What makes you proud to be an aspie?

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The most I can remember the day i was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome was the fact that, after the initial fear over hearing a medical term that id never heard before, I felt an overwhelming happiness, like new doors were going to open for me. But i couldnt figure out why i felt this way: At first i thought it was because i'd always suspected i may be autistic or something and it was finally out on the table, then i thought it was pride in belonging to a demographic. But now i know that its the simple pride of being different, that having Aspergers makes me special in a way! So i was wondering...those of you who are proud to be aspies: what makes you proud?

The freedom to be who I am and like the things that I like.

You know, its one thing to accept who and what you are and not feel that you are less of a person for being different, but you'll get over that 'Aspie Pride' silliness after you've been fired from ten or twelve jobs and been hatefully discriminated against and bullied for being 'different' for years on end. A neurological disorder does make you different, but trust me, nobody thinks you're special.

If you're lucky, you may meet a few people who actually like you for your unusual point of view, but autism ain't no superpower.

NT's get fired from jobs and discriminated too. It's not just us.

I think aspie pride is dumb. I accept who I am just fine, but I reject the notion of aspie culture, that AS is not a disability, and that it is the same as being proud of your racial/ethnic heritage, or whateveer.

Nothing. I am not proud of AS at all, there's nothing to be proud of. I didn't win it, I didn't achieve anything. It makes about as much sense as being proud of having hazel eyes or a deepish voice.

I am proud (pride in the sense that I am satisfied with myself---and not an arrogant pride) of my musical accomplishments because of autism---and of my special intense interests that have allowed me to do some neat things---also because of autism.

Its not an accomplishment so whats the point in being proud of it?

I'm proud of my not perfect integrity and my low tendency to hate others.

I was proud of myself when I really liked seagulls as many people dislike them prolly due to their bird song

My music is an accomplishment brought about by autism. And pride in my sense is being satisfied with what I have done as a result of something like autism. Autism brought about my special intense interests.

Well it would seem this whole aspergers thing has the opposite effect on me......I have not accomplished anything because of it. So there is that reason for why I see no reason to be proud of it, and there is just the simple fact that being born a certain way is not an accomplishment. But I don't expect everyone to agree.

I understand what you are saying Sweetleaf, and I respect your view. It is interesting how we on such a spectrum of autism have so many diverse views of it. May we all find our peace on this earth and the satisfactions that we deserve.

I live in accordance with things as best as I can with what I know now. I do it because it is the right thing to do, not to feel proud.

Proud because of it?
Pfft, no. That's a bit silly, and like being proud of having two hands or blue eyes. Like those things, it simply is.

Proud of what I've achieved despite it?
Yes, but 'proud' seems too strong a word and has implications of strutting which I don't like.
I just do the best I can with what I have and what I've learned.
(mind you, hyperfocusing has certainly been useful with that )

I think the pride most of us mean is the pride of just being satisfied with ourselves and what we have done by being who we are (with autism). The other pride is the arrogant type which is not what I speak of. I just like to clarify this when there is a thread I respond to which involves pride.

I have a HUGE amount of things to be "proud of" in this world but being disabled is certainly NOT one of them.