I'm Sorry but The "I'm Autistic" Biography Needs to Stop

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Your life is not like Helen Keller's, unless you have endured some actual blindness or deafness, but anyway, it isn't. All it is from the way I see it, is a chemical imbalance with slightly slow moter functions, and social anxiety.

Nothing less, and nothing more. The publisher has had enough Helen Keller wannabes, and would much rather prefer a new Hunger Games sequel than any of these acceptance books.

Besides, its really self-centered and mean to peers and family. Sorry, but it is. Especially when they have fed you, and bought you things.

I don't suffer from autism, I SUFFER from other people.

Please do go on.

Interested

I think the OP has a distorted view of people on WP. Some feel sorry for themselves. Most don't.

I do agree that some people here take the autism thing a little far.

I agree with Kraftie. Most of my problems are normal teenage issues. Maybe autism enhances them, but I have no proof of that. Luckily, there seems to be less and less people who feel sorry for themselves.

Well, I may have a distorted view period, but that still doesn't stop me from talking.

But by definition it's not a chemical imbalance with slightly slower motor functions and social anxiety?

I don't particularly care for self-acceptance books either but perhaps the help some people? We don't know the motives of every single writer.

Sure some people might be throwing themselves pity parties and behaving selfishly towards loved ones but many are not... I'm not sure what's prompted you to make this generalisation?

Also, I get the impression some people on the spectrum HAVE had a hard time because of their autism. It's different for everyone.

I tend to agree. The book that fits this category that's being promoted right now is called "Population One" or something like that. I see ads for it on Facebook all the time, and it makes me a bit sick every time I see one. The hype of "OMG kid with autism writes book about autism isn't that so inspiring!" thing gets old really quickly. Autism is far from rare. Unless you have a new spin on things being autistic isn't super exceptional either. Not worth writing a whole book about IMO.

Though, would the OP find it acceptable to write a sort of memoir of experiences one has as an autistic person? Maybe a "Stories From an Austitic Childhood" type book? Maybe that's better suited to blog, but as long as it's not a pity party or presented in an "in your face" kind of way I don't see the problem.

I find myself drifting away from the neurodiversity advocacy movement for this reason. The "I'M AUTISIC AND YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE ME FOR IT! IN YOUR FACE!" is off-putting for sure.

Not sure I get what's going on but mines pretty damn severe. I need disability and spend half the month, sometimes more like a complete hermit inside. Are you talking about a crummy book?.

Mine's so mild that only people that know autistic people very well can detect it.
But I call myself a "sperglord" anyway.

Mine too, though I'd never say mild because that can give people the wrong impression, and my autism is pretty damn debilitating in certain less apparent ways.

"Sperglord" is a new term for me though. Another nickname for aspie?

I think the original definition is probably from 4chan. It's more about people who are nitpicky over tiny things rather than actually Asperger's-like but someone started calling me that back in 2011 so I've "taken it back" I suppose.

I personally really like reading autistic biographies because they help me get more "in tune" with myself. Would I ever write one? Probably not, unless it's under a pseudonym. I hate attention and would feel too exposed. My only motive behind writing one would be to give a sense of peace to someone out there who might happen to relate to me. I relate to very few, unfortunately, and always seek out learning about the experiences of people who are very similar to me, but without the social pressures of actual relationships.

I personally wouldn't read them, but survival guides for young kids could come in handy. My main problem with that though would be it might not be that useful.