Published on 12, July, 2020
I was doing some searching on autistic language and I happened upon this:
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/52787
This point in particular caught my attention:
'Identity diffusion is central to autism, and this will include their sexual and other identities. This is probably due to the neural connectivity problems in the brain [9]. Contradictory identities can exist side by side in their mind. They can switch to another and opposite identity very rapidly. This can be confused with so-called multiple personalities. This identity diffusion can cause stress in making decisions and in employment, and despite intelligence and good education, they may withdraw and cease to seek employment. They can confuse people with these contradictory identities. They do not have a clear sense of themselves and people find it difficult to understand them. This makes it very difficult for them to have a clear sense of other people. This increases interpersonal stress. They are often mistaken for the opposite sex and come across as being androgynous. Males can appear to have a soft female facies and females with a somewhat harder male facies. They may dress more like the opposite sex, which always causes confusion and shows signs of gender dysphoria. A small number will have transgender problems. Sometimes they feel unreal and de-personalised as living in a film and having an “as if” personality. Older adolescents with autism or Asperger’s syndrome often appear to be “asexual”. This can be very deceptive as the very same people can get involved in perverse, dangerous sexual activities'.
Interesting post, although it appears to me a lot of assumptions have been made through observation only.
I just looked up what identity diffusion is:
So I've learned that, but now I'm wondering what "committing to an identity" means exactly? I think it means deciding what your beliefs are, possibly including your gender and religious and political beliefs, and what identity groups you belong to e.g. Goth, member of the church choir, football supporter, celebrity fan, etc. I think most people are supposed to maintain their identity for life once it's fully formed as a young adult?
I don't think I have ever fully committed to an identity. My sex is female, but although I was sometimes frustrated by my gender when I was young (can't play war with the boys, can't do woodwork instead of sewing) I don't really think about it now, and I don't feel it defines me. I've changed appearance (hair, clothing etc.) changed political views, changed religious beliefs, and changed interests a lot over my adult lifetime.
However, my stress in making decisions and in employment wasn't caused by identity diffusion. It was caused by finding most jobs tedious and not having accommodation for my needs. Other people don't understand or are confused by me because I don't match their belief web (60+ year old woman who doesn't drive and enjoys video games)
Do I have a clear sense of self? - yes. It may change, but I know who I am.
Do I have a clear sense of other people? No, that's why I ask them questions. Usually they enjoy talking about themselves, so what's the problem?
Get mistaken for the opposite sex? No
Androgynous/ dress like the opposite sex? No, I like skirts
Asexual? Now I'm old yes, when I was younger, no
Perverse? - definitely not!
I like my ch..ch..ch.. ch...Changes (perhaps Bowie was autistic?)
What pixie said. I do get mistaken for the opposite sex sometimes, but I don't think that it's because I don't look female, because its always a certain type of older white male who insists on calling me sir. They're always a lot shorter than me so I think it's Napolean syndrome.
I've always known who I am and have never struggled with gender, I don't think identity has ever been an issue for me except over titles like Ms, Mrs and Miss.
Why is neural connectivity a "problem"? I think it's a problem for NT's because our increased connectivity can make us more creative, better problem solvers etc.