• Replies 29 replies
  • Subscribers 26 subscribers
  • Views 6774 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

What is Autism exactly?

Looby Lou

Sorry to ask a dumb question - but I am none the wiser having read about it on the site - is it an actual physical thing to do with the braiin (a lady who is supporting me and my husband mentioned the hippocampus part of the brain is not so developed in people with autism).  

Its just I am unsure whether the condition is actually real for people like myself - maybe I am just an introvert, and mnay of the things mentioned in the obok I'm reading (Apsergirls) can be applied to a lot of women.

The term "neurodiverse" is used (as opposed to "neurotypical") - but what does this mean exactly?  Is it a neurological disease?

Thanks in advance.

Parents

  • Autism, unlike introversion, affects Theory of Mind  (the ability to mentalise). Unlike an introverted person, an Autistic person cannot access the social pool of shared meaning. An introverted person can function, unless the introversion results in isolation and Depression. My Mum is introverted but she can maintain a full time job, raise a family, take on adult responsibilities, and is not disabled in any way. Introversion is not a disability, Autism is!.

    Secondly, not all people with Autism are introverts. It is possible to be Autistic and to be an extrovert, particularly if the person also has a co-morbid diagnosis of ADHD.

Reply

  • Autism, unlike introversion, affects Theory of Mind  (the ability to mentalise). Unlike an introverted person, an Autistic person cannot access the social pool of shared meaning. An introverted person can function, unless the introversion results in isolation and Depression. My Mum is introverted but she can maintain a full time job, raise a family, take on adult responsibilities, and is not disabled in any way. Introversion is not a disability, Autism is!.

    Secondly, not all people with Autism are introverts. It is possible to be Autistic and to be an extrovert, particularly if the person also has a co-morbid diagnosis of ADHD.

Children
No Data