What is a Positive about your ASD

I really struggle with this question, as I find it so hard to tell what is because I’m autistic and what would be the same if I was allistic. Or is that even a valid question? I don’t know. It’s also hard to separate nature and nurture. I guess there’s part of me that is reluctant to ascribe positives to my autism as I still experience it primarily as a disability (which I know is not a popular opinion here).

Anyway, in the hope that this will make me feel more positive about my autism, I feel it at least contributes towards my being:

Intelligent;

Independent-minded;

Empathetic;

Honest;

Diligent;

And perhaps also resilient.

(Several of these factors helped me stay religious in a culture (Orthodox Judaism) that isn’t always accommodating to difference, neurodiversity or mental illness, so I’m grateful for that at least.)

Luftmentsch said:

I guess there’s part of me that is reluctant to ascribe positives to my autism as I still experience it primarily as a disability (which I know is not a popular opinion here).

That's ok. It is ok to experience being autistic as a disability, all experiences are valid. It's therefore understandable why you find it difficult to answer the original question, hopefully as you continue your autistic discovery you will be able to recognise your own autistic strengths more easily. 

Luftmentsch said:

Independent-minded;

Yes I definitely agree with this autistic strength, I have been called an individualist before. I think we are more likely to be independent minded because we question neuronormative social rules and therefore are unlikely to be swayed into changing our opinion/belief when in a group.

Thank you.

I think we probably couldn't be conformist even if we wanted to, because we can't "read" other people well enough to work out what the consensus is.

Thank you.

I think we probably couldn't be conformist even if we wanted to, because we can't "read" other people well enough to work out what the consensus is.

You are very welcome.

Luftmentsch said:

I think we probably couldn't be conformist even if we wanted to, because we can't "read" other people well enough to work out what the consensus is

Yes I think I agree, but another reason I don't we would be a conformist is that in my opinion we don't value social hierarchy. We see everyone as equal and an individual.