Hate the saying"Were all a bit autistic"

Some people who arent austitic in work say "we're all a bit autistic arent we" and the only difference between you and me is you have a diagnosis. Really makes me angry as they think just because soSmirk things that annoy them makes them autistic. I asked them how they deal with these annoying things and the said they just forget about it. Things that might annoy them will create severe emotional sSmirkess and anxiety, effects me socially and in some cases cause me to self harm, I can't just forget about it. It's obvious that a lot people don't understand what its really like to be autistic or theSmirkjust don't care and try and fob it off as something silly to just get over it Smirk 

Parents
  • Another issue why this can be annoying is that, if you are autistic and need support or have certain needs (time in solitude, for example), then one may interpret that we should just cope (because "everyone is a bit autistic", but most don't receive support, request sensory adjustments and so on..) 

    So I think that even if we share some aspects, and even if some people are a bit autistic, this is a disability for which there are specific assessments, tests, and specialists, and these determine whether you are or not in a meaningful sense.

  • So many people can't cope with solitude, when they see another wanting some alone time, their first instinct is to rush in and ask you whats wrong and insist there must be something or you wouldn't be wanting to be alone and try and "organise" you. This makes everything so much worse for all concerned.

    Another one many can't cope with is muted lighting, the first thing they do is come in and switch all the lights on, 'what are you doing sitting here on your own in the dark?' is the accusation frequently thrown at us.

    Why do people who are afraid of the dark or rather the not brilliantly lit and being on your own ending up in the caring professions? I'm sure it's some sort of projection.

  • Oh yeah that sounds awful. I hate it when people assume they know what is good for someone else’s emotional wellbeing. 

Reply Children
  • As I said  I wonder if sometimes we expect too much of neurotypical people - they don't think like we do.  Evidence suggests that even when we tell them what and how we think they judge by neurotypical standards that we are wrong...  Takes a lot to shift that mindset...  hmmm have some less kind suggestions about how one might achieve this however the nicest I can come up with ultimately is educate them until they do...