Autism Discussion Thread

[Area 6-Z]

I would recommend that we all thread carefully on this thread.

Yeah since Autism is a touchy subject to talk about.

[Yusseria]

I would recommend that we all thread carefully on this thread.

thread carefully in this thread

[Yusseria]

I would recommend that we all thread carefully on this thread.

Yeah since Autism is a touchy subject to talk about.

it really doesn't need to be.

[Major-Tom]

Autism is a touchy issue, one where an individual must be careful in false labeling, but also in ensuring that they don't denigrate one on the spectrum.

What is solid news is that the stigma behind autism seems to be slowly fading. For example, I have buddies on the spectrum who over the course of their lives have been able to be more accepted as an autistic individual. My own mother, even, can finally feel comfortable admitting she is on the mild side of the spectrum.

It's slow progress, but having known autistic people in my family, and within the friends and company I keep, I'm optimistic that the stigmas will slowly wither away. Again, it's a long process, but I wish nothing but the utmost best for those on the spectrum. They tend to be exemplary individuals, and individuals who far surpass any amount of intelligence I could even comprehend.

[Risottia]

I'm a special ed teacher and if I see anyone bullying my kids I usually report them to the office and have them get sent to detention.

Honestly kids or adults that bully autistic children have no respect for other humans.

Why, kids or adults who bully non-autistic children or non-autistic adults are showing any respect for people?

[The Isle of Beithe]

I have Aspergers Syndrome, and let me just say it is not a fun experience. Every day I wake up and get a glass of water only for the glass to feel like its melting in my hand. I do everything differently from the other people and am ostracized for it. I hit desks, I scream, I cry at random moment. There are some things that tick me of for no reason whatsoever, and if anyone has the same symptoms/better/worse, then I give you my utmost sympathy.

i have aspergers also. it's tough but you just have to learn to keep it inside. i used to flap my hands as a child and other kids mocked me for it. they even made up a dance named after me where they imitated my hand flapping. i still flap my hands sometimes but i learned to control it and not do it in public. only when i am alone do i let myself have outbursts.

Same.

In public, I just find an object to fiddle with, because it provides similar relief and is less noticeable/more socially acceptable. (Certain objects feel especially good in my hand.) If I don't have anything to play with, then I end up touching my face a lot. I’ve had a few people call me out on that.

[Western Vale Confederacy]

Well, in my case, I chew so many pens that my coworkers have made it a meme that I eat pens.

As long as they're your pens and not your coworkers' pens I guess...

Well...

Sadly, this isn't restricted to my own pens.

[Aeritai]

I'm a special ed teacher and if I see anyone bullying my kids I usually report them to the office and have them get sent to detention.

Honestly kids or adults that bully autistic children have no respect for other humans.

Why, kids or adults who bully non-autistic children or non-autistic adults are showing any respect for people?

Adults or kids who bully non-autistic children is also very disrespectful.

[Lanoraie II]

I have very high functioning autism (my anxiety disorder affects more of my life than my autism does) and can completely understand why a parent would be unable to handle a child with lower functioning autism. One of the main factors for me never wanting to have biological kids of my own is the fact that there's a chance they would come out with autism, particularly lower functioning. I wouldn't be able to handle it. Maye if they were high functioning but then it's torture for them, not for me. Bless anyone who can actually handle people on the lower end of the spectrum as I absolutely cannot.

[Lanoraie II]

Ah my gods. Go read about autism and then we can talk.

I am well aware of autism is, I am not saying it doesn't exist but it seems as of late more children then usual suddenly are on the "spectrum", there are seriously autistic people and they need special attention especially in education, whereas the kids that just act weird/misbehave waste people's time.

Have you ever considered the following:

1. It could be all of the unnatural hormones in our food/water/air
2. It could be more social awareness to what autism is
3. "kids act weird/misbehave" could mean "a child is inconvenient to adults"

[Western Vale Confederacy]

I have very high functioning autism (my anxiety disorder affects more of my life than my autism does) and can completely understand why a parent would be unable to handle a child with lower functioning autism. One of the main factors for me never wanting to have biological kids of my own is the fact that there's a chance they would come out with autism, particularly lower functioning. I wouldn't be able to handle it. Maye if they were high functioning but then it's torture for them, not for me. Bless anyone who can actually handle people on the lower end of the spectrum as I absolutely cannot.

If my child turns out to be autistic, so be it.

I will not reject him or refuse to procreate out of fear.

[Lanoraie II]

I have very high functioning autism (my anxiety disorder affects more of my life than my autism does) and can completely understand why a parent would be unable to handle a child with lower functioning autism. One of the main factors for me never wanting to have biological kids of my own is the fact that there's a chance they would come out with autism, particularly lower functioning. I wouldn't be able to handle it. Maye if they were high functioning but then it's torture for them, not for me. Bless anyone who can actually handle people on the lower end of the spectrum as I absolutely cannot.

If my child turns out to be autistic, so be it.

I will not reject him or refuse to procreate out of fear.

You have a much more hardy sense of sensory input then I do. Be prepared for the possibility of screaming all day every day from your child because that's the best they can communicate.

[Western Vale Confederacy]

If my child turns out to be autistic, so be it.

I will not reject him or refuse to procreate out of fear.

You have a much more hardy sense of sensory input then I do. Be prepared for the possibility of screaming all day every day from your child because that's the best they can communicate.

The genetics aspects of autism are not only very wonky, but autism still remains a spectrum.

He or she might turn out to be a perfectly normal child or a high-functioning one like I am (well, I'm not particularly high-functioning since it is at the stage where it affects me physically).

It's not a guarantee that my child will be low-functioning and incapable of speech.

[Lanoraie II]

You have a much more hardy sense of sensory input then I do. Be prepared for the possibility of screaming all day every day from your child because that's the best they can communicate.

The genetics aspects of autism are not only very wonky, but autism still remains a spectrum.

He or she might turn out to be a perfectly normal child or a high-functioning one like I am (well, I'm not particularly high-functioning since it is at the stage where it affects me physically).

It's not a guarantee that my child will be low-functioning and incapable of speech.

True. You're very strong in that regard, being okay with whatever happens.

I just can't risk it since it's rather prevalent in my family. I'm....a selfish person; I'd rather not have a kid because they might come out a screeching banshee who I'd have to take care of forever. But also because it wouldn't be fair for them to have a mother who can't stand being around them and struggles to love them because of how annoying and overstimulating they are. I can't do that to an innocent child. I know how it feels. Sure I could put them up for adoption but there's already so many kids in the system--and it's not a great one, either...another reason I want to adopt. Plus I think I'd be morally irredeemable if I gave up my bio child and adopted another kid. To make up for my selfishness I do plan on adopting nothing but teenagers when I get to my 50s or 60s, since they're the least adopted age group.

[Shrillland]

The genetics aspects of autism are not only very wonky, but autism still remains a spectrum.

He or she might turn out to be a perfectly normal child or a high-functioning one like I am (well, I'm not particularly high-functioning since it is at the stage where it affects me physically).

It's not a guarantee that my child will be low-functioning and incapable of speech.

True. You're very strong in that regard, being okay with whatever happens.

I just can't risk it since it's rather prevalent in my family. I'm....a selfish person; I'd rather not have a kid because they might come out a screeching banshee who I'd have to take care of forever. But also because it wouldn't be fair for them to have a mother who can't stand being around them and struggles to love them because of how annoying and overstimulating they are. I can't do that to an innocent child. I know how it feels. Sure I could put them up for adoption but there's already so many kids in the system--and it's not a great one, either...another reason I want to adopt. Plus I think I'd be morally irredeemable if I gave up my bio child and adopted another kid. To make up for my selfishness I do plan on adopting nothing but teenagers when I get to my 50s or 60s, since they're the least adopted age group.

That's actually a pretty good idea as I see it.

[Western Vale Confederacy]

One of the aspects of society that I consider the most daunting is sexuality.

This is gonna be a hell of a goddamn rollercoaster.

[Lanoraie II]

True. You're very strong in that regard, being okay with whatever happens.

I just can't risk it since it's rather prevalent in my family. I'm....a selfish person; I'd rather not have a kid because they might come out a screeching banshee who I'd have to take care of forever. But also because it wouldn't be fair for them to have a mother who can't stand being around them and struggles to love them because of how annoying and overstimulating they are. I can't do that to an innocent child. I know how it feels. Sure I could put them up for adoption but there's already so many kids in the system--and it's not a great one, either...another reason I want to adopt. Plus I think I'd be morally irredeemable if I gave up my bio child and adopted another kid. To make up for my selfishness I do plan on adopting nothing but teenagers when I get to my 50s or 60s, since they're the least adopted age group.

That's actually a pretty good idea as I see it.

I hope it is. Makes me sound like a superdong but the biggest thing my autism impacts is sensory input. I absolutely cannot handle the sound of a child screaming (something that, while all children do, children with lower functioning autism tend to do a lot), it seriously feels like utter hell hearing it. For people who don't experience it, it's like what I imagine someone with claustrophobia would feel like in an extremely tight space. Think of it as, it causes me enough distress that it's the main reason I want to adopt--you can teach a neurotypical child to use their indoor voice...you can't really to a low functioning autistic child.

[Caleonia]

Most of what I feel has already been said here, but I’m gonna chip in here:

I also struggle with high-functioning autism, ADHD, and EFD, and I also completely understand why it takes a lot of effort to put up with even myself and how much of a nightmare it would be for parents with lower-functioning autistic children. I am a wild, rambunctious, hyperactive, uncontrollable child who basically has split personalities when at home and at school. At school, I usually try to be calm and be the man in the middle, but while I’m at home I’m an isolationist asshole without even trying. Ironically, this “not trying” also carries with my work, but it results in me getting A’s 95% of the time. So yeah that’s my thoughts.

Along with this, I am the reason I am an only child, along with the fact that my parents literally cannot afford to have another child. Plus, two children like me would burn my house down at least once.

[The Supreme Magnificent High Swaglord]

One of the aspects of society that I consider the most daunting is sexuality.

This is gonna be a hell of a goddamn rollercoaster.

As a fellow person with autism (Particularly high-functioning autism, diagnosed back when my form of HFA was known as Asperger syndrome in the DSM), I personally find it better to abstain from sex and romantic intimacy.

I have nothing against those who don't abstain, provided they act in a responsible manner with respect for the dignity of their partner; I just find the whole "sex/intimacy" thing to be rather a rather dull concept. Tbh, I prefer friendships and hobbies and such to romance, which when I think about it just... doesn't really appeal to me. I apologize if I seem impolite in any way whatsoever, btw.

[The Isle of Beithe]

I'm suddenly curious as to what percentage of people on NS are autistic. I've always figured this game would especially appeal to someone on the spectrum.

[The Supreme Magnificent High Swaglord]

I'm suddenly curious as to what percentage of people on NS are autistic. I've always figured this game would especially appeal to someone on the spectrum.

Ironically people with Autism are considered too simplistic or black-and-white minded, or too moralistic to enjoy politics.

I mean, I'm firmly moralistic and I love politics. My politics are in line with my moral values.

[The Isle of Beithe]

I'm suddenly curious as to what percentage of people on NS are autistic. I've always figured this game would especially appeal to someone on the spectrum.

Ironically people with Autism are considered too simplistic or black-and-white minded, or too moralistic to enjoy politics.

I'd argue that black-and-white thinking tends to be prevalent amongst the majority people who are interested in politics, autistic and allistic alike.

Politics also involves so much minutiae that could make it a prime choice for a special interest -- at least that's how it is for me.

I would speculate that someone on the spectrum is probably more likely to fall on one of the extremes of the political spectrum, though. Centrism doesn't exactly fit with the autistic mindset.

[Indo-Malaysia]

Oh

One of the aspects of society that I consider the most daunting is sexuality.

This is gonna be a hell of a goddamn rollercoaster.

As a fellow person with autism (Particularly high-functioning autism, diagnosed back when my form of HFA was known as Asperger syndrome in the DSM), I personally find it better to abstain from sex and romantic intimacy.

I have nothing against those who don't abstain, provided they act in a responsible manner with respect for the dignity of their partner; I just find the whole "sex/intimacy" thing to be rather a rather dull concept. Tbh, I prefer friendships and hobbies and such to romance, which when I think about it just... doesn't really appeal to me. I apologize if I seem impolite in any way whatsoever, btw.

I thought it still is called Aspergers?

My life is a lie.

[The Supreme Magnificent High Swaglord]

Oh

As a fellow person with autism (Particularly high-functioning autism, diagnosed back when my form of HFA was known as Asperger syndrome in the DSM), I personally find it better to abstain from sex and romantic intimacy.

I have nothing against those who don't abstain, provided they act in a responsible manner with respect for the dignity of their partner; I just find the whole "sex/intimacy" thing to be rather a rather dull concept. Tbh, I prefer friendships and hobbies and such to romance, which when I think about it just... doesn't really appeal to me. I apologize if I seem impolite in any way whatsoever, btw.

I thought it still is called Aspergers?

My life is a lie.

The change in the DSM was... controversial, to say the least.

[The Isle of Beithe]

Oh

As a fellow person with autism (Particularly high-functioning autism, diagnosed back when my form of HFA was known as Asperger syndrome in the DSM), I personally find it better to abstain from sex and romantic intimacy.

I have nothing against those who don't abstain, provided they act in a responsible manner with respect for the dignity of their partner; I just find the whole "sex/intimacy" thing to be rather a rather dull concept. Tbh, I prefer friendships and hobbies and such to romance, which when I think about it just... doesn't really appeal to me. I apologize if I seem impolite in any way whatsoever, btw.

I thought it still is called Aspergers?

My life is a lie.

DSM V lumped Asperger's into "Autism Spectrum Disorder."

However, many people diagnosed pre-DSM V still prefer the term Asperger's.

Oh
I thought it still is called Aspergers?

My life is a lie.

The change in the DSM was... controversial, to say the least.

And that's putting it lightly.