Why High Functioning Autism is So Challenging

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I prefer the times when I can to the times when I can't.

I suppose there is also that the effects are not too debilitating in everyday life; that is, despite seeming 'weird', one is able to function independently most of the time. Severity of challenges itself also plays a role in the split between HF and LF.

So, because I am looking for services. Recently did an IQ test and a behavior test. I am considering having a high IQ, but low functioning in my day to day task. You don't recognize how many people think I am not disabled or I am just fine because I am intelligent. That's an issue I have to deal with. Knowing too much and being extremely insightful.

It's a betrayal, because then people think if I can talk smart, certainly I can do a lot of these other things.

It's also a betrayal because they make it seems as easy as me, just "getting over it" or "it's just in my head". That if I will myself enough, somehow I can magically not be as Autistic. Dunno.

Although it seems the writer is well-intentioned, the whole theme of that article is a deficit perspective. They can't do this, have trouble with that, don't understand this, misunderstand that.

I noticed one example of this unconscious bias on her part, when she was discussing the high intelligence impression of AS. Instead of saying that there is a range, just as there is in NT people, she says "in fact most are not". Such blanket statements without nuance or balance can actually reinforce stigma. These seemingly harmless articles so often carry a subtext which is often stigmatising in ways that are harder to spot. Even ASD people don't genreally notice the bias of deficit perspective because they have largely been desensitised to these stigmatising attitudes, having experienced them in the context of normal daily life for years...

Thank you OP for posting this. I think I will find it interesting. I am new to Wrong Planet. I am diagnosed with HFA and dyspraxia.

You're welcome, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

B19, sorry about the "deficit bias." Yeah, it doesn't say much about our special skills and things we seem to do better than neurotypicals. But that's the way many of them will always see us: since we are socially awkward, we are lacking something they value.



Yeah, looks like several of us do. I think it means more than that, but that's definitely included, at least in the way others perceive us.

I find valuable my wife, a couple of male friends, and church support group.
C. R. covers many life issues.

After 6 months with the person that diagnosed, I'm going to wait a couple months and check back as needed.

Balance is a tricky thing.
Mental , physical and spiritual that is.
Coming out of the store my brain attacked me. 37 seconds later an aquaintences shouted my name.
We chatted I acknowledge the brain thing and immediately felt better.
Called a friend to talk in detail but got his voice mail.
Drinking ginger tea, then feed cat and do the next right thing.

this article is me! this is so me! i feel really good when i can find the words to put myself to. i am dying to be explained! i wish my loved ones would read this article. it made me feel better knowing that there are others like me.

i wanna say that, more than just seeming 'weird', we tend to feel like we CAN'T function as well as we could (possibly?) because some of us still don't understand what's "goin' on" in social circumstances, or like the article explains, in situations in work or school or wherever. i personally dislike extremely the terms "high" and "low" functioning; i think it's a kind of rude descriptor but i don't know another word to describe being "higher" on the spectrum. from my experience with being higher on the spectrum, i have had a very hard life with my interactions with others still and have suffered as some of my friends, who range in the spectrum, just the same only in different ways. this is not to say that i don't understand the privilege of where i am on the spectrum--what it means in regards to my cognitive functioning. but the word 'debilitating' has definitely been something i've used to describe what being an Aspie has done to some pretty important aspects of my life. idk.

B19, sorry about the "deficit bias." Yeah, it doesn't say much about our special skills and things we seem to do better than neurotypicals. But that's the way many of them will always see us: since we are socially awkward, we are lacking something they value. (Quoted)

No need to apologise, that wasn't a criticism of doing so (posting it) - it is very useful example which perfectly demonstrates how deficit bias is embedded in an article as the skeletal vertebrae beneath the "fleshing out" of it, and shows how deficit stigma can be obscured in an overlay of tone which makes the underlying assumptions sound and harmless/normal/true.

I thought this was great. I can hold down a job, same job 18 years though, so routine; and I have very strict habits which have become my executive function. I keep a little book. I write everything down. I always put objects in same location, etc. BUT I have big sensory sensitivity issues. There are places I simply cannot go, activities I cannot do, shops I cannot go in. Professional meetings and conferences are a nightmare! Socialization is super limited. Close friends get it, but if I have to interact with someone new, like trying to date (argh!! !), they cannot grasp how disabling these issues are. I don't typically get sarcasm, I am super literal, but they say...you are so smart, just snap out of it! I hate that. I have even had a few people tell me I am creating my own problems which would not exist if I did not believe they did! Really. Argh.

Triple or quadruple that.

As I looked through this thread, the issues with parents struck a cord in me. I've had issues with communicating with my parents and what they wanted from me/ what chores they wanted done. More often than not, it'd result in me hiding in my room or bathroom.

As for my issues, I acutely feel like I am different and have had trouble fitting in. As a result of that, I've lost a lot of friendships and I've had issues in making friends. I've also had issues with school subjects like Math and remembering due dates because I tend to have so much on my mind/ it's a struggle for me to remember things or even get started on projects and homework.

I also theroize that I've had more issues with anxiety and depression because of my HFA/Aspieness too

My high functioning problems are more frustration that everyone thinks i'm normal and apply their NT-ness onto me.

Btw, i hope you guys had updated your antivirus software and/or are running noscript:
Webpage mentioned in the thread scanned on Virustotal

I understand completely. If my parents are angry, even if not at me, I sometimes hide under my bed, or under my desk. Their shouting upsets and scares me. It also annoys me how my mother hints at chores she wants me to do, instead of just ordering me to do it.

BTW 'chord' instead of 'cord'.

Such good news! My mother told me the other day that she thinks I should get help with my 'social skills'. She seems to be admitting that there is a problem! I didn't even do anything, just mentioned how I often don't register peoples' names because I become distracted and overwhelmed by other people and noises! I am very happy; at least she is not swearing at me and telling me that I should 'try harder' or 'stop being weird' (although that is probably the general idea of her suggesting some help). I'm amazed that she has stopped ignoring my difficulties. Hopefully this 'course' to help with my social interaction will work (though I don't know any details as to what type of program it is).

Do you think I should push it and mention ASD? It might be a good opportunity. Or should I wait for what people at the 'course' say?

If that helps, yes. The more you believe you do (or should) control a situation, the more it bothers you when you fail.

Accept that you have no control, and it seems to be easier to cope with.