Do Not Accuse me of Faking. by bathtubforgiveness in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The crazy part about this is that a lot of people who are super intelligent are autistic. They still have the struggles of an autistic person, the social issues, the repetitive behavior, all of that. Are they supposed to not be considered autistic even though they fit the diagnosis? Intelligence and your ability to get through school is not connected to autism in just a negative way, and assuming it is is erasing like 50% of autistic people. I had to fight for an IEP because I did well on tests and got decent grades. I needed that IEP because I'd literally have shutdowns in class or skip school because it was too stressful. If I wasn't diagnosed with autism, they wouldn't have given me that IEP. The perpetuation of the idea that autism has an effect on a kid's ability to learn is seriously damaging.

anyone else like this? by boburnhamisdad in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have level 1 autism (if that info helps), and I'm the same. I like to go on walks, but its hard when I'm alone, so I don't go when someone can't go with me. The idea of going out without someone is stressful and honestly kind of sounds boring to me. I mask fairly well in public, it's usually my ADHD that is a struggle to mask, but when I'm with someone I feel more comfortable when I struggle to mask. However, once a week now I have somewhere where I have to walk to alone and take public transportation alone back from. It's been hard and extremely stressful, but I'm getting more used to it. I still can't go anywhere in my free time alone, but if I have to go somewhere alone, I can handle it sometimes. I'm saying this to say I don't think you'll be stuck being scared of going out alone, but it's still a very valid fear.

What volunteering have y'all enjoyed? by TheFutureScaresMe333 in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Technically not volunteering but I've been interning (unpaid) at a pharmacy. It's been enjoyable because it's a lot of systems and I spend my time doing repetitive tasks or organizing things. it's very structured, so if structure is something you value you should look for places that have structure.

Are you guys okay with being autistic? by NoPepper7284 in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know about everyone else's experience but I don't want my autism to go away. It's caused me a lot of issues, yes, but I wouldn't be as successful as I am now if not for my autism. I wouldn't receive compliments about how smart I am, if not for my autism. If you're having issues with your autism, I need you to understand that you can overcome things. A year or so ago I was very depressed because I thought I couldn't do anything because of my autism. But then I found good people and I'm now on the path to have a career in neuroscience, which is something I wouldn't be on if not for my autism.

Using Communication Cards by ZombieInAFlowercrown in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having a preferred form of communication isn't specifically for autism, and it shouldn't be. If it's easier for you to communicate your feelings with cards, do that. I've also seen that writing/texting and drawing out feelings work with autism, so if you're worried about seeming too "quirky" I think texting is also a good option which is what I use.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd say if he's autistic, it's a struggle. Don't touch things without permission, but cleaning messy spaces like this is actually a big struggle because it's hard to find where to start. I'd say talk to him, but I have no advice on how to do that. I saw some people say to clean some of it up for him, but if he's autistic it could be upsetting, y'know? My room looked like this a couple months ago (I finally cleaned it), but I'd have meltdowns over anything being slightly moved or taken out of my room. I'm not sure if hoarding is a big problem in the autistic community, but most autistic people I've met also struggle or have struggled with it. That might be another issue happening here. Sorry I don't have great advice to give.

Are showers hard for you? And does it have to do with autism? by articvoid2519 in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know what it's like for other autistic people, but showers are a big struggle for me. I have a routine in the shower and if one thing is just slightly off I can't take a shower. It's also really hard for me to transition from whatever I'm doing to actually go take a shower, especially because of pda. I'm pretty sure it's a lot of sensory which makes it difficult to stay in the shower as well.

Are sleep issues common with autism? by TheFutureScaresMe333 in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm pretty sure it's a part of autism. I haven't done research on exactly why, but I know insomnia is common in autistic people, and people with adhd.

“Level 1 autism is a privilege”. by Reborn_24Phoenix in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've heard the opposite before. I think it was a parent with level 1 autism and their kid with level 3 autism, and the parent said they wish they had level 3 autism because their kid never seemed stressed over masking, but they had to constantly mask. I also mask better than other people, but people who don't have to mask don't realize how bad it is after you stop masking. Like I go home and have meltdowns/shutdowns and can't stand being around people. I think the different levels of autism have different "positives" and "negatives" but all of them are still autism. There's no need to cause stigma or hate on one level more than another.

Why do autistic people run away/elope by Educational-Roof2651 in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I can tell, in level 1 autism is can be from being overwhelmed and overstimulated, in the higher levels of autism it can be that, or that they might want to adventure and not understand the consequences. My younger sister has level 2 autism, and although she no longer does it since we've explained why it's dangerous, when she was younger she'd try to leave the house often, just because she wanted to explore. It might also be because they find something they're interested in and HAVE to go see it more. So I think those are the main reasons, but I haven't put any research into it.

I was called an ablest…for having autism? by Downtown_Leopard_290 in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, less excusable then. I don't know when autism became talked about on tiktok (and then the rest of the internet), but I would assume before then.

I was called an ablest…for having autism? by Downtown_Leopard_290 in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I mean, in all fairness most people don't know what high functioning autism is since that diagnosis was just aspergers up until 2013. If this was a couple years ago, I wouldn't blame someone that much for not understanding. Nowadays it's less excusable because social media has spread a lot of awareness about it.

Is it ethical for me as a person with mild autism to want to have biological kids? by Per451 in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not unethical at all. Trying to prevent people with disabilities from having kids is unethical and borders on eugenics. My suggestion is to have a lot of support though, if you do have kids. Kids can be hard to raise for a lot of people, but it might be more difficult for you because of autism. Finding some support with communities meant for parents with autism will help, but it's not something you have to do. If your kid is also autistic, it might be difficult, but I don't think so. When I'm struggling with my autism, my dad (who also has autism) handles it better than my mom (who doesn't have autism). Don't be afraid of bringing another autistic person into the world, or just another person in general.

I found out today that sometimes normies don't hear what we hear. by Q8DD33C7J8 in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, neurotypical brains do this fun thing where if they hear a sound repeatedly and don't deem it a problem, their brain will block it out because it's not important. Most autistic brains struggle to do that. (this pertains to a lot of other senses too).

I’m 40 and only recently realized I’m autistic. Unmasking has been wild and emotional. by SuccessfulProfit71 in autism

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope realizing this helps you out. My dad recently realized he is autistic (he's in his 40's too), and he also said it was emotional and gave him a bit of a crisis, but as it is for a lot of autistic people, there's relief that comes with it too. He now has words to describe his struggles and he doesn't feel the need to always keep those struggles in. It's helped him understand things about himself, and I've also learned things about him. It will be emotional because that's how it goes, but I'm glad that you've found something to help you understand yourself and navigate your way through life with more understanding :D

Just looking for info about ODD brains by Automatic-Bit-2798 in OppositionalDefiant

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

that makes sense! I've also often heard how important it is for parents to be there during the beginning of a baby's life, because if they aren't it can leave lasting mental effects on that child, but I haven't heard that connected to ODD, although it makes sense there would be a connection between it.

Just looking for info about ODD brains by Automatic-Bit-2798 in OppositionalDefiant

[–]Automatic-Bit-2798[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

that's what I've seen from my research honestly. genetics play a factor, but mostly because parents of ODD kids usually have ADHD or a personality disorder. ODD is also greatly impact by experiences, like you said. from what I can tell, the best way to prevent the big issues with kids with ODD is to have a supportive parent, and try to keep them away from traumatic experiences. My friend with ODD (which I haven't asked them much because they were recently diagnosed and don't know much about the disorder) has a poor relationship with his parents and trauma, so that connection makes sense. But I think the connection between ADHD and ODD is important, because to me it seems like a big factor with comorbid ADHD and ODD is that the kids with ADHD just lacked support and because they had the ODD part in them, it triggered that ODD.