or don't have a good amount of things to talk about.

I really know more guys that couldn't keep a telephone conversation for 5 minutes than guys that could talk for hours.

Sure it's the social cues as well. But those that understand social cues and facial expression why aren't they all talkative people? What is keeping them away from expressing themselves? 

Parents Reply Children
  • I don't think I could be on the other side

  • Ah, well you meant well. I wouldn't be the judge of it. I'm at pains to be diplomatic at all times, but I think it's because I know how easily I could flippantly express something if those checks and balances weren't rigorous. And I still mess up sometimes. And feel terrible afterwards.I can feel guilt for ages about an inelegantly phrased moment that the recipient didn't even care about at the time. But I'd still rather that than have no filter and simply not care. Which I know can sometimes unavoidably be the other side of the autistic coin. 

  • I'll tell you the biggest I hit

    Many years ago, my ex was so ill, she couldn't leave bed even, white as wallpaper, to show my concern I said ''you look like really, bed, are you sure you don't want a doctor? as if after chemiotherapy'' she never forgave me that.

  • Sorry, I think they way I put that came over wrong. It was meant to be a light joke in solidarity - the 'rubbish' being aimed at the doctor, not you. Maybe that's even how you took it, but if there's a tiny chance if seemed otherwise, I'd rather risk needlessly apologising to you than saying nothing! I might be in overthink mode though, have hit a few conversational land-mines this month!