How is autism an ability

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Autism in many ways is commonly mistaken as a disability. In my view autism is a special gift of human super power of knowledge, talent and logic.

not only those but I seem to have pretty much superhuman sensory perception - on top of which I have "blending" - things I hear I also tase and smell and also the reverse - it is not classic synesthesia but I am pretty sure it is related and also related to being neurologically atypical

It is a gift but sadly few seem to recognize it before it's too late. I've had brilliant ideas about saving organizations money and they usually don't listen to me until the damage is done. I'm presently going through it yet again....

Synesthesia can be part of autism right?

Darn, I must not have been paying attention when they were handing out the autism super-powers.

Perhaps we aren't as 'logical' as some of us think we are....as for talented sure people with autism can have talents, and can have gifts doesn't make the autism itself a gift. Sure I can talk about a academic seeming topic and come off as very knowledgeable...doesn't mean I am any more logical than anyone else. Many of us have trouble regulating emotions, meltdowns aren't 'logical'.....well there I said it I am questioning this 'people with autism are more logical' theory.

I notice I am very sensitive to unexpected movement in my peripheral vision, even though it's blurry cuz I'm nearsighted and my glasses don't provide coverage for it.

autism is only a gift from peoples own personal opinions,they cant speak for the whole spectrum nor every person on their own level of autism.

everyone has different levels of coping skills,different levels of support behind them,different life experiences flavouring how they cope,they may have been taught a pesamistic attitude and think theyre useless and cant do anything for themselves.

mine isnt a gift,its a debilitating low functioning disability which will always require full time support from two staff,a lot of specialist services and individual specialists involved,hospitalisation in a intelectual disability hospital when especialy unwell with extreme challenging behaviors which costs a lot of funding so cannot be got instantly like people with severe mental illness getting access to a mental health hospital,am only able to access special college and that costs a lot of funding which isnt easy to get when living in full time care as its considered 'double funding',will always be on a lot of medications,always need a lot of specialist equipment,and a shedload of understanding and open minds from everyone whether its family,staff or the people in the community that see self.

however, unlike most people who have no direct experience of LFA,
am able to see a lot of qualities in self and others who are on the same part of the spectrum and dont view it with the negativity and pesamistic nature that others do.

Sometimes I wonder if there are aspects of autism that are meant as a gift, not so much for the autistic possessing them, as for humanity.

We are so maligned for our lack of pretentiousness, our acceptance of others for who they are, refusal to follow in a lemming like manner, and lack of a predatory soul. We are less likely to be consumed with greed, to scapegoat others, especially the most vulnerable, lie through our teeth, or to betray those who trust us.Because of these traits, if the world is salvageable, I believe that it will be primarily because of Autistics [and a few of our cousins]

Autism is a disability. I just think people don't understand what "disability" means and doesn't mean. A disability is what happens when you can't do something that's expected of the average person because you have a long-term physical or mental difference from others. But a disability does not mean that you are incompetent, incapable, or pitiful; it does not stop you from having talents, skills, and trained abilities; it can even give you better odds of having particular talents than non-disabled people have. A disability does not stop you from being happy or from having a useful, satisfying life. It puts you in a minority group, which means you automatically get a unique experience of the world because your perspective is just that little bit different.

I'm autistic, and I like being who I am. So, for me, autism is both a disability and a gift. They're not incompatible, you know.

Amen

Maybe you are right. Some people with autism are not as logical. It really depends on the autistic spectrum. We autistic people are not the same and we are not perfect.

This post is amazing.



Personal opinion based on what I've seen, but when autistics are referred to as 'more logical' I believe they are so due to alexithymia. Though emotions do not directly oppose logic, they form a different line of reasoning and thus when an autistic doesn't take emotions into account, they are seen as more logical (cold). I'm not too sure how to explain my whole take on this, but I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I mean.

The "I love my autism" thing is a great attitude to have, I guess.
But I do not have it myself.
I don't have a defeatist attitude about my autism.
It is more like, look what I can do despite my autism.
But I am indeed disabled by autism.
If I could take a pill that made me like my NT friend and cousin, I would take it.

Thanks for that post. I have about the same opinion but you manage to formulate it in a more explicative, lucid and positive way than I ever did when trying to discuss it with other people.

Personally, although I am a rather smart guy my autism has caused me more pain than gain until now and I am still looking for my "superpowers", but I am much more optimistic about my prospects in life since I have actually identified what I am and how I work

For me, it is what it is. Just like other people, I have my stuff and they have their own stuff. Everyone gets to decide if what they experience in life is a positive for them or a negative. Usually that stays in flux for most people.

Sometimes I love the way my mind works. I enjoy being able to do IT things.
But at other times I feel the pain caused by my ASD.