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Are we really the minority we're told we are?

TheCatWoman

Neuro diversity is such a huge thing and few people seem to understand it, but more and more symptoms are being recognised all the time and neuro-typical people seem to be finding it hard that we don't seem to be the minority they thought we were, we're mainsteam, but special, or we're treated as special, more special than them anyway, when we're not being kicked and punished for being different, although what that different actually is seems fairly indefinable.

Is it possible that we could be moving towards a post ND world?, Not yet obviously, to many of us are still struggling for recognition and diagnosis and te help that can come with it. But as the number of us grows, should it be less us and them and more of an idea of we're all a bit different and thats OK? 

Parents

  • Since I understood what autism was I find I believe there are a lot more undiagnosed people, especially older people who have diagnosed children and grandchildren and it helps me understand their differences. 

    However in the general public I think there are only a small number of people who really understand the hidden experiences, unless they have some experience themselves or with those close to them.

    In society there is an overall understanding of accepting everyone's differences whatever they might be. However in society in general, including education it seems that the aim is to help people fit into the 'norm' rather adjusting to support people's needs. If we are not so much of a minority why are the ways we think not becoming the norm. I often fall to understand why people don't understand my black and white thinking. So if there is a fact, why do people understand it in a more complicated way.

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  • Since I understood what autism was I find I believe there are a lot more undiagnosed people, especially older people who have diagnosed children and grandchildren and it helps me understand their differences. 

    However in the general public I think there are only a small number of people who really understand the hidden experiences, unless they have some experience themselves or with those close to them.

    In society there is an overall understanding of accepting everyone's differences whatever they might be. However in society in general, including education it seems that the aim is to help people fit into the 'norm' rather adjusting to support people's needs. If we are not so much of a minority why are the ways we think not becoming the norm. I often fall to understand why people don't understand my black and white thinking. So if there is a fact, why do people understand it in a more complicated way.

Children
  • in reply to Homebird

    I don't think black and white thinking is an ASC thing only nor do all people with ASC think like that, I know I don't, I know plenty of people who aren't ASC who are black and white straight line thinkers.

    I think it's a power thing, NT's have believed themseles to be right and normal for so long and have spent so long forcing square pegs into round holes, that they feel threatened now they realise that a substantial minority of the population are square pegs and want to remain square, resist having their corners knocked off and now have some legal rights to prevent that happening. Very few people will give up power willingly or easily.

    It's not surprising that "they" don't understand "us", do "we" understand "them" and their experiences? To me an NT world is a frightening place, I don't think it's only us who worry about fitting in, I think NT's do too, I think they must live in a world of fear in case they're cast out for some infraction with no community to go too, like we do.

    Here's another thought, what happens when a person with ASC breaks the "rules" that other Autistic people find acceptable, where do they go?