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If you have an NT asking how is to be autistic

Mariusz
over 2 years ago

I came up with sth to help them imagine it:

Try to imagine being dropped from helicopter into a sea during storm, blindfolded, without knowing the height. Then you hit the water, and while being shocked from not fully anticipated contact, your first thought is ‘’I can’t swim’’. Nonetheless, you start fighting for your life, throwing your arms around without skill, yet staying on top somehow. Then, you think, you can hear a familiar voice shouting ‘’Swim, you have to’’.

Hit the water is the moment when you turn 18, and realise the enormity of the task ahead.

Blindfold represents inability to read people correctly.

‘’Swim, you have to’’ is ‘’Act normal’’, something I was told as a child more often than anything else.

Parents
  • over 2 years ago

    I've accepted my condition recently.  Although my neighbours (elderly) and relatives "nudged" me a year ago, I had difficulty getting it. 

    I lost two jobs since Jan this year(never happened before), and the situation is demanding my attention. I'm sure I've Asperger's. Surprisingly until 33, I assumed it to be confidence or anxiety issues. Grin Those were symptoms, not root causes Relieved 

    Your analogy makes so much sense. All these years,s I was told to act normal,l and I followed the rules religiously. It worked, but I lost myself in that process. So, I'm starting again like I would have started from 18 (in your analogy). I envy people who learned earlier in life and would be well equipped to get the basics going. 

    I don't want to swim. Instead, I'll stay myself, which will lead me to a better place than where I was. I'm sure I'll be happier being myself than becoming some who I'm not, either I'm not looking to be. 

Reply
  • over 2 years ago

    I've accepted my condition recently.  Although my neighbours (elderly) and relatives "nudged" me a year ago, I had difficulty getting it. 

    I lost two jobs since Jan this year(never happened before), and the situation is demanding my attention. I'm sure I've Asperger's. Surprisingly until 33, I assumed it to be confidence or anxiety issues. Grin Those were symptoms, not root causes Relieved 

    Your analogy makes so much sense. All these years,s I was told to act normal,l and I followed the rules religiously. It worked, but I lost myself in that process. So, I'm starting again like I would have started from 18 (in your analogy). I envy people who learned earlier in life and would be well equipped to get the basics going. 

    I don't want to swim. Instead, I'll stay myself, which will lead me to a better place than where I was. I'm sure I'll be happier being myself than becoming some who I'm not, either I'm not looking to be. 

Children