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Autism as a superpower: Pros and Cons

Steven

Hello, everyone. :) 

I'm awaiting assessment. Seeing as I so often view things literally - I'm the kind of person who frequently needs to be told very obvious things...sometimes with finger-puppets...before I actually realise them, I went in search of autism paraphernalia on Amazon, Ebay etc etc. So, naturally, I assumed that the neurotypical world might be much the same as me: needing to be told explicitly that I am (potentially) autistic by means of badges, t-shirts, massive flags and so on. I also assumed that I actually am autistic, despite not yet being officially so. These mute accessories would overcome the difficulties I have, generally, with conversation and also explain to people why I'm often 'slow on the uptake' or silent on occasion.

The items for sale were so bold in colour, so confusing in their various manic displays that I felt like I'd taken LSD. I needed Paracetamol and rehab after viewing the t-shirts alone. More seriously, I was surprised to see so many slogans on the merchandise which were similar-ish to the following:

'Autism is my Superpower'

'Blessed by autism'

'I'm austistic - what's your effin' problem?'

I just didn't know precisely how I felt about such slogans. On the one hand, I think it's truly brilliant that such positive statements are made and encouraged; on the other, I myself certainly don't feel like a superhero or particularly blessed - quite the opposite - and I'm uncomfortable with defiant attitudes (as expressed in the 'problem' slogan) even though, undoubtedly, some unkind people deserve to hear such words of defiance. Perhaps I've misunderstood, and the more positive slogans and dynamic designs are meant to help quite young people with ASD to feel better about themselves? If so, that's a truly lovely sentiment and very important too. I just wish that I could recognise the more positive aspects of ASD in my experiences of daily life.

How do you all feel about these seemingly common (judging by hundreds of online goods at least) attitudes? And do they fittingly represent your own experiences of autism?

if I've misinterpreted this apparent phenomena, please accept my apologies; I'm just interested to read different, more up-to-date and perhaps more educated opinions than mine. I'm aware that I'm ignorant of many things regarding ASD and, often, I fear that this ignorance shows.

Thanks.

Parents

  • When autism first came into my world, I wanted to tell the world, I had finally realised why I’m me. I actually haven’t let many people in. It’s very easy to go from Hero to Zero, A lot of the products seem to be aimed at children, for me it would be like putting a target on my back, it would just make it even easier for people to have pot shots at me.

  • in reply to Roy

    That's another thing, even though it's been known for decades that autistic childeren do not "grow out of it" and become autistic adults, the autistic adults are pretty much kicked to the curb and expected to "get on with it, you're an adult now".  This is why I hide fidget toys as keyrings on my car  or motorcycle keys so it's not obvious when I take them with me or use them. (For some reason it's more socially accepted to play withyour keys that a fidget toy, but really that's pretty much the same thing anyway.)
    With that said I already don't %100 look the way people expect me to look, and I'm lucky that in my day to day I mostly just deal with immediate family or other students/artists so a very accepting bunch so at home or in the studio I just bring in whatever I want with me for the day. But anywhere else I'm limited to what I can fit discreetly on my keys.

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  • in reply to Roy

    That's another thing, even though it's been known for decades that autistic childeren do not "grow out of it" and become autistic adults, the autistic adults are pretty much kicked to the curb and expected to "get on with it, you're an adult now".  This is why I hide fidget toys as keyrings on my car  or motorcycle keys so it's not obvious when I take them with me or use them. (For some reason it's more socially accepted to play withyour keys that a fidget toy, but really that's pretty much the same thing anyway.)
    With that said I already don't %100 look the way people expect me to look, and I'm lucky that in my day to day I mostly just deal with immediate family or other students/artists so a very accepting bunch so at home or in the studio I just bring in whatever I want with me for the day. But anywhere else I'm limited to what I can fit discreetly on my keys.

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