What do you think of us?

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What do you think of us with autism and aspergers?

It depends on the person.

You are only asking the NT parents, I am assuming? Not all of us are NT.

I think if you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person. Since my first son's diagnosis 11 years ago, I've met a whole bunch and that saying turns out to be true. Even my two kids who were both diagnosed with "severe autism" and have been raised together are totally different kids. So I think it would be just dumb to say I think anything about all autistic people. I have to get to know them to formulate an opinion.

But I do think that autism is a very interesting and complex condition. I hope that in my lifetime more is learned about the autistic brain.

A great deal is being learned. Unfortunately, many researchers have negative biases that color their work.

I am curious as to what the point of the question is and who you are hoping will answer.

Personally, I have a huge soft spot in my heart for the entire ASD community, and of course I love my son more than can ever be expressed. Even when I get frustrated trying to get someone with ASD to understand certain concepts they just don't want to understand, I find a kind of charm in the difference. But, then again, I think the world would be insanely boring if everyone was alike. And there are ASD traits I really admire for what they add to the world.

While I find this question confusing in some regards, I will answer the question I think you mean to ask by speaking in general terms about my daughter (though I know she is only one autistic).

I am fascinated by the way her brain works. Her own descriptions of how she sees things and how her mind works are both magnificent and sometimes simultaneously poignant. I don't know why they cause a juxtaposed sense of intense beauty and underlying sadness for me, but for certain I feel no pity toward her. She does not deserve pity because she does not need it. But there is definitely something beautiful about the way she is different, even though she can sometimes be challenging and frustrating. Even when her behavior is at it's worst, there is beauty in the breakdown.

FWIW, years ago I volunteered at a school for kids with severe autism. I felt the same general feeling, though not nearly as strong, even though they were not my kids and they were unable to communicate as well as she can.

I guess like DW_a_mom, I have a bit of a soft spot, and I think it is because I see a hidden beauty in the design, I guess.

What a wonderful reply!

Thank you!

I agree with DW. If I know or suspect a person has AS I tend to give them more leeway than the average person. There is something very pure about the way many of them see the world. I also feel sad knowing that most likely they've had a very hard time with other people, and sometimes with me, because of how they present.