‘Neural noise’ could be a hidden advantage of the autistic mind
But some research, including our own study, has explored specific advantages in autism. Studies have shown that in some cognitive tasks, autistic people perform better than allistic people.
Autistic people face ignorance, prejudice and discrimination that can harm wellbeing. Poor mental and physical health, reduced social connections and increased “camouflaging” of autistic traits are some of the negative impacts that autistic people face.
So, research underlining and investigating the strengths inherent in autism can help reduce stigma, allow autistic people to be themselves and acknowledge autistic people do not require “fixing”.
The autistic brain is different. It comes with limitations, but it also has its strengths.
Or, an autistic who isn't afraid and/or shy to share that they are actually autistic?
Or, an autistic person who is active in the autism acceptance “movement” (if we can call it that)?
Or, perhaps, an autistic who were interviewed and disclosed they're autistic?
Maybe you have other considerations or criteria that defines “openly autistic” for you?
NOTE: Being openly autistic is a choice and is not for everyone. I think it is safe to say that we all face discrimination, stereotyping, and prejudice for being actually autistics, thus, most choose not to be open about it.
However, recently, there has been a slow growth in numbers of openly autistics, and like with most things in life, we have different criteria, definitions, and cultural considerations.
Thus, I am curious what you think, personally or maybe your immediate environment or organisation, is an openly autistic person. Or, when do you consider one as openly autistic.
Again, this is not about if an autistic person should be openly autistic or not. ^_^
As an autistic myself, there are some things I should have tried but did not have the courage to do so.
Thus, my personal advice, is to encourage your autistic (and NT) children to give it a try. Don't shield them because you “love them a lot”. Once they grow up, like in my experience, they will secretly always think, “I should've done this and that and see what happened, and maybe my life would be better”.
Here are some in my case:
Voice acting. Our teachers, my classmates, and later work colleagues, have always said I can do well in reading. They feel the emotions and get immersed in the story.
That's how far I did it. Today, I'm thinking, I should've taken a voice acting lesson, and maybe work as a voice actor.
Physical labour. I'm not choosy when it comes to job, especially at my current age, a job is a job. (As long as it isn't a crime and immoral, of course.) Sadly, I was shielded from it because they “love me so much and don't want me to go through what they went through in life”.
The result of that wasn't good at all. I got stuck in office and BPO for a long time, and now it is so hard to move careers. My heart is in service and “people watching”, and to this day, it is so hard to get into a hotel-type of work. They either want you to have graduated in Business Administration or Hotel & Restaurant Management courses; or can carry a 30 kg baggage. Both of which I don't have.
I had to take B.S. Mathematics and Computer Science because, well, that's what they told me… office work.
You see, your “love” and not wanting your children to go through what you went through, can be detrimental for your children. It's fine to shield them, but it is also very easy for that shielding to limit your children's future.
This is especially important for us autistics who are already experiencing discrimination at work, and prejudice against hiring an autistic.
Instead of overprotecting your children, work with them. Identify what they want and see what can be done with it. If what they want would lead to “disaster” then nudge them gently to better options. Options, plural, not “what you want”.
There are autistics who can join the workforce, and in various capacities. Encourage us and guide us, but don't be overprotective and showing only one path. It might look good at that point in time, but how about the future?
@ronsboy67 Interesting. The IRIS franchise, especially the spin-off Athena, was well received here. In my case, it's actually the first time I've heard someone who did not like it. I guess that points to cultural differences and genre preferences. Was it perfect? Of course not.
As for Strong Woman, was it not the point of the writer to expose it without getting a negative reaction from their own culture? If one's culture (in this case, the writer's) still have prejudices against this and that, fiction is often the best way to express it and to expose it. Fiction has been used that way for centuries.
Many #Kdrama I've seen for the past 7 years touched on sensitive issues common in South Korea that either no one is talking about or you'll get cancelled for raising it up (for example, toxic feminism). So, fiction became a medium. It's there, and hopefully people in Korea noticed it at least (because foreign fans typically missed it and instead are drooling for their favourite actors).
This is what I like with K-drama, and #Jdrama for that matter, there are social issues embedded in their stories. This has been forgotten, in general, in Western entertainment. In the West, it's about how much money they'll earn; to the point that they'll pretend they agree with “movements” just so members of those “movements” will watch their shows. This is why I like “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”, because of all the “nuTrek”, SNW is the only one that went back to its roots (but it does not mean I don't like the other ”nuTrek” series).
Going back to Korea, it was actually amazing that productions like “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” and “Innocent Witness” were green lit, as well as, “The Devil Judge” and “The Killing Vote”. These shows directly addressed social (and political) issues. If I take a guess, they got green lit because those issues (prejudice against #Autistics; and corrupt politicians) apply not just in South Korea, but everywhere else; otherwise, they more likely have to do embed it, or just mention in passing.
In any case, maybe it is just me. When I watch, I try to unlock the mind and goal of the writer, and understand the story from their perspective. What made prompted them to write it this way? What drove the director to express an act in a particular way?
For example, the K-drama “Please Don't Date Him”, and another one I can't recall right now, got so much negative reaction from foreign audiences. Some even had the audacity to make statements like “it doesn't happen in real life” or “the writer should quit, they don't know how to write a good story”. But, when I explained it to them, they changed their mind.
It's the same with “Grid”, “Alice”, and “Sisyphus: The Myth”. The writers got reactions like “the writer is dumb”; “that's now how time travel works”; “they should stop writing, they suck”. Likewise, after explaining it to them, they understood the story and what the writer had in mind.
So, I guess, it is just me seeing things differently in these stories. Maybe because I see these as a form of #Art. If it is an art, then we have to view it and understand it from the creator's perspective.
> For this reason, autistic communities prefer the use of identity-first language.
I'll be surprised if #Autism NGOs doesn't lobby against that.
The “person-first” language is strong in many members of autism NGOs in the country.
Majority of it are a “go” for me. I'm just 50-50 on the database part. While I understand why, it lacks requirement on ensuring the privacy and security of such a database; and a bulleted list and details on what that data will be used for. It should be specific, not broad. Otherwise, I think it is best not to build that database.
We've already seen how useless the #SIMregistration is. They pushed for it simply to collect data. They used scams and spams as a reason, and though people were warned against the uselessness of #SIMreg, the majority fell for it. (We're getting 100% more scams and spams after it was implemented.)
It gets ask oftentimes why an #Autistic person would choose not getting an official diagnosis.
Some clarification first:
“Official diagnosis” = recorded in your file (which also reflects in your government record, usually).
“Unofficial diagnosis” = not recorded in your file
“Self diagnosis” = self-diagnosis, which typically take years of study before the person comes up with their final self diagnosis.
Now back to the topic.
A common reason is: to have an option to not disclose it. Consider the following:
There are countries which won't allow a visitor (regardless of purpose), or a migrant, to enter without declaring someone already living there; or without a companion.
Jobs. While some countries require companies to have at least 1% of their workforce to be from the PWD community, they won't pick an autistic person. (Note: this is a job where the autistic person is safe, and qualified.)
Generally, if your diagnosis is “official” (it was placed on record), and a situation arises where you are obligated to declare your health and disability, you have no choice but to disclose.
But if your diagnosis is “unofficial” (not on record), then you have an option not to disclose. No record = no record. (Of course, some will find a way to justify that “you know it and you still did not disclose it”. Though ironically, if there was no incident, they won't even acknowledge your disclosure.)
There are also disadvantages to it, like not enjoying government and NGO support. For example, in the #Philippines, you'll enjoy tax deductions (income tax) and discounts (public transportation, cinema, grocery, and so on).
So, yes, please remember that #ActuallyAutistics who chose to have their formal diagnosis as “unofficial”, they chose to have an option to not disclose. Not only that, they potentially sacrificed any benefits and support they might need later. (Don't forget, diagnosis is also expensive in many countries and still they chose not to put it on record.)
Bottom-line, don't dismiss, don't laugh, don't discriminate against #Autistics who decided to have an “unofficial diagnosis” and “self diagnosis”. They have their reasons, you more likely than not are not aware of. Reasons that probably doesn't exist in your country, but an issue in theirs.
For example, mine is “unofficial”. Other than the reasons I listed above, there is another important reason: family. There are family members from their generation where they'll be devastated if someone's “officially” recorded as PWD psychologically. (Ironic, one of them I suspect to be autistic as well.)
As an #Asian, the #family unit is very indispensable for us. I'd rather make the sacrifice because I know I won't pass this way of thinking to the next generation. (Trust me, there are times when I want to afford the benefits stated in our law for PWDs.)
What are your most liked autistic-centered (or ADHD-centered) websites (created and edited by autistics and/or ADHDers) that have informative, well-sourced and thoughtful articles about autism, ADHD, and neurodiversity?
1 + 7 = 8, although an even number, it symbolises infinity and eternity, and us #ActuallyAutistics
13 is also special.
A Prime
An Odd
A Fibonacci number
And depending on whom you ask:
The 8th Fibonacci number
The 7th Fibonacci number
Ironically:
The anniversary of my first romantic relationship was on: 1997-07-17. It was my first love who picked that, and she had no idea what my favourite numbers are.
My height is 175 cm or 5'7.5" to 5'8.5" (depending on whom you ask).
Favourite time of the day: 07:00 and 19:00 (7pm). 19 is the 8th Prime. (There's 8 again.)
It describes it as:
“Autistic burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports. It is characterized by pervasive, long-term (typically 3+ months) exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus.” ~Raymaker et al, 2020
Typically the Autistic person in question will still have multiple demands in their life that require cognitive resources, despite having little to no resources left to give. Life goes on, as they say.
** NOTE: these are some of those I have used, or actively using, (or can handle the load). There are plenty others out there, even thematic ones for #neurodivergents, #autistics, specific religions, #fandoms, you name it.
Just ask the #Fediverse for people's recommendations.