As a newcomer to my condition, this subject is one of the first things I thought about, particularly as a reflection on my own reaction to other people who I know with a confirmed ASD diagnosis.
It's very easy (lazy?) to adopt a stereotypical approach, even judgmental, about other people who are experiencing a meltdown or other symptom and assume that they are just using their condition as an excuse. And maybe, in some cases they are. But that's OK. When we suffer, we need to find a way, and sometimes that way is in the form of an excuse, either to ourselves or to others - just a way of coping. The fact that other people might consider it lame is irrelevant. I think what really must come first is your own experience and the way you deal with what is happening to you. Once you can get through it, maybe you can learn to deal with things without resorting to excuses, if that makes you feel bad. Personally, I don't see the need to make a distinction.
As a newcomer to my condition, this subject is one of the first things I thought about, particularly as a reflection on my own reaction to other people who I know with a confirmed ASD diagnosis.
It's very easy (lazy?) to adopt a stereotypical approach, even judgmental, about other people who are experiencing a meltdown or other symptom and assume that they are just using their condition as an excuse. And maybe, in some cases they are. But that's OK. When we suffer, we need to find a way, and sometimes that way is in the form of an excuse, either to ourselves or to others - just a way of coping. The fact that other people might consider it lame is irrelevant. I think what really must come first is your own experience and the way you deal with what is happening to you. Once you can get through it, maybe you can learn to deal with things without resorting to excuses, if that makes you feel bad. Personally, I don't see the need to make a distinction.
