Is Autism really a super power?

I know an autistic child- she's a musical and artistic prodigy. Can learn anything by ear (they're trying to teach her how to read music, but it's a slow process), paints, draws, sculpts, builds things. But I don't think she'll ever be functional enough to live on her own when she gets older.

Autism is so hot right now!

R1, I hope advances in medicine will give your daughter a real chance for success and happiness in life .

Thanks r3, not mine, but a client's of mine. And the girl is a beautiful Botticelli blond, which make it more difficult for people to understand why her parents have to really keep her in line when she starts acting up and screams/runs amok. Since I've known her, I can spot true autistic kids now- it's always about the eyes- they seldom focus on you, even when it appears they're looking at you.

There is something spooky about them to say the least .

I worked with autistic teens and adults for years. The vast majority have severe intellectual disabilities, are not verbal and indulge in repetitive, destructive behaviors. Idiots savants are a myth and people of normal or superior intelligence who identify as 'autistics' probably have anti-social personality disorder.

R6, perfect observation. I agree.

I once hired an extremely smart grad student. She turned out to be an insufferable brat. Rude, a bully. When I had to chastise her about her behavior, she insisted I couldn't do that because she had autism and was therefore disabled. She improved her behavior after that. So she was manipulative. Nothing wrong with her but a helicopter Mommy who never taught her any manners.

[quote] I hear this a lot from people who profess to have this condition, but I’m not seeing any spectacular traits . I also find that there is a jealous contempt for people from these autistics.

Oh shut up, you asshole. Autistics aren't generally known to proclaim that they have "a super power." And they're not generally known for having "a jealous contempt" for other people, either. You're just a fucktard troll trying to stir shit. Fuck off.

OP, unles you can provide us with proof people actually said this, we'll just have to conclude you're trolling,

R6 how would you categorise Asperger’s (a now obsolete term), just out of interest?

Asperger's is what you call people who have no manners and no respect for other people.

R9, r10, have a weird dog in the fight

No-, it is a debilitating condition that can be incredibly difficult for the entire life of the person who has it, and those close to that person. It is a neurological disorder- are you really that clueless OP?

They are prone to delusional thinking.

while I myself prefer delusional twinking

Is there any truth to the claim that geriatric pregnancy (pregnancy past age 35) is tied to autism in the child?

We have an anti-autism troll.

DL has a significant number of pathological people.

R17, more known for Down’s Syndrome.

They call it a spectrum for a reason.

One of the most brilliant attorneys I have ever met, Stanford and Yale grad, is on the autism spectrum. Extremely kind too. But his personal life is a total mess.

I also know two college kids, mainstreamed, both smart, living independently, who were nonverbal autistic as small children.

With intervention, some people who received a diagnosis of moderate to severe autism as a young child are able to develop to the point where they lose the diagnosis completely or you can barely tell theyre different.

Other kids never learn to talk and are severely disabled for life.

I just want to add that I think the stereotype that autistic people lack empathy is false. I am sure some do, but a lot of the autistic people I know are extremely empathetic and sensitive. They might act a little different or do or say things from time to time that could be seen as annoying, but a lot of very smart and kind adults have autism. Theyre not all robo-jerks like Elon or Zuck

R21, take your propaganda and shove it

It isnt propaganda it is my personal experience

It can be pretty frightening when they spaz out. I feel bad for them and their parents.

They are not trust worthy

Autism probably develops in the 14th week of gestation, simultaneously with the development of the digestive system. Autistics invariably have severe digestive issues.

They call it autism, but it's really just crazy.

We need to find a cure now

[quote] Greta Thunberg Called Autism Her "Superpower" in Post Against Haters

Interesting, R26. I know a guy with Chron's Disease and two of his three kids have autism.

[quote]gretathunberg When haters go after your looks and differences, it means they have nowhere left to go. And then you know you’re winning! I have Asperger’s syndrome and that means I’m sometimes a bit different from the norm. And - given the right circumstances - being different is a superpower.

[quote]I'm not public about my diagnosis to "hide" behind it, but because I know many ignorant people still see it as an "illness", or something negative. And believe me, my diagnosis has limited me before. Before I started school striking I had no energy, no friends and I didn’t speak to anyone. I just sat alone at home, with an eating disorder. All of that is gone now, since I have found a meaning, in a world that sometimes seems meaningless to so many people. #aspiepower #neurodiverse #npf

^ link

Greta is ugly

I have a lot of sympathy for those on the autism spectrum but I hate Greta.

I have an autistic nephew and it’s severe. He can’t communicate at all and will just repeat things he wants/likes. He hits my sister when he’s really upset and doesn’t get his way. He can’t go #2 properly and always leaves a mess. My sister has a hard time getting him to leave places when she takes him somewhere. He stays up all night and my sister doesn’t get much sleep. He loves Disney cartoons. He rocks back and forth and covers his ears a lot.

They get fixated on things thus becoming an idiot savant on certain subjects.

Actual autistic here and I'd say it depends on your circumstances. If you have/is given the resources to develop your interests into a lucrative career while also being supported by a network, you could very well call it a super power. For someone like me however, born to rural lower working class parents with generations of accumulated trauma and substance abuse, it's a pretty big fucking disability when trying to navigate the world alone.

My goal in life is basically to bother other people as little as possible until they find me dead in my apartment, hopefully before the cats run out of water.

R37, seek assistance through the state mental health facilities

There's always a word to use against those who are different than yourself, however it's always those who use the word first or anonymously who always benefit from putting others down, while those who have always been at a a disadvantage will always continue to be at a disadvantage.

The cold hard reality is that whatever intellectual benefits may accrue from being autistic, success in a career and life generally requires interpersonal skills.

Few people would actually qualify as some sort of austistic savant whose intellectual prowess is so great that it mitigates the behavioral and social problems that being autistic creates.

So, no OP, autism is not a super power. It's a disability and a liability that needs to be overcome, not applauded.

This thread is retarded.

Bipolars can have genius IQs. Bipolars are frequently brilliant artists (Virginia Woolf, ad infinitum). Read Kay Redfield Jamison's book Touched With Fire. However, there is no connection between what is being claimed to be autism and genius.

[quote] I know a guy with Chron's Disease

Oh, [italic]dear.[/italic]

My next door neighbor has Asperger’s and is off the chart brilliant, who I hope will someday be able to live independently. She has transitioned to a trans male.

I am quite sure Tesla had Asperger’s.

R44,sounds more retarded than brilliant.

[quote] So, no OP, autism is not a super power. It's a disability and a liability that needs to be overcome, not applauded.

You're taking the asshole OP seriously? That's retarded.

As a retired social worker/case manager for people with developmental disabilities, the majority of people with autism have a significant degree of disability.

R47, yep

[quote] As a retired social worker/case manager for people with developmental disabilities, the majority of people with autism have a significant degree of disability.

So what are you saying? That autistic people are "disabled" so that make them lesser human beings" Don't be an ass.

[R49] Don’t be an ass. What’s wrong with you? I spent 30 years as a social worker working with and on behalf of people with disabilities. I simply stated a fact. A fact doesn’t make anyone “less” or more. Are you poorly educated?

[quote] I simply stated a fact. A fact doesn’t make anyone “less” or more. Are you poorly educated?

Your implication is that autistics are poor, afflicted people are so "disabled" that they need fucks like you to attend to them. But many lead independent lives and do very well. You're an ass, alright. Social workers tend to be that way.

If they are savants they could be

r50 like trenders wreaked havoc and overinflated the numbers of trans, the self diagnosed neurodivergent crowd did so to autism. They've long held a contempt for showcasing the severity of autism. And became so hostile they began attacking autism charties in the name of social justice.

"AutismSpeaks" was the primary one.

They've also launched campaigns against documentaries... and for one, I can't think of its name but believe it was a channel 4 documentary styled realities series on autism, they even went after the families that participated because the kids were too disabled.

you can discover the extremism through numerous social media platforms and youtube over the past decade looking up "autism speaks" draws out the crazies there.

And the key arguments are always the same about the oppression of the most gifted, talented and intelligent peoples evah by showing the other side of the spectrum.

Similar issues befell the short lived series "Speechless" even though they tried to walk the line between the two camps.

[R51] I’m sorry facts offend you. I made no implications. You did that all on your own. I also find it odd that you are hostile and make such horrible assumptions that others view people with disabilities as “poor” and “afflicted.” Therapy might help with that.

I wasn’t an attendant. I have a graduate school education. What I actually did was work with people, listened to their needs/wants and put in appropriate supports so that they could meet their own goals, live in the least restrictive environment and be as independent as possible. Some of my clients were attending college and others, more severely effected, required residential placement in community homes. Many of those clients couldn’t meet their own needs for hygiene, laundry, food preparation, shopping, money management etc.

I'm a prof in a STEM university. There are more of these special people around than in the past. And there is great variety in personality and functioning. I haven't noticed any of the identifiable genius students being autistic or as we used to say, on the spectrum. but some on the spectrum are very bright and capable. Autism isn't a super power. FUCKING IDIOTIC TROLLING statement by the OP just to get fools like me contributing to his thread.

Autists are created from old sperm. Retards are from the mother, autists are from the father.

People older than 35 should never have kids, you're just rolling the dice.

Real talk.

I used to think that yeah autistic people can see things without bias.

But no. I worked with this one autistic guy who hated Asians and chocolate and constantly threw tantrums. I made the mistake of agreeing to be his mentor early on before I realised he was so high strung. One afternoon when grabbing coffee he decided to “disclose” to me he is autistic. I had to choke back my internal response of “no shit, Sherlock”.

R56 do you have any study that suggests the connection between autism and father's age? I'm honestly curios.

As a teacher I will say the annoying ones are, in fact, annoying, and the difficult ones suck energy and return nothing. But the lightly autistic ones, if you can find a way to connect and they learn successfully, it's touching.

I've been dealing with this for over 20 years and its obvious that some aspies who make it to University and who are annoying and difficult are being that way on purpose because people with authority in their lives haven't told them to knock it the fuck off. When my spidy sense says this is the case, I wait a month and if its confirmed, I cut them off any energy from me. I don't take the bait, I don't try to fix them, I don't say anything, I give them the grade they deserve and that's it. If they disrupt the class I will put a stop to it but sill give no "editorial". (I have seen female autistic students be deliberately disruptive, but not male ones.)

Are you thick that you have to come on here and be insulting to people on the autism spectrum and even those replying with more insulting nonsense. Your lack of intelligence has no boundaries and even to those of you who rather be vindictive and nasty and talk crap about something you know nothing about. It shows some people don't have empathy or lack understanding.

Wait - are YOU autistic? if so - "some people don't have empathy or lack understanding" = pot calling the kettle black. HONEY

[quote] I've been dealing with this for over 20 years and its obvious that some aspies who make it to University and who are annoying and difficult are being that way on purpose because people with authority in their lives haven't told them to knock it the fuck off. [bold]When my spidy sense says this is the case, I wait a month and if its confirmed, I cut them off any energy from me. I don't take the bait, I don't try to fix them, I don't say anything, I give them the grade they deserve and that's it. If they disrupt the class I will put a stop to it but sill give no "editorial".[/bold] (I have seen female autistic students be deliberately disruptive, but not male ones.)

R59 any strategies I can use?

What don't you understand? if you aren't a partner, friend, family member, social worker, doctor, you have not been charged to help autistic people who can't or won't play the social games required - in school, work, community. Deliver what your contract requires and avoid and deflect. Aspie students will tell you to your face - I don't need this course, I don't need my peers, I don't need you or your teaching, everything is completely uninteresting to me. If they are bright, they will also imply you all suck to even be interested in any of this "bullshit" social contract. So, do not get involved. Also students have spidey senses - they will take on autistic people who have social skills and "good will", and invite them in their social units in school and be patient and generous, mostly. They will not do the same to asshole autistic people - they cut them off. As I said, autistic people seem to have a. full range of personality and skills. And they are missing some social connection skills - but that's not a deal breaker.

What you can't do is fix an autistic . That is someone elses job, or in some cases it is impossible. And what you can't do is tell an asshole autistic to knock it off. You CAN tell a non-autistic student some thing about social behavior and how to be success in all the ways required - if you have some wits - and survive. Maybe only outside the USA. I dunno. I am in Europe and the students do not rule the institution here.

My closest friend has an Autistic daughter and she’s an awful child. We are talking Princess Dickhead. She can sorta “pass” but her dead eyes and flat affect give her away. She’s selfish to the point of being parasitic. Her siblings pay the price as everyone is held hostage to her daily mishegas. I feel so badly for my friend whose maternal love is tested daily. I detest this child.

R65, a lot of autistic kids/ adults are subhuman monsters .

[quote] We are talking Princess Dickhead.

She has a home here with us.

A lot of people on Reddit are autistic. When they casually drop that fact in a post, I'm sometimes a bit surprised. Perhaps they can communicate well in writing but not verbally. They are smart. They understand why they have difficulties connecting with other people, and they feel badly about what they're missing out on. Some of them received their diagnosis only after getting married and having children. So their cases must be pretty mild.

R68 I am "on the spectrum" and that's how I am. I think I can communicate adequately in writing, but even then I am not sure how to respond to many things so I usually repeat "Very good" or "Very nice." People have commented that I type very formally and use no slang or abbreviation. But in person I can't hold a conversation to save my life. Because of this I don't have one single friend outside of the Internet and have never been on a date or had any sort of romantic relationship.

Autistic - cunts

R69, thanks for the reply. I don't have autism, but I have severe social anxiety. So I understand a little bit how it feels to not be able to have a conversation in person but to be able to express myself more freely on the Internet. I also have very few friends and a limited dating history.

Do you think you could be friends in-person with a person (autistic and/or non autistic) who understood your condition. The person wouldn't pressure you for more communication than you can give, and that acceptance would make you feel more comfortable with that person?

Autistics scare me

R72, maybe you should get treated for your own mental health due to your unexplained, irrational fears. And extreme rudeness.

R71 Not really. In elementary school I tried to fake it. That was the only time I really had any friends to speak of. I tried to talk like them (being vulgar and using foul language as 12-year-olds do) but I still think it came across as forced and unnatural. I had one of my friends tell me the F-word sounded "so wrong" when I said it. Even then I was never anybody's first choice. I was the one they called if the other person's parents said "no" or if they were too busy. And middle school was hard because all my friends from elementary school drifted away found new friends but I never adjusted so I was mostly alone.

But as time went on I found I prefer it. Humans make me nervous and I go out of my way not to have to deal with them any more than I have to.

R74, sounds like an alien

There's a new TV show about autistics: "As We See It."

I wonder to whom it is supposed to appeal.

R74, thanks for the explanation.

R75 sounds like an immature, attention-seeking, piece of shit.

R47 exactly - the people bragging about being "Aspies" or being "on the spectrum" probably have personality disorders, not autism. I used to work with a mixed population of kids with Down's and autistics. The kids with Down's were invariably smarter, kinder with more socially appropriate behavior. The kids with autism were, frankly, hell. Reminded me that autism used to be called infantile schizophrenia.

I don't think there's been an increase in the number of kids born with autism. I think there's been an increase in the number of kids diagnosed with autism which became 'trendy' following Rain Man, with every mother who couldn't control a kid she spoiled rotten claiming he was autistic.

Autism is a scourge on society

There is an increase of something in my STEM college from 20 years ago, sure. Dead affect, the rigidness, can't easily take instructions, socially frozen or total lack of interest in the social, singularity, odd communication...

[quote] You did that all on your own. I also find it odd that you are hostile and make such horrible assumptions that others view people with disabilities as “poor” and “afflicted.” Therapy might help with that.

For all or your so-called "education" you have very poor reading comprehension. This thread was started by an autism troll, and all throughout it are comments calling autistics "spooky" "frightening" "not trust worthy." Also "They call it autism, but it's really just crazy" and "We need to find a cure now." "A lot of autistic kids/ adults are subhuman monsters." All these negative comments depicting anyone on the autism spectrum as weird, crazy, a waste of space, and you didn't NOTICE? Like I said, your reading comprehension is poor. And you appear to be in agreement with the trolls with your statement that " the majority of people with autism have a significant degree of disability." One of the trolls wholeheartedly agreed with you ("Yep"). So you, you pompous ass, are simply feeding the trolls and telling them what they want to hear. That's pretty fucked up.

R6 is correct about the wide range of intellectual functioning levels with people on the autism spectrum, along with other characteristics affecting their ability to be trained or educated. Even those with unique gifts need a lot of training/education to be able to put them to any sort of constructive use.

R81, brain damage

Do autistics play nice with one another?

ADHD can be misdiagnosed as autism and vice-versa. True savantism is in fact extremely rare- people will talk to someone who has a preoccupation with a subject and be quite knowledgeable about it, but that's not savantism. Autism has upwards of 50 symptoms and can be manifested by any combination to any degree of each, so behavior can be quite variable from one person to the next. The guy portrayed in 'Shine', if you listen to a recording of him playing piano, is not particularly talented- to put it politely.

So many mean, seething cunts in this thread. Talk about lack of empathy. How bloody ironic of YOU to type such foul and callous things. I suppose the autistics have NOT cornered the market on that particular shortcoming. It's really even more apparent how screwed you really are, after you continue posting insults after two autistics have posted here. No grace.

I'd like to say that the two autistic posters are quite brave speaking so openly here about their diagnoses, and their experiences. Both of you write well, and I wish you both all the best.

R87, smell your smug ass

[quote]Idiots savants are a myth

In high school or college I saw a documentary about a man who was "profoundly retarded" (what they called it in the 80s) and blind(!) and he could play anything by ear on the piano. Not just showtunes, but Chopin and Tschaicovsky.

R88 And you sound perfectly lovely yourself mate. Enough with the smelling everything already.

Most autistics are retarded!

Aren’t Autistic kids good with dogs & maybe cats? I would get a nice golden retriever or white or black lab in a second to lighten/soften the situation.

The trolls have been out in full force this weekend, saying intentionally cruel things. Like middle school bullies. Imagine being a grown ass man and still feeling so insecure that you feel like you need to hurt someone else to feel better about yourself. Maybe these trolls are straight republicans. Maybe they're fraus who are finally striking back against DL.

R93 Agreed. Terribly insulting things that are often completely absurd.

R93, Aspie butt hurt . You are not normal!

R93, you are not normal. It's not normal for a grown adult to act like a teenaged mean-girl.

[quote] Most autistics are retarded!

Why should anybody listen to anything you have to say. You're a retarded troll.

[quote] Most autistics are retarded!

They all want cake, Jerri.

My parents had friends who had a son who could tell you the day of the week if you gave him a date. He couldn't live independently and seemed intellectually repressed (retarded). He was part of a study at MIT. His brothers had very high IQs.

He used to have violent outbursts. The wife called my mom once and asked if they could take care of him for a while because he was out of control. My parents were past retirement age, my mom was 4'10" and my dad was 5'7". The son was 6'4". My mother said no and I think that ended the friendship.

R99 - It’s probably not that his IQ is low, he’s probably just not been able to sit through a class or whatever and actually learn something. I knew somebody who was smart and perceptive, but simply uneducated.

Well here’s a positive story. I was friends for years with a guy who actually was a real savant, not just somebody who can talk a lot about a subject. And of all things, he was a bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast, too. Quirky as they come, but a lot of fun to be around and the absolutely hottest body. And a gigantic dick.

we never thought about the possibly superior body parts

I dated, what I found out later, was an autistic man. We were both around 27. Initially I liked this quirkiness. He was an accountant. Very good from what his boss told me. Absolutely focused when at work. In our dating life, he only enjoyed things that he could learn. But strangely, white water rafting is something he really enjoyed, well both of us did.

Sex was.......... mechanical. I'm verse and so it turns out he was. He would fuck me and cum. I would fuck him and cum. If he came first, then he would focus all his attention on making me cum. I mean with an intense concentration. However, I had some of the best orgasms with him. But it was repetitious. He would get flustered if I wanted to try something different or in a different position or even outside of the bedroom.

He had manners and was generally kind, but couldn't relate to people much.

The ignorant and superstitious comment at R5 getting 16 wit and wisdom votes is a good indicator of what DL has become lately.

People with autism have a disability. They're different, not "spooky." Jesus Christ.

True autistics - like schizophrenics - have extremely low sex drives so the fanfic above is..... fanfic.

R105 - This is pure horseshit. SOME do have, others are complete hoes.

R106 they're not autistic then.

So, I’ve wondered…

A coworker of mine is rather slovenly. He wears the same clothes and really doesn’t shower. He looks like Baby Huey. He does the most repetitive task in the office and says it’s good for his brain.

A few weeks ago, we were talking about Princess Diana. He said, “I wish she’d come alive so I could kill her again and we wouldn’t have to hear about her anymore.”

He was also kicked out of high school for making a Columbine joke.

So he’s not all there but very loyal and protective of his family and big on bringing baked goods into work.

What is he? Is it autism, mild retardation (sorry) or something else? He can be very smart. He also likes to sing songs over and over until someone yells at him.

Just because someone exhibits anti-social behavior doesnt make them autistic. I have autistic family members (diagnosed by a dr, not the internet), and theyre not like that. A little annoying and long-winded sometimes but mostly very kind and extremely concerned for and aware of the needs of those around them. Two of them are intellectually disabled but two are not and hold normal jobs and live independently. No violence ever from any of them

R106 What are they then? Why can't autistic people be hoes? Surely not all of them are asexual.

R105 Autistic people are just as sexual as anyone else. They just don't do social cues so they can't tell when they're being flirted with and don't really know how to flirt with others.

R108, they are soulless creatures with no real empathy or connection to humanity

[quote] What is he? Is it autism, mild retardation (sorry) or something else?

Who knows? He'd have to be evaluated by mental health professionals in order to get a diagnosis. He apparently has mental problems but it could be any one of a number of things. But to me it doesn't sound like he has autism.

My crazy ex-boss's adult son was autistic. She'd bring him to the office one day per week. He was a savant with maps and film scores, but nothing else. He'd make the craziest shit up, nobody could tolerate him, especially his mother. I was very patient with him. I'd just nod instead of challenging him.

I wonder how many people were deemed retarded decades ago were actually autistic. My fathers adopted brother spoke in numbers. Definitely autistic but you would think he was retarded. Very sad. I’ve seen what early intervention does and how mainstreamed they can become. They seem more nerdy and aloof if anything but they’re functional.

[quote] I wonder how many people were deemed retarded decades ago were actually autistic. My fathers adopted brother spoke in numbers.

Probably a great deal as “mentally retarded” was a catch all phrase.

When autistics are small, they aren't immediately recognizable just by looking at their faces like kids with Down's are. But by the time they are adults, their faces become distorted, strange expressions. They are immediately recognizable to people who are familiar with autism.

It is. And broken cheezburgers are their krytonite.

R76, I thought I'd check out the show in your link. It turns out that it's not really a documentary. The show is scripted, and actors and the people featured are actually actors. What is the point of watching something like that? I'd rather see a documentary. One of the cable networks made a show about people with Down syndrome a few years back, and the show was pretty cool.

R117 You can always tell by their vacant eyes, odd way of speaking, and just the way they act in general. It is something that can't be hidden.

No, it's not a super power. It is a curse that makes people creepy, awkward, and uncomfortable to be near.

R116, most autistics are retarded ! It’s brain damage

R117, goofy looking to say the least .

R121, R122, 124 = mentally retarded autism trolls. The Three Stooges.

R124, retard

A typo does not a retard make, retard at R125. You are retarded. A retarded troll.

Wow, to the mean-girl troll: As a gay man, you belong to one of them most maligned groups in history. One would think you'd have more empathy for people who are different. Instead you are perpetuating childish, cruel stereotypes.

R105 I think some autistic people do have sex drives. It's just so creepy and awkward when they try to hit on you and is enough to make your skin crawl. It's got to be hard to find dates and hookups when you don't even have the social skills to carry on a conversation.

[R105] You are incorrect. Even people with severe non - verbal autism can have high sex drives.

[quote] I think some autistic people do have sex drives.

Of course they do. It can lead to some unpleasant situations. I heard of a case where a guy "pinned down (his own words)" a girl and stuck his tongue and fingers in her vagina. She said "no, no, no" but he thought she meant "yes, yes, yes." He was eventually convicted of sexual assault, but his helicopter mother has been lobbying for him to get pardoned, because in her mind the girl led him on and he, being autistic, said and did things that were not criminal but inappropriate, like texting the guy she'd dumped him for in high school and bragging "Did I ever tell you about the time I pinned her down and ate her bloody vagina?" He did around three years in prison. His mommy is still trying to get him pardoned. He always had mental problems and got treatment for them but was conveniently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome only AFTER he assaulted the girl. I tend to think he doesn't have autism at all but is mentally ill in some other way. But being autistic is a convenient excuse for committing crimes. It's used as a legal defense these days.

Horrid people

R130 There was also that incident where the drummer from the indie band, Echosmith, was 20 years old and messaging Travis Barker's 13-year-old daughter on Instagram telling her how pretty she is and inviting her to his family barbecue. When she exposed him, he claimed he thought she was the same age as him. Then his family came out saying "He's autistic. He doesn't know any better." I have my doubts. I don't believe anyone, autistic or not, is confusing a 13-year-old for a 20-year-old. Sounds to me like he's a groomer pedo and wanted to use his disability as a tool to manipulate the public and avoid consequences.

This is a very strange announcement, especially if it turns out to be this easy to diagnose.

Wasn't one of the theories of the rise in autism was child vaccinations, leading to a wave of the eco-moms refusing to get their kids vaxxed?

One more tale about my crazy ex-boss's adult autistic son... He was in his late 20s and his mom enrolled him in Paradise Valley Community College. She threatened legal action when they tried to expel him because he was disrupting his classes. He took a liking a younger female student. One of his autism symptoms was he didn't take/perceive hints, like "I really need to go now." Keep in mind he is physically imposing, about 6'3, 180 pounds. He kept following this girl through campus to the parking lot, not taking a hint. She filed a complaint and they expelled him. His mom threatened legal action, except this time they told her to fuck off because they had documentation of sexual harassment.

That article on hair follicle testing as a way of diagnosing autism is interesting because it kind of confirms that autism is a processing disorder—how autistic people process chemicals, their environment, social interactions etc. is different. They have many sensitivities and difficulties and that is because they have a processing disorder

R136, hopefully they can utilize these tests to find a cure for this tragic condition

R132, a disproportionate number of pedophiles are autistic.

no, it definitely is not a super-power if you actually know real autistics. Most of them are mentally retarded.

R57 give him very direct straightforward rules. I have a sibling that is autistic. While they are not always strong on empathy and social cues, they still have feelings and egos. They can be insulted, they have feelings. Being direct, specific, clear and straightforward. Often, if they are like my sibling, they WANT to be able to understand what they are doing wrong, it is just not obvious or intuitive so do give directions that are obvious. Things I have said to my sibling "people like nice people, people like to be around nice people. People avoid other people who yell or say rude things. Say only nice things to people." I think the Good Doctor is realistic. (I know the doctor on that show is exceptionally smart which is not always the case but the social interactions are most of the time realistic).

Autistic people lack cognitive empathy.

Maybe, I wouldn't know!

[quote] a disproportionate number of pedophiles are autistic.

Oh, shut up, troll. You're such a piece of shit.

R143, autistic meltdown cunt

R144, retarded shitstain autism troll

I have a condition with a fair bit of overlap with autism, and I wouldn't call it a super power. I struggled mightily in school, have spent most of my adult life underemployed and struggling to hold down work, and I have almost no friends. The worst part of it is, because I present as so intelligent and well-spoken, people often don't believe I have a disability and instead see me as someone who chooses to be offbeat, blunt, and a bit odd in presentation.

R145, ableist cunt

About 30% of autistic people are transgender; male more than female. Autistic persons are around 6 times more likely to be transgender than non autistic people.

Because they have no self awareness and they love attention r148.

They also have a 30% chance of being a pedophile.

Expired spunk makes for screwed up kids.

Men like women have a biological clock too. After 35 your chances for an autistic kid goes way up. Men have autistic kids and women have down syndrome kids if they are too old.

I’d take a kind downs over an autistic kid any day.

R146 and how was your sex life? Thanks for sharing.

R154, you rock

Vaccines causing autism was bullshit from a British doctor Andrew Wakefield (who has since lost his medical license) who was anxious to make bank off the parents of autistics. The parents of true autistics - not the characters described in fantasies above (most of the people you're describing having personality disorders not autism) - all want to blame someone or something else for the fact their kid is mentally handicapped (politically incorrect but accurate description). Wakefield gave them a potential villain outside of their own genes to blame and - potentially - sue.

Having an autistic kid is generally hell for parents, they are unresponsive, unaffectionate, impossible to communicate with, incredibly demanding. And I feel very sorry for the parents, so finding somebody to blame is very tempting for them.

A lot of the girls (autism is overwhelmingly diagnosed in boys) diagnosed with autism in fact suffer from Reye's Syndrome. And some boys diagnosed with autism have Fragile X.

Eventually there will be a prenatal test for autism like there already are for genetic abnormalities. Autism probably occurs in the 14th-16th week of fetal development.

R156, is the Datalounge post of all time

[quote] They also have a 30% chance of being a pedophile.

No, they don't. Drop dead, retarded autism troll.

I won't do much good to know if your kid is autistic in the womb if abortion is not legal. although people who have money can travel to CA or other blue states

I didn't know about the link with pedophilia. Adam Lanza, the guy who shot all those kids - he was autistic and a pedophile according to his handwritten notes (something the media didn't talk about much for some reason).

[quote] Adam Lanza, the guy who shot all those kids - he was autistic and a pedophile according to his handwritten notes (something the media didn't talk about much for some reason).

Actually it was never determined with all certainty what Adam Lanza's diagnosis was. He was, and remains, "an enigma." But he seemed more schizophrenic than anything else.

Lanza was autistic you retard!

His brother, Ryan Lanza, told ABC News that Adam "is autistic, or has Asperger syndrome and a 'personality disorder.'" So I am assuming that's what Lanza was diagnosed with.

[quote] Lanza was autistic you retard!

Read it and weep, you retarded asshole freak:

NEWTOWN -- The 20-year-old man who carried out the Sandy Hook shootings might have been suffering from schizophrenia, a psychologist says in a new book about school shooters.

The view of psychologist Peter Langman goes further in characterizing the seriousness of Adam Lanza's mental instability than a report from the state's child advocate office, but it reaches the same conclusion: There is no adequate explanation for why he shot his way into the school and killed 20 first-graders and six educators.

"My speculation is that he may well have been schizophrenic and therefore not really in touch with reality -- and that is important if you are trying to understand a motive," said Langman, whose book profiles 48 school shooters. "Some of the school shooters had a clear grievance with a teacher who flunked them or a girl who dumped them -- but if someone is psychotic, then the concept of a logical motive may not apply. The rationale may be irrational."

Langman's observations are drawn from a 140-page study of Lanza's mental health records released in November by the state Office of the Child Advocate.

Er, you can be autistic as well as schizophrenic and I've no doubt that he was autistic - he was diagnosed with it and clearly had a lot of the sensory stuff, rigidity, did not interact well with others.

The schizophrenia stuff seems like a giant hypothesis if we don't even know that he had delusions, hallucinations. He may simply have hated his mother and killed the kids because he wanted them sexually but knew he couldn't have them (like Thomas Hamilton of the Dunblane tragedy). I think that's at least just as plausible a theory as schizophrenia.

Only for those with Savant Syndrome.

I’ve been working in the field for years now. The posters upthread about the lack of empathy. That’s just the truth. We’re talking about a mental disorder here. It’s more apparent the more verbal the individual is. It’s also interesting psychologically to see how prone they are to manipulation too. It makes you wonder if tendency to manipulate is an instinctual thing that everyone does. Unfortunately, they lack sophistication and it’s easy to suss out, especially since it’s usually in connection of trying to gain access to tangibles.

I work with people on the severe end of autism and the behaviors are something else. And very rarely are they outwardly violent. They put themselves through the ringer. Bashing their hands into tables, the walls. Stripping naked, running through the halls, punching their necks. Literally ripping their testicles out or picking meaty chunks from their skulls while screaming for hours in a door frame.

Whenever I see Greta or the “spectrum” wannabes, I always wonder what the appeal is in being lumped in with this group.

R167 Most autistic people are blunt and straightforward. They aren't manipulative because they lack the social skills and awareness to be fake like everyone else. They'll tell you what they want and what they think. What you see is what you get.

I've known two kids with autism. One was extremely blunt, not to be purposely hurtful, this was just his way of interacting with people. For example he once said to a teacher, "You stink."

The other one was a little more complex. He was obsessed with license plate numbers and would rhyme them off to anyone who would listen. I was related to his father, who told me that the boy had difficulty sleeping, and most of the times I saw him he had dark shadows around his eyes. There was a lot of OCD there, as well. When I met his mother, I was astonished how similar she was to her son - a lot of obsessiveness and needless fussing.

They suck and should be avoided as much as possible

Agree with R168. I had a coworker on the spectrum. One of the reasons she got under people's skin was that she was too honest. She wasn't trying to be mean or difficult. She just didn't know how to be "diplomatic".

For example: Mary (with Aspergers) and John (neuro-typical) shared an office. Mary was very friendly and would greet John warmly and ask about his day. When the boss approached and asked how they were doing, Mary said, "I'd like some noise cancelling headphones. It's hard to do my work with John yacking on the phone all day. I get distracted when I work on my projects because John yacks on the phone all day long." She was honestly answering her boss's question, unaware of the unspoken social rule that "You shouldn't rat out your co-workers." Of course, John then got pissed and stopped talking to Mary. (Even though it was true, he regularly had personal, one-hour phone calls on the clock.)

This woman was an editor, and she often rubbed people the wrong way when she pointed out their mistakes to them. But she was an amazing editor because of her "black and white" thinking when it came to enforcing the company style guide.

Autistic people are users. They really do have no empathy and only care about people to get what they can out of them. One autistic person I know is 28 years old and never worked one job his entire life. He lives off his parents. He is perfectly capable of working, he just doesn't do it. And he gets on Grindr and tries to catfish people for nudes. But he isn't smart enough to be good at it so he was a really obvious catfish. I asked who he was really because I knew it wasn't really him in those pictures and he ended up confessing and then tried to apologize, but I was so disgusted.

Yes, r172

My son is 16 and when he was a toddler autism was EVERYWHERE. I was terrified that he might be autistic (it turns out that he's just smart and shy). I was scared that he wouldn't be able to show emotion or relate to me or anyone. Yes, autism terrifies me.

I think Adam Lanza was just a fucked up autistic kid. He had that long autistic face. I though it was said that he killed the kids because it was easy and he was just looking for a high body count. He didn't have real emotions so children meant nothing to him. He was just horrible.

Okay, I think I have shared this before. I am NOT an anti-vaxxer. We had a cat with a tumor. Vet told us that there is a vaccine caused sarcoma. She said it was caused when multi-dose vaccine vials were used, but not shaken before each dose was drawn from the container. The preservative (themerisol) would collect at the bottom of the container, and the last dose drawn from the vial would be basically all themerisol. (The cat didn't end up having that but did die at age ten. I will love him forever.) This was over ten years ago, when autism was being diagnosed like crazy.

Yes, trans is associated with autism because autistic kids only see black and white (or pink and blue). They are very concrete thinkers. I've said this before, but autistics think that if you like pink, you have to be a girl. They think it's impossible to be a boy who likes pink. That is the problem.

P.S. I think a lot of people are having their children diagnosed with autism because they can collect government money, like $750 a month.

[quote] They suck and should be avoided as much as possible.

I'm sure everyone who knows you thinks the exact same thing...about YOU. "He (or she) sucks! And should be avoided as much as possible!"

[quote] One autistic person I know is 28 years old and never worked one job his entire life. He lives off his parents. He is perfectly capable of working, he just doesn't do it. And he gets on Grindr and tries to catfish people for nudes. But he isn't smart enough to be good at it so he was a really obvious catfish. I asked who he was really because I knew it wasn't really him in those pictures and he ended up confessing and then tried to apologize, but I was so disgusted.

What makes you think he's "autistic", you dumbass? He sound pretty typical for someone his age.

That’s simply not true, R168. We had a highly verbal individual who would fixate on certain things, like when an absent staff member would come back from vacation or a certain food was supposed to arrive at the house. They’d ask direct questions for hours and hours, receive clear direct answers, ask again, given the same answers, and when redirected to focus on something else, they would find new tactics and indirect ways to ask the questions again. “Who’s working Friday? Are they bringing dinner for themselves?”

For the non verbal ones, it was as simple as waiting for someone to look in the other direction and quickly stealing their food or drink. One individual at another company nearly choked to death after stealing food and quickly trying to eat it in the bathroom.

They manipulate. This is not a value judgment on their moral character. It is a byproduct of their psychological condition. If you close your eyes to certain things, you’re not truly helping them grow towards independence.

No.

I have two friends with Asperger's and both have trouble with social cues. One of them is quite pleasant and helpful and it's easier to tolerate any awkwardness. The other is a genius with music, but cold and detached with a really creepy intense stare that creeps people out. I don't think it's a one size fits all thing. They're each very different people.

One of the most loathsome people I've ever encountered in my life apparently has Asperger's, but I really believe they were just saying that to get sympathy and have a free license to continue being an ass hole and doing their insane anti-social shit.

2 famous/infamous autistics off hand: Darryl Hannah and the woman who brought down some film execs, Charlotte Kirk.

R167 yes. I can't believe all the shit on here from people who 'think' they're autistic and have never worked with autistic kids/teens/people in their lives.

Lanza no doubt had Antisocial Personality Disorder.

R177 It's common for a 28-year-old to still live with their parents and never have a single job, even McDonald's?

I went to high school with an autistic person who gave me the creeps. The way he sat there staring at people with those intense eyes, never speaking a single word UNLESS it was about horror films. Those seemed to be the only things he knew about or cared about and he would just recite facts about them like what year they were made and who starred in them. And that raspy, monotone voice he sounded just like a robot.

He just gave me the creeps and made me uncomfortable. I was sure that if anyone went on a school shooting spree, he'd be the one.

R56 what the fuck are you talking about. There are people in their twenties who have autistic children. The age of the parent does not guarantee they will have an autistic child. A lot of factors leads to autism in children. I have heard of instances in which autism is prevalent in a family. One of the parent has autism and one of the it child becomes autistic. Basically genetic trait.

Spectrum disorders and “queerness” are identifiers that are very easy to exploit by people with other mental disorders who operate in a system where victimhood is a currency and just being white and straight doesn’t seem valid enough.

People in polite society don’t question spectrum diagnoses and sexual identities so some very damaged people co-opt these identities to get away with the alienating parts of their identity under a socially acceptable banner.

These have become political identifiers more than any true identity. Is Greta Thunberg non-binary yet? I’m sure it’s coming. It’s mostly sanctimonious young people who want to rage against the patriarchy and combat any accusations of being white and privileged. “But I’m not privileged! Im in a neurodivergent minority!” “I am not a part of the system, I thought a girl was pretty once so I’m a valid member of the LGBT+ community!”

These are the type of people who would attempt blackface if they could get away with it. Unfortunately, cutesy awkward spectrum babies get all the attention and representation.

One thing clear from this thread is no one here is defining autism. It's the typical muddle when talking about autism. That's largely because autism isn't one condition. It's a cluster of conditions. A spectrum is not a high/low thing. Think of the color spectrum--you are either on or off it, not "high or low". You wouldn't say my green shirt is "a little bit on the spectrum".

To be diagnosed as having autism means you have struggles with several of the categories listed in the link. You might also be high ability in one or two of them. But If you have issues with ONLY one of them, like sensory processing, then you are a person with sensory processing difficulties. You are not autistic.

People with autism have varying degrees of abilities in all these areas. That's why autistic people present differently but are still on the spectrum.

[quote] It's common for a 28-year-old to still live with their parents and never have a single job, even McDonald's?

Yep. Deadbeat, fucked up adult children are a dime a dozen.

R188, a dead beat autistic nerd who thinks he is God lives with parents late in life

[quote] dead beat autistic nerd who thinks he is God lives with parents late in life

What makes you think he's autistic? His behavior is like that of many an ordinary loser who's been coddled by his parents. Nothing "autistic" about it. Not everybody in the world has autism.

R190 You didn't know this person.

R187 talking about a "spectrum" = high-functioning, moderate-functioning, low-functioning. These terms apply to all individuals with learning disabilities. Compare them to people with Down's Syndrome. I've worked with kids with Down's who were profoundly affected. I've worked with other who were high-functioning, full literate, with socially appropriate behavior and capable of a good degree of independence in adult life. The same with autistics though they tend to be more incapable of learning socially appropriate behavior. The same is true for people with Williams Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Angelman's, etc., etc. There are many learning disabilities beyond autism and Down's which are the only ones the general public are familiar with.

R190 I used those two things as an example of how he uses people (whether it be for money or sex), not necessarily as autistic traits. He did have social difficulties so I can't imagine him working where he had to deal with the public. But he could at least wash a dish, sweep a floor, or do something. I agree with the people who say autistic people have no empathy or true feelings towards others because this particular person I knew didn't seem to have any interest in other people outside of what they could offer him.

[quote] But he could at least wash a dish, sweep a floor, or do something. I agree with the people who say autistic people have no empathy or true feelings towards others because this particular person I knew didn't seem to have any interest in other people outside of what they could offer him.

There are people in this world who are LAZY. Really lazy. I doesn't have anything to do with autism. And not having "any interest in other people outside of what they could offer him" seems more of a sociopathic trait than an autistic one.

If they have been professionally diagnosed as on the autistic spectrum, what's the problem? Why is there someone here trying to deny that.

If you know about autism, I think you can tell just by looking at someone whether or not they have it. There is a certain look in their eyes, something in the way they move that is a dead giveaway. And when they start talking, it confirms what you've suspected.

R196 would you clock Naomi Osaka as autistic? I've wondered.

Yes, r197. Her robotic speaking style and her cold demeanor.

Autistics have dead behind the eyes look . There’s a real coldness there

R197 she's obviously a borderline, not autistic.

R200 Are there any public figures you think could secretly be autistic?

[quote] If you know about autism, I think you can tell just by looking at someone whether or not they have it.

Not true at all and that's why many men only get diagnosed late in life, like Wentworth Miller.

My best friend and an ex are in the spectrum no one can tell that he is unless he tells you. It is a spectrum for a reason.

So many stupidity here. Many aspies even look people in the eye, my ex did. You guys are as clueless about autism as you are about masculinity and the world of men.

[quote] If you know about autism, I think you can tell just by looking at someone whether or not they have it.

That is absolutely NOT true. What a stupid statement.

R202 I am on the spectrum myself and for the longest time I genuinely believed I was like everyone else and no one could tell despite me having no friends and no social life to speak of. But I had such little self awareness that it actually crossed my mind that I may have been misdiagnosed. Then my "robotic voice" started to get made fun of more often, people would randomly start asking me out of the blue if I had autism or Aspergers, or even refer to me as an autistic person without me even telling them so. So it is much more obvious than I thought and in my delusional mind I thought no one even noticed.

So you're right. It really is a spectrum. It is obvious and every person with it is different.

R204, it’s a terrible affliction

R205, sounds like you are the one with the "terrible affliction." Very sad.

Bump

They have a retarded look to them

The datalounge shut stirrer using one of the tried and true shit stirring thread topics - autism. Along with Britishisms, Americanisms and Canadianisms.

[quote] They have a retarded look to them.

I'm sure anyone who takes a look at you says to themselves : "Poor thing. Obviously retarded."

[quote]My boy is autistic and his drama group have adapted Twelfth Night to write a part for him where he runs on stage and interrupts the dialogue to reel off lists of facts about the play. Knowing loads of facts is his superpower. He loves his part. - Naomi Rovnick

R211, is she being comedic ? Lmao

How do. any of you know that a coworker or any other random person in your life is a diagnosed autistic? A lot of these stories are questionable at best when they read like disgruntled assholes bashing some random person they know and diagnosing them as "autistic" based on some ignorant assumption. I'm especially bemused by the several posters claiming multiple coworkers are autistic. Why should we take your word on anything when you apparently work exclusively alongside mentally challenged adults??

R231, because there is something so profoundly off with even the so called high functioning ones . They are disturbing.

You can always tell if someone is on the autism spectrum because just like vegans, they'll make sure you know by announcing it at every given opportunity.

And the vegan autistics are the worse!

R213 If you know what you're looking for, you can spot an autistic person within seconds of being in their presence. The signs are unmistakable.

[quote] because there is something so profoundly off with even the so called high functioning ones . They are disturbing.

Oh, fuck off, you retarded autism troll. Just fuck off. Just get a fucking life.

[quote] If you know what you're looking for, you can spot an autistic person within seconds of being in their presence. The signs are unmistakable.

Uh, no. You are full of shit. Eat shit, autism troll.

R213 Are they obsessed with one specific topic which they ramble on and on about? Do they have monotone, robotic sounding voices? Do they talk slowly with the words drawn out? Do they not make eye contact? Do they act upset if there are changes in their routine? Do they generally just act weird, awkward, and creepy and make everyone uncomfortable? These are the ways you can usually tell.

Seems like a lot of you know jack shit about autism or various mental illnesses. Buy yourselves a DSM. Most of the people you're describing have personality disorders not autism.

R221 Enlighten us then. What are autistic people like?

R221, they don't need the DSM, you can "just tell" someone is autistic by "looking at them."

DL is such a damn joke these days. It's nothing but fantasists, trolls and lunatics anymore.

Maybe the autism trolls are autistic themselves, since obsessing over one specific topic is a common trait of autism. Autism could be their topic of choice.

Nobody can diagnose who does or doesn't have autism from a fucking paragraph on Datalounge.

I was in a clinic to get an MRI and some parents decided to bring their autistic 4 year old who did nothing but run in circles in the waiting room and make this repetitive grunting noise. After about ten minutes it made me so anxious and annoyed. I asked to sit in another waiting room. I feel bad for parents saddled with that 24/7. I didn’t even last 10 minutes.

You guys should watch Love On the Spectrum. It’s on Netflix and covers autistic young adults, looking for love.

R221 How can you diagnose strangers you've never seen nor met with personality disorders based on paragraphs other people wrote about them?

R224, nice try. That ⛽️ light 💡 doesn’t work anymore.

I reiterate, majority of autistics are mentally retarded . The others are not much either.

More like a stupor power.

Sometimes it’s just social retardation. Ever been around incel gamers? Yeah, girls today are too picky—sure Jan—could it be because you never leave the house, have no social skills, and only eat and use the bathroom in the real world?

[quote] I reiterate, majority of autistics are mentally retarded . The others are not much either.

I reiterate, you are a loser mentally retarded troll.

R233, is truly retarded lol

Autistic people make me sick. Why don't you talk and act like a normal person? It really isn't that hard.

Avoid them for your own sanity

R234 is the retarded autism troll again! He has no life outside of Datalounge, apparently.

[quote] Autistic people make me sick. Why don't you talk and act like a normal person? It really isn't that hard.

It's the retarded autism troll! AGAIN!

[quote] Avoid them for your own sanity

The exact words said about you, retarded autism troll: "Avoid that retard for your own sanity!"

R238, “ Retarded autism “. Is redundant

I think the term gets overused and become an umbrella “diagnosis”. Some pre school kids start school and are either spoiled or have had few or no boundaries at home up until then. So when they are a holy terror in the classroom, they are diagnosed with ADHD, when really they have never had to be responsible for their behavior—or it’s justified by lawnmower parents.

Personally I think people who claim to be on the spectrum or aspies are just socially awkward or choose social arenas where they aren’t required to learn social cues and interaction with others. If 90% of your days are spent online playing video games, of course you aren’t going to be able to interact as easily in person. But that doesn’t mean you are an aspie/autistic.

Colleges also now require students to do group projects more as part of the curriculum because many were entering the workplace lacking the skill to work with others as a group. They only knew how to excel personally and didn’t know how to concede control, delegate authority, or work collaboratively with others.

It’s akin to people who prefer clothing or interests than are traditionally associated with the opposite sex now saying they have gender dysphoria, instead of just accepting they are unlike the conventional man or woman. You can be unconventional without a diagnosis. It doesn’t mean you should be or consider yourself trans unless that is actually the reality.

R241 What about people who are diagnosed by a professional?

I think that’s a different situation. It just seems to me that it doesn’t always apply, and some people who are deemed ( or have deemed themselves) aspires or highly functioning autistics might have other issues. It’s not denying the conditions exist, because they do.

Only on Datalounge would people debate the diagnoses of people who are probably imaginary anyway.

Find a cure now!

R246 For one thing, the autism spectrum is bigger than it used to be. Disorders like Aspergers, PDD-NOS and childhood disintegrative disorder which used to be considered separate are now all lumped together as "autism spectrum disorder."

There is no such thing as misdiagnosis. You're either weird and retarded or you're not. There's no mistaking that.

Well, there's certainly no mistaking that R248 is weird and retarded.

R248, there are a lot of stupid doctors and clinicians. Unless there is some kind of definite physical test, there can be mistakes.

If it's ever misdiagnosed, I think it's very rare. If people on here with no medical degree whatsoever can spot an autistic person when they see one, it shouldn't be a problem for a trained professional.

super power??!! WTF!! they're retarded. most of then can't function on their own.

Creepy folks

[quote] f it's ever misdiagnosed, I think it's very rare. If people on here with no medical degree whatsoever can spot an autistic person when they see one, it shouldn't be a problem for a trained professional.

"People on here with no medical degree whatsoever" CAN't "spot an autistic person when they see one", you moron.

[quote] super power??!! WTF!! they're retarded. most of then can't function on their own.

You're the retard here, autism troll. I bet you can't even wipe your own ass.

The autistic guy who works at Shoprite was walking around talking to himself today. I hadn't seen him in months. Anyway, he's an Indian guy, maybe late 30's, I don't know. (Do autistic people age well? He doesn't seem to be aging.)

Anyway, the voice tone is a huge indicator. It's something with the gaze too. Maybe autistics don't "fix" on anything. (Totally different, but women can tell straight vs. gay guys by the gaze. Almost all straight guys look at almost all women, up to a certain age. If you're the prettiest girl in the group, they'll look at you. If there's a prettier girl in the group, they'll look at her.) But there's something just super weird about the autistic gaze.

People like R241 can fuck off with their invalidating doctors and patients. If an experienced professional says someone is autistic and the person knows they are, then who are you to say otherwise?

To many autistic people, I'm sorry. I guess your autism is cancelled out because some jackass on Datalounge says you aren't autistic after all. You're just spoiled and aren't around people enough. Of course autistic people can learn how to function in social situations because they observe others and imitate them. It's called "masking."

No one is saying the diagnosis of autism and Asperger’s aren’t legitimate. It’s that some oddballs self diagnose or are put umbrella of those diagnoses by confounded professionals. I know a couple of people like this.

I also know people with serious mental health issues who have joined the gender dysphoria/genderqueer menagerie, when in reality I think it’s because it gives them a social arena where they don’t feel so out of place or stigmatized. However, I see their participation as more cosplay than any real gender issue. Their issues are more mental health, but that group gives them a tribe and sense of belonging.

Aspergers is a form of pathological narcissism

[quote] Aspergers is a form of pathological narcissism

Nope. You're a pathological moron.

R258 But I wonder what gives you the authority to decide whether or not someone is truly autistic. How do you know? If the professionals who diagnosed them aren't qualified, then why are you?

You can kind of tell the difference. If someone is disabled and doesn't seem to grow out of it, that's real. But if someone is a genius and dates and is doing fairly well in life, that's probably not autism.

I have a father who is suffering from something. He is not a fully normal guy. I have to admit that he is very, very smart though. He didn't seem to care that much about living a normal life, though he is regretting it. So I used to think maybe it was some slight asperger's, maybe. Now I think it's all just that Freud was right. His childhood was fucked up as hell. He was this total genius (with a probably smart younger brother who I don't know. Guy lives in Mexico) from a poor family, alcoholic dad, and it turns out there was a younger brother who had Down Syndrome who was taken in by the grandparents. So you have to imagine that his mother treated him like a god, right? And all this turned him into a total mess. I know, boring story. Autism probably isn't psychological, I know that's not a thing anymore and hasn't been since the 70's or 80's. But I'm saying intense psychological problems can have some of the same effects as autism.

Bump

R262 I've heard the saying "If you've met one person with autism you've met that person with autism" meaning that no two are exactly alike. Each autistic person has their own set of strengths and weaknesses.

R264, wrong! It’s a brain abnormality

R265 And your point? All autistic people have areas they struggle in more than others. Many have areas they excel in. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to autism.

Abort these drains on society

R262 Well, if they were diagnosed as either autistic or Aspie before the "intense psychological problems" started, then you know that's not what it is. I agree with you to a certain extent. Autism is something you can't just outgrow or turn on and off. It's for life. But I also think people can learn to adapt and do the best they can with the tools they have. It just means they may have to work twice as hard at it as a neurotypical person. I don't think it necessarily means someone was misdiagnosed or are pretending, though, if they happen to have a job, a car, a house, and a family. They call it "the spectrum" for a reason.

Autistics are usually so ugly

Prof in a STEM university with plenty of kids and not a few colleagues on the spectrum. Autistics are mostly easy to identify and vary greatly and if they have made it to university they aren't the retards nor are they "usually so ugly". Of course they are not the glamazons.

r262, I always joke about, "A fine line between genius and madness", but deep down I think it's true- look at all the artists and musicians that "go mad" in their lives- they just see the world and reality differently than normal people. My father was similar to yours- he's in Ripley's as a child prodigy, was the prize of family, and became a profound abusive alcoholic. His father was mentally and physically abusive towards him in a weird way ( e.g. holding giant dictionaries with arms parallel as he would recite things like the Gettysburg address when he was 3). He theorized that his father (who had a degree in animal husbandry) was raising him to be the smartest animal in a failed brood of 5- his siblings were always resentful that he went to college and got his Masters. He was working on his PhD when he had me, and had to drop out.

[troll 5929] Q.E.D.