Separating The Self

Autistic is an adjective (describing something) but autism is a noun (an actual thing.)  So saying "I am autism" is a bit like saying "I am glasses."  

I am autistic.  I am queer.  I am British.  I am a parent.

Language is weird.

Thats sort of my issue. Why should I have to tell people?

I'd rather say, if a situation required it, to say ' yeah sorry, I struggle with load noises... Or... I have some sensory issues...or I just don't excel at making small talk'

Overall I think I have an issue with the societal need to categorise people so readily. They call it autism, I call it normal

Thats sort of my issue. Why should I have to tell people?

I'd rather say, if a situation required it, to say ' yeah sorry, I struggle with load noises... Or... I have some sensory issues...or I just don't excel at making small talk'

Overall I think I have an issue with the societal need to categorise people so readily. They call it autism, I call it normal

Glitter said:

So when I say "I'm autistic" as if this explains everything, it actually explains nothing.

That's probably why I get no reaction off the people I tell. Who I tell with a purpose because I think it's relevant to the situation at hand like at appointments and i now know what difficulties i have. I understand in my head how everything fits together and for some reason expect them to have some sort of idea of any of this. I think often people don't want to assume anything or/because it takes them by surprise.

I think, ironically, that I have a bit of a "theory of mind" gap when it comes to autism as well.  I have an idea of what autism means in my head after looking at all sorts of sources, and sometimes I forget that other people don't have the idea and meaning in their head.  So when I say "I'm autistic" as if this explains everything, it actually explains nothing.

In the same way that we all have an idea of what the word "mother" means, but that idea and its associations have grown out of our own experience.

It's like the Sally Ann test all over again.

I think there's an element of self understanding and confidence needed. That's what a diagnosis has given me but it's always work in practise.  Also being able to communicate one's needs sufficiently. Part of me does want to mention autism to others just to make people more aware of the diversity within it. 

Definitely.

I like your point about disclosure. We should just be able to disclose our challenges and ask for space for those. I guess, because we expect others to appreciate the elevated level of issues autism can cause, for people to me more understanding. Sadly, I think it just makes things worse in a lot of situations.

I'll take that note on only disclosing difficultes forward I think

Thanks

There are people who are not autistic who also have difficulties for example with loud noises. They might just say so, without explaining themselves. We should be able to state our preferences or needs etc as just that and it should be respected. 

I think often as the wider world has fixed ideas about autism, I think sometimes the autistic community has fixed ideas about what neurotypical means. This is understandable as many autistic people have faced difficulties in life around others. 

There needs to be more discourse between the two camps.

Jackpot.

This is the exact issue, and why I don't feel it's right to categorise people into groups often.

If there is ignorance in the air, then it's almost impossible for equality and fairness to prevail

For me the problem is that the general public have this category called autism but they don't understand what it means.  They have a vague sense based on stereotypes. 

The category autistic is more useful for me because I work in a school where there is much more awareness.  But in other places I might as well say I'm Kelpian for all the understanding it brings.

Words are helpful in getting us to make sense of the world.  But that only works if we all understand the same meaning.