Published on 12, July, 2020
I've not Googlerated this so I'm starting from quite a low point of knowledge.
I know that we can tend to have very good memory in certain areas and I know about the autistic savant.
So, what do you know about how our memories work and why?
Mainly though, what is your memory like?
What do you remember and what do you not so well?
I have an autistic friend and he can quote back to me the day of the week, date and year a lot of events happened - small events, things like the day we went on a day trip somewhere over the whole of his life - he's 63.
I don't have that kind of gift but I have realised in recent times that my memory is quite unusual.
I do remember being in the pram and then the pushchair.
However, what I remember really well is places, events in my life and people and the things that people say, going back all 6 decades.
I can mentally walk through every room of the places I've lived in during my life and even where the furniture is.
How about you?
So, from the study that L has posted a link to, this is pertinent.
More coffee and painkillers before reading any more:
'Concordantly, according to the intense world theory by Markram and Markram (21), individuals with autism perceive the world more intensely than non-autistic individuals, due to overactive brain circuitry. The authors propose that a hyperactivation in these brain circuitries could account for hyper-perception, hyper-attention, hyper-emotionality, and even hyper-memory in autism. Hence, there seems to be a contradiction between the findings of experimental studies asking mainly for specific memories and free reports of autobiographical memories in autism. From this perspective, it seems possible that people with autism even have improved personal autobiographical memories in free recall or with regard to (sensory) details.'
I wonder, if they could give us a pill to switch autism off, would we feel horribly dulled by it and ask to have the autism back.
Amerantin (former member) said:I wonder, if they could give us a pill to switch autism off, would we feel horribly dulled by it and ask to have the autism back.
A good question.
I think that antidepressants probably do a job of dulling some aspects of it for me.
I reckon if I were single again then I'd say 'yes' as I know it had a big hand in my many difficulties.
However, now, with my settled life, I think I'd miss it.
What do you feel about the question (and anyone else)?
Thanks. I have to try. Not least because the meds have made me gain 8kg
Feels a bit ridiculous trying to figure out who and what I am or “find myself” at my age, but there you go.
Amerantin (former member) said: I haven’t experienced what it’s like to know I’m autistic while unmedicated.
Me too.
I've been on and off them for decades.
Amerantin (former member) said:Getting off the meds is one of my goals for early ‘24.
I have no desire though to come off the meds permanently, ever.
I have done before and I really don't like how I feel.
All the best with this.