Published on 12, July, 2020
Partly because I'm trying to cheer myself up, partly because we need a bit of positivity in life and also because I'd like to get to know you all a bit better, what is your autistic superpower? I prefer to think of the positives that being autistic brings rather than dwell on the things I struggle with and I like to think of my strengths as "superpowers".
Mine are empathy (sometimes my heart can feel like it's going to break or explode!) and spotting details / patterns, particularly in numbers and equations. I also think I see more details in nature than my neurotypical friends (nature is my "special interest") and I get far more joy and excitement from nature than most people do. What are yours?
(Just I case it's confused anyone, I've changed my username, I hope that's OK?)
It really is an amazing thing to experience. Growing up I thought it really was a superpower, I had no idea it was a proper thing.
Autistic Not Alien said:I really dislike the term 'autistic superpower' - sorry. I think it infantilises autistic people, and obscures the challenges they face. I'm not a superhero, I'm not Rain Man, I'm not weird - I'm autistic. Blunt, different, and autistic.
Yes I understand that, that’s perfectly valid!
This discussion is not about superpowers as such it is just about emphasising our autistic strengths to support the development of a positive autistic identity for our neurokin. This is so important in our autistic community as so often we have negative and stressful experiences in our lives which negatively affect our perceptions of ourselves.
I really dislike the term 'autistic superpower' - sorry. I think it infantilises autistic people, and obscures the challenges they face. I'm not a superhero, I'm not Rain Man, I'm not weird - I'm autistic. Blunt, different, and autistic.
out_of_step said:Not to piss on anyone's chips of course.
Useful phrase. Thank you for sharing.
Interface said:* I can hear, smell and feel colours - I'm not a psychosis! I swear. It's synesthesia.
I experience synaesthesia too! It's so cool!
Interesting thread. Thanks for making it.
My own super powers are:
* Excellent memory.
* Very creative and excellent imagination.
* Empathy.
* Natural mimic.
* I can hear, smell and feel colours - I'm not a psychosis! I swear. It's synesthesia.
* Repetitivy.
Being autistic is awesome in my opinion. I love the fact I am different because it makes me so much more interesting and unique. Sure it has its bad things too but look at the list above, what's not to like.
I embrace autism and myself. I used to hate it but I've grown and changed a lot since I was diagnosed.
Exactly! Neurodiversity is a very valuable outcome of continuous human evolution, after all many of our autistic ancestors have probably contributed to breakthroughs and revelations in a variety of fields in society.
Number said: I don't like my mind, quite often
I disagree
Number said:middle-aged people doing cosplay
All I can see now are beer guts poured into ill fitting yellow and red shiny man-made fibres.
Is it only me, but when these cyclical threads about " autistic superpower" pop up, all I can think of is middle-aged people doing cosplay?! I don't like my mind, quite often!
My sentiments also!
I think I have found my evolutionary justification:
out_of_step said:You don't need to explain your elf! Everyone's opinions are valid. I think it's good to have discussion about strengths etc.... What I contribute does depend on my current situation, mood, circumstances at the time. I probs should've posted my reply generally rather than under your indivudyal post!
Yes I know, I just thought make sure that your points didn’t seem as though they were undermined.
I believe mine would be that I have the capability of telling stories. Something I had been good at since I was a child but had never had the chance to expand upon. I wish to become an author, one who can evoke stories to many, not just to be read, but seen and felt in a way that no one ever imagined.
My superpowers/strengths are empathy and I guess my imagination and creativity - I use both regularly and it helps fight off the depression.
I get what you are saying. So many things are difficult and some days are worse. For me I need these kind of positives to try to distract from the rest.
My super power is that im a lovely person and i dont know it
You don't need to explain your elf! Everyone's opinions are valid. I think it's good to have discussion about strengths etc.... What I contribute does depend on my current situation, mood, circumstances at the time. I probs should've posted my reply generally rather than under your indivudyal post!
out_of_step said:Super powers are all well and good if they translate into every day life. I know I am not on my own when I say : I don't feel like I have a super power. Getting through a regular day or week is what I am capable of.
That’s ok, we are all human! I wouldn’t necessarily call my experiences ‘superpowers ‘ either it was just that I was following the format of this discussion. Instead I would usually describe them as my autistic strengths.
I understand how the superpower narrative can be harmful for our autistic community too.
Getting through everyday life is an achievement in itself!
I agree, 'everyday life', it's the future imo I've always been more into swings than roundabouts (I tend to get dizzy and nauseous on those contraptions)
solving mysteries that nobody else knows. i have solved murderer cases before that were unsolved for years