What do you like about being autistic?

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What do you see as positive about autism? I'm curious considering the number of posts on this forum about not wanting to be cured or changed. How do you enjoy being autistic considering the day to day struggles we all have? Lack of social skills, etc. The thought of not leading a completely normal life scares me. I've been through a lot over the years and am beginning to have trouble coping. Quite honestly, if there was a cure, I'd gladly take it. It would lift a huge weight off my shoulders.

I like my honesty and my strong value system. I just like that part of myself, it makes me who I am.

I like my mind. A few issues get in the way of me writing down everything but I think I come up with some incredible things. One day maybe I can get these stories into a book and publish it.
I also like that I don't say negative things about people, and tell people that they shouldn't too. I may get laughed at but I like that I am this way.

I've seen that in a lot of posts. How does your autism define who you are? I, myself, am ashamed of my label. People have a lot of misconceptions on what autism is. Autism makes me feel trapped. There's so much I want to do, but my autism just stands in the way. I want to meet new people without coming off as weird, but because of my lack of social skills, that doesn't happen. Unfortunately, this is something NTs are born with, but people on the spectrum aren't.

My obsessive thinking (though it can be a pain)
My honesty and directness
My different way of thinking
The way I view the world
How I can focus on my interest
I am also glad I can't pick up on hidden insults
How I am more connected to my thoughts
I am fine without people
I don't need the affection and the intimacy
I don't get tired of the same things over and over

Though I didn't want it when I was first diagnosed and hated having it but there have been times in my later life when I wished I didn't have it.

My obsessions and special interests.
The long hours I spend on the Internet.
How I can have a cup of regular coffee before bed, and still sleep for 8 hours having sweet dreams.
My accent.
I don't need human company, every evening of the week.
My androgynous appearance.
My sensitive nature
My focus.
My creativity.

Damn you! If I have a coffee in the morning I probably couldn't get to sleep that night. It's my thoughts that keep me up and my mum stays up to watch TV, so with my sensitive hearing I can't sleep through it.


I know, it happens to me too but focus on an activity you are good at. Focus on your special interests.

Not even if they upset you? So how do you vent then without saying anything negative?

Hmm, ok I may say something negative back, but factual. I find a lot of insults people have are so far from the truth. And I don't try to insult people.
I don't say negative things about people if unprovoked. I don't like using the words stupid/idiot/ret*d/moron/spaz and encourage others not to use those words around me. I don't make fun of more unfortunate people.
That's what I meant. I have difficulty actually explaining myself sometimes.

The good things about me being born with autism are the habits I developed through it:

The habit of me trying to improve myself everyday when I was autistic is still present now even though I no longer have autism. For example, most students only try to read for school (rather than reading for their own knowledge) and they don't touch a single book after they graduate school, but I read for the sake of my own knowledge everyday.

OH MY GOD YOU'VE BEEN CURED? I thought it was impossible.
(sarcasm)

I do focus on what I am good at, that's why I'm going to college. It still doesn't help any that I don't have much of a social life.

I used to like my lack of social awareness and blissful ignorant innocence that protected me from feeling bad about that missing dimension of my experience, but now that I am more aware but still missing that dimension I don't think I like anything about it. I think I could still do all the things I do now and more without it.

You share the same birthday as the OP.

What I like most about Autism, is being me; the same thing that I enjoy most about being human.

I like having an excuse for my insensitivity. It makes me look like a confident person who comes off as insulting, and yet very smart. If anyone asks, I just tell them I'm an Aspie. So its ok.