Is autism just extreme nerdiness?

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That's a stereotype. I'm not nerdy at all, just wierd but not in a nerdy way.

I remember when the word "nerd" came into popular use. I was in school, and Fonzie used to call Richie, Ralph and Potsie "nerds" because they were "uncool". Richie might have fitted more of the more modern stereotypes of "nerd" than the others, but Ralph and Potsie didn't at all. They all also had good social skills, but different ones than Fonzie had. They were "good kids" and sheltered somewhat. They had friends, dates, went to parties, played team sports. Did OK in school or sometimes were only barely getting by in school, but they weren't at all what we think of as a "nerd" now.

That Carradine boy in "Revenge of the Nerds" played a more modern stereotype of the nerd. That was closer to a decade after the word first became popular. Bluto in "Animal House" was extremely socially awkward but in no way could be considered a "nerd", so it's not just that.

I know that nowadays "nerd" means something very different, but I always see nerds as people who just aren't cool. Cheerleaders and Jocks were called "nerds" back in my day. I was a majorette and on the girls basketball team and in band, and did good in school, so I was the "nerdy type" back then, but nothing at all like the "nerdy type" that people think of now, even though I had crap for social skills.

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"Nerd"? Me? Yeah. And VERY likely with an ASD.
But are all nerds autistic? NO. But probably there are plenty of AS people that do fit that TOO GENERAl & POP Cultural term.
Certainly, not every ASD person fits the nerd sterotype. So the statement is rather useless in actuality.

Sincerely,
Matt

Autism is not extreme nerdiness. Autism is not extreme ____________. Fill into blank "nerdiness", "shyness", "smartness", "stupidness", "Loch Ness Monsterness", etc etc etc.

Nerds are usually unpopular due to physical shortcomings. They tend to be not very attractive or athletic, and as a result they are often bullied and picked on and only befriended by fellow nerds. Or by aspies, seeing that my only friends back in school were a couple of nerds. But unlike me, they were perfectly able to function in a social setting. A bit shy perhaps, but not unable to make eye contact or read nonverbal cues. And of course they didn't have any meltdowns and didn't engage in stimming or anything.

No, not necessarily. I'm not a nerd, and being into computers is not nerdy any more - it's just a childish stereotype. I know lots of NTs who like computers or are always using a computer. My NT cousin is an expert on computers but is far from a nerd.

When I was at High school I seemed to attract kids who had underaverage intelligence, and smoked ''rollies'' and skipped school and argued back at teachers and just sat in lessons on their phones and putting make-up on and not bothering to even care about their education, then finally got themseles expelled somehow. I never seemed to attract nerds.

No.

Extreme introversion, perhaps (pathological introversion sounds better though).

I doubt that extreme nerds rock, must follow functionless routines and stare at blinking lights for hours.. Unless they have ASD.