Discussion Do you think that autism is a super power?

[Bannana]

Anybody can feel free to answer this question no matter whether you're autistic or neurotypical though I'd be more interested to hear answers from the former group

I've seen many neurotypicals and even a few autistic people claim that autism is a super power. I'm not sure why they believe this but I assume it's because of stereotypes portrayed in media where the autistic character has a hyperfixation on something that can be easily comodified (like maths or physics for example). Then the autistic person is portrayed as this awkward super genius.

I personally think that autism is far from being a super power and I say this as an autistic person. If anything, it's more like a super villain than a super power as it took everything away from me before my life even started. When I look around me at society, I notice that the majority of people are who I could have been instead of being in suffering at even the slightest thing gone wrong. Autism is incredibly debilitating for me and there's no way to cure it. It makes me incompatible with life and I'll always be incompatible with life due to this

I struggle due to it on many aspects of life. I can't socialise (never made an irl friend or acquaintance during my entire life), I never really had any interests (yes, that means no special interests too), I collapse at even the slightest bit of pressure and I get easily irritated at my general surroundings for always being too loud. There are more things that make me feel like I'm living life on hard mode due to my autism but I'm honestly just in too much pain to remember any more and list them.

I'll never understand those who say it's a super power when, for me, it's one of the worst disabilities that I can get that makes me so disconnected from the human experience

autism is a spectrum, depending on where you fall and the support you have from the people around you it can have positives and negatives in your life

 

[LevUwU]

If autism is a superpower then I'm fucking batman.

 

[ijustwishtodie]

If autism is a superpower then I'm fucking batman.

So relatable. Also, woah, is your profile picture ceroba!? Out of all the profile pictures I've seen on this site which contains a character or a person, yours is the first one whose character I actually know about

 

[KuriGohan&Kamehameha]

The only super power autism gives me is making me super suicidal.

 

[LevUwU]

So relatable. Also, woah, is your profile picture ceroba!? Out of all the profile pictures I've seen on this site which contains a character or a person, yours is the first one whose character I actually know about

I miss my dead husband and missing daughter

 

[ijustwishtodie]

I miss my dead husband and missing daughter

Ouch.. that explains the profile picture (minus the government part). Either way, I hope you find peace soon

 

[sserafim]

The only super power autism gives me is making me super suicidal.

Literally

 

[LevUwU]

Ouch.. that explains the profile picture (minus the government part). Either way, I hope you find peace soon

I was rp-ing Ceroba, I (sadly) do not have a husband (dead or alive) nor kid(s) as I am incapable of having them (also sad). Thank you for your well wishes regardless.

 

[Silent_cries]

The only super power autism gives me is making me super suicidal.

Same, and being an extreme overrhinker as well. Fml!

Same, and being an extreme overrhinker as well. Fml!

*overthinker

 

[ijustwishtodie]

I was rp-ing Ceroba, I (sadly) do not have a husband (dead or alive) nor kid(s) as I am incapable of having them (also sad). Thank you for your well wishes regardless.

Wait, you were..? I thought that you had her as your profile picture because you shared a common trait, that common trait being loss of a husband and daughter. I blame my autism for taking things too literally

 

[LevUwU]

Wait, you were..? I thought that you had her as your profile picture because you shared a common trait, that common trait being loss of a husband and daughter. I blame my autism for taking things too literally

Ah it's fine, but don't forget! "Autism is a superpower :)" >_>

 

[sserafim]

No, having autism has not been a superpower for me. Pic very much related.

View attachment 132300

Lol I'm good at science but I got the "failed to launch into adulthood" autism I wish that I could've stayed in college forever

 

[LaVieEnRose]

The only super power autism gives me is making me super suicidal.

I feel your superior way of expressing yourself could stem in part at least from autism. Maybe if aliens come and try to invade you'll be able to talk them down? That'll be a superpower.

 

[Pluto]

 

[PolishPanda46]

The only way I see it being somewhat of a "super power" is if, you was blessed with a genius level IQ. Even then it's probably still a pain in the ass to deal with because you lack social skills.

 

[Meteora]

I think if you only look at the qualities of autists then yes, it is a superpower. Maybe that s why society fights them so much because in reality these people are strong with huge potential. Nt's might fear them and therefore (unconciously) make their lives a living hell. Don't know.

 

[ijustwishtodie]

The only way I see it being somewhat of a "super power" is if, you was blessed with a genius level IQ. Even then it's probably still a pain in the ass to deal with because you lack social skills.

I believe that the world values social skills more than intelligence. I actually believe that intelligence doesn't matter if one's social skills are inadequate enough to express said intelligence

I think if you only look at the qualities of autists then yes, it is a superpower. Maybe that s why society fights them so much because in reality these people are strong with huge potential. Nt's might fear them and therefore (unconciously) make their lives a living hell. Don't know.

What do you mean? What qualities of autistic people are you referring to? Why would NT's be scared of autists?

 

[Meteora]

What do you mean? What qualities of autistic people are you referring to? Why would NT's be scared of autists?

Maybe I m wrong but most autists are honest, true, they are empathetic although people say they re not. There is something pure to autists, something genuine and authentic. That's a HUGE advantage.

 

[PolishPanda46]

I believe that the world values social skills more than intelligence. I actually believe that intelligence doesn't matter if one's social skills are inadequate enough to express said intelligence

What do you mean? What qualities of autistic people are you referring to? Why would NT's be scared of autists?

I'm not sure which one people value more but I do think intelligence is more important, if you're intelligent you have a higher chance of being successful. Intelligent people do better in school which means they get a higher education,which results in them getting higher paying jobs. Higher paying jobs = better quality of life.

 

[ijustwishtodie]

Maybe I m wrong but most autists are honest, true, they are empathetic although people say they re not. There is something pure to autists, something genuine and authentic. That's a HUGE advantage.

I think that may be true though it doesn't apply to me as I'm not honest or true. However, I think that neurotypicals genuinely believe that autistic people aren't empathetic or honest. I don't think that they are scared of autistic people but rather that they alienate them because they are different. Humans have a tendency to react negatively to things that are different and/or unknown to them and they don't know what it's like to be autistic. Also, I think that being honest and true isn't an advantage in this world. What is an advantage in this world is being able to exploit others without caring for them. That's just how this world is structured to be like.

I'm not sure which one people value more but I do think intelligence is more important, if you're intelligent you have a higher chance of being successful. Intelligent people do better in school which means they get a higher education,which results in them getting higher paying jobs. Higher paying jobs = better quality of life.

This would be true if job applications are merely contingent on intelligence but this isn't the case. There's been many cases of people with degrees who are struggling to get employed and these people think that their degrees would get them employed just for that to not happen. I believe that, to be more successful in life, what matters is who you know, not what you know and having social skills can increase your ability to network with others. Yes, university and all that is important but what matters more is being able to network with others and to communicate your intelligence in the first place

I feel like those who say that social skills don't matter are the ones who have adequate social skills to where they don't have to worry about any of this in the first place. However, as somebody with abysmal social skills, I understand what's important

 

[PolishPanda46]

I think that may be true though it doesn't apply to me as I'm not honest or true. However, I think that neurotypicals genuinely believe that autistic people aren't empathetic or honest. I don't think that they are scared of autistic people but rather that they alienate them because they are different. Humans have a tendency to react negatively to things that are different and/or unknown to them and they don't know what it's like to be autistic. Also, I think that being honest and true isn't an advantage in this world. What is an advantage in this world is being able to exploit others without caring for them. That's just how this world is structured to be like.

This would be true if job applications are merely contingent on intelligence but this isn't the case. There's been many cases of people with degrees who are struggling to get employed and these people think that their degrees would get them employed just for that to not happen. I believe that, to be more successful in life, what matters is who you know, not what you know and having social skills can increase your ability to network with others. Yes, university and all that is important but what matters more is being able to network with others and to communicate your intelligence in the first place

I feel like those who say that social skills don't matter are the ones who have adequate social skills to where they don't have to worry about any of this in the first place. However, as somebody with abysmal social skills, I understand what's important

I wasn't trying to say that social skills don't matter at all, of course if you know alot of people they could help you find employment also most jobs require being able to interact with others. What I was trying to say tho is baiscially the smarter you're ,the more potential you have

 

[sserafim]

I think if you only look at the qualities of autists then yes, it is a superpower. Maybe that s why society fights them so much because in reality these people are strong with huge potential. Nt's might fear them and therefore (unconciously) make their lives a living hell. Don't know.

How? I don't see anything "superpower" worthy about my ASD. It literally has brought me no positives, only social issues as well as executive dysfunction

 

[Meteora]

I think that may be true though it doesn't apply to me as I'm not honest or true.

Why are you not honest and true?

However, I think that neurotypicals genuinely believe that autistic people aren't empathetic or honest.

They do. I have heard less the prejudice of dishonest but a lot the one with not empathetic.

I don't think that they are scared of autistic people but rather that they alienate them because they are different. Humans have a tendency to react negatively to things that are different and/or unknown to them and they don't know what it's like to be autistic.

Scared in a wider sense because authenticity is a superpower, actually. Imagine if they wouldn't diminish and stigmatize autists...

Also, I think that being honest and true isn't an advantage in this world.

No, not on the world we now have, I agree.

What is an advantage in this world is being able to exploit others without caring for them. That's just how this world is structured to be like.

That's right. I think, autists naturally don't see the point in using others. They might learn it after many many disappointments. Correct me if I m wrong.

 

[ijustwishtodie]

Why are you not honest and true?

Is that really a good question to ask somebody who isn't honest and true? After all I could technically use my words in practice here by giving a fake answer. Nonetheless, I'll try to be as truthful as I can though don't interpret that as my answer being the absolute truth as I don't fully know what the answer is. However, the reason why I think I'm not honest and true is because, from childhood, I learnt that lying is the way to not get beat up by my parents. They aren't abusive to me now but, during childhood, lying was necessary to not get beaten up and perhaps I just internalised that. In a way, I'm scared of the consequences that can occur if I were to share anything about myself to anybody irl. Thankfully there isn't really anybody to interacts with me irl besides family

They do. I have heard less the prejudice of dishonest but a lot the one with not empathetic.

Yeah, neurotypicals don't tend to focus on the honesty part of autism but I have seen cases where they call autistic people rude for being bluntly honest. I think I like it when autistic people are honest and straight to the point as I always found it annoying when NT's beat around the bush and leave "hints" in their conversations instead of being explicit

Scared in a wider sense because authenticity is a superpower, actually. Imagine if they wouldn't diminish and stigmatize autists...

Authenticity would be a superpower in a different world but, in this world, being authentic doesn't always lead to a good outcome

No, not on the world we now have, I agree.

Yep, unfortunately this world is shitty

That's right. I think, autists naturally don't see the point in using others. They might learn it after many many disappointments. Correct me if I m wrong.

I think you're right here. A world in where people aren't being used would be a good world indeed but unfortunately this world will never exist or at least that's what I think. I hope I'm wrong but it seems unlikely

 

[Meteora]

Is that really a good question to ask somebody who isn't honest and true? After all I could technically use my words in practice here by giving a fake answer. Nonetheless, I'll try to be as truthful as I can though don't interpret that as my answer being the absolute truth as I don't fully know what the answer is. However, the reason why I think I'm not honest and true is because, from childhood, I learnt that lying is the way to not get beat up by my parents. They aren't abusive to me now but, during childhood, lying was necessary to not get beaten up and perhaps I just internalised that. In a way, I'm scared of the consequences that can occur if I were to share anything about myself to anybody irl. Thankfully there isn't really anybody to interacts with me irl besides family

Ok I understand. But it was a survival mode then. The consequences are that you keep lying bc you fear the reaction when you re honest. That s pretty logical.

I think I like it when autistic people are honest and straight to the point as I always found it annoying when NT's beat around the bush and leave "hints" in their conversations instead of being explicit

I like direct ppl too, although my ex (autistic) hurt me very much with his honesty.
Yeah, that s how nt s are, beating around the bush. I dislike it very much.

Authenticity would be a superpower in a different world but, in this world, being authentic doesn't always lead to a good outcome

Yes
But authentic ppl can be very successful. They get killed or manipulated bc people dont want others to be strong - - > jealousy or ignorance. Hope that makes sense.

I think you're right here. A world in where people aren't being used would be a good world indeed but unfortunately this world will never exist or at least that's what I think. I hope I'm wrong but it seems unlikely

Guess we have to aspire it. If it will happen, probably not.

One of my favourite quotes:
"Don't let the uglyness of the world corrupt your soul."
- J. Frusciante -

Easier said than done....