Anybody struggling to find their place here on WP?

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I don't mean to be intentionally contrary, however, i do not know if you are aware that the newer definition of Autism does not differentiate people into low and high functioning.

Instead, the newer model basically puts us all under the same umbrella, with each person individually having problems in various of the areas. The symptoms no longer have anything to do with IQ.

The support services now give support where it is needed.
Some aspects of our disability do not need support but are still debilitating, for example, people with Sensory hypersensitivity.

In some cases, those who would have formerly been considered high functioning who do not have an intellectual disability will be more "disabled" due to the effect the symptoms of ASD has on their lifestyle in terms of how incapacitated they are to achieve what a NT person with the same IQ would be able to in life, than
a person who has an intellectual disability.

In some cases, those with an intellectual disability who also has ASD, is able to function to his / her capacity level,
for example is able to find work that is intellectually stimulating for someone with their level of IQ and comorbid ASD / mental health ailments. Often such people also live in supported housing around others with the same ailments or similar, and so are able to get along with their social network and some may even have good relationships and even long term girl friends etc.

While the person who has a high IQ and ASD, is unable to find intellectually stimulating work aimed at their IQ level due to having ASD and mental health issues, and is left to live independently without support, and no social circle, and less opportunities to socialise etc.

Out of the two, who is happiest? and who is achieving their goals in life?...
Who is more disabled? incapacitated with regards to realising their goals in comparison to a person of the same IQ level?....

I think I fit in ok here, there are plenty of people on WP who I can relate to, I don't talk about the heavy stuff like politics though, its best to stay on the safe topics.

Hmm... Sort of? But then again, I'm only on here randomly, a few times a week, mostly at night (I work night shift), so I don't post a lot and don't have much chance to "interact" in threads because I'm just not here much. Of course, I'm not sure what I'm really going for anyway. I guess just to talk with people who can relate to some of the things I experience. That's not something I've ever been able to do very much. I never understood why, but I think I do now.

I think my difficulties have had more to do with self-doubt. I was born in the late 70s, so I was 19 when Asperger's was added to the DSM. I identify as AS or an Aspie because, to me at least, it gives a clear-ish picture of ASD, Level 1, no speech delay or learning difficulties in childhood, high IQ, mostly a hidden disability (but still very much there, at least from the inside.) I admit to my laziness, but that's a lot of typing. It's easier to just say AS or Aspie. If I've got that wrong, please let me know. I'm here to learn just as much as I am to talk.

All that's to say that I was never assessed for anything other than "gifted-ness" in first grade, and there was nothing to diagnose me with at that time. Looking back, it's fairly clear to me, but it would have taken someone looking for things that no one was looking for back then. I can't afford an assessment now, and probably couldn't get any more accommodation than I've been able to maneuver into on my own anyway. But without a diagnosis, I sometimes worry that people feel I'm guilty of whatever you call the neurodivergent version of cultural appropriation. But that's likely mostly in my head, or at least I hope so.

I feel that I have a place on here even know I am new I am diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. The issue is all autistic people are individual we are very individual we don’t fall in boxes and I think this group who is comfortable.I am also a member of another autism foreign and I am also a Facebook group artistic member.

I must say I'm glad that a WP discussion thread I had begun yielded such active interest.

Hence, I sense that this is one of those rare WP threads which might just act as "an icebreaker of sorts" in handling other HFA related concerns!

The focus of this thread pointed-out the struggles stemming from that awkward "not disabled enough, yet not able enough" dichotomy, which often presents challenges in establishing one's niche in "the world at large," and even here on WP.

Personally, I would add programs geared toward serving developmentally disabled adults as another example of awkward positions; yet, I felt important connections with terrific staff, and some of the participants in arts programs - programs shut-down on account of the pandemic.

In short, I increasingly feel that I've "hit the nail on the head" in addressing important HFA concerns.

Not to veer too far-off of the purposes of this disc. thread: I strongly advocate proactive approaches - that is goals of becoming acquainted with NTs (or NT-like people with HFA) who've had professional experiences with HFA; yet are receptive towards the more informal get-togethers.

The one driver of becoming more proactive orientated stems from what seems like increasingly fruitless efforts of "splitting semantic hairs" in posting-here on WP to advocate what has proven favorable regarding HFA.

For starters, a much needed "icebreaker of sorts" might just be inviting NTs (or NT-like people with HFA) who've had professional experiences with HFA, and are receptive towards the more informal get-togethers to please chime-in to this disc. thread on experiences!!

I've found my place on WP 5 years ago when I decided to let my guard down and show my true colours. Britain was a persona, Germany is the real deal. If I didn't wear a persona on WP and in real life, I would have found my place on WP a lot sooner in 2004.

Same, excepting that I can't get to the it doesn't really matter stage. Maybe in time, maybe not.

I'm awake now because I'm worried about an upcoming meeting where I don't fit in, but for new reasons. I don't fit here, either, nor anywhere else I've tried.

You appear to 'fit in' to WP rather seamlessly to me.

Maybe it's my attachment disorder talking, but I don't feel connected. Nobody here is interested in my research.

I had a weird experience on here...

Was banned.

For idk what?

Took a day.

Then could log back into my account like nothing happened?

Idk if it's a bug or not.

In that time, I was thinking of specific friends I'd miss but not the forum itself.

I've decided to just say my piece on here & move on. And try to keep to uncontroversial topics like - where do Americans keep their washing machines.

I have 3 other social media type accounts for more personal opinions, I don't need to express them on here or argue with people I massively disagree with. Solves nothing.

Have a feelin you fit in here ..Dear-one , your contributions seem as good as any other of the inputs that others have made . You are easy to read and follow the things you have written. Which is always a good factor in any
Conversation .. thank you for the input you have made here .

I can fit myself in, but only a few toes worth.

I feel that in you...that you don't have anyone to talk to about your research. I read at least one of your papers or perhaps it was an article recognizing your contributions. I was impressed. You are doing things that are very interesting, but I can barely understand the how and the mechanics of it all, and I am reasonably intelligent.

I think you fit in with the other autists here, but are still feeling the lack of connection with someone who really understands you and what you do. Just my opinion. Excuse me if I am off base here. I don't mean to offend.

Sometimes I feel a similar lack, probably not as intense as yours, in my interest in plants and growing things. I haven't found anyone anywhere who swoons over a tiny blue flower, or even the heaven sent perfume of Carolina jessamine.

The stuff about "mechanics" was my vocation, which seldom is topical here. When I dug into the reasons my career didn't take off, very few were about technical comprehension. What I'm finding is that human relations are confusing because we are hard-wired for two different moral codes. In civilization, it is increasingly less obvious which one should apply. When we ask ourselves if something "feels right," we usually choose to ask the side that will give us an advantage in negotiations, not the one that fits the spirit of the laws regulating human behaviour. The evidence is everywhere, once I learned to see it. I think that if more people used this perception, we could all get along much better, except for the people who have learned to use us like puppets by pulling those strings.

Whether or not I "fit in" long ago ceased to be a preoccupation for me. The default expectation is no, and I don't worry about it. I'm more likely to ask myself "am I getting anything I need here?" or "do the pluses outweigh the minuses?"

I've left more than once. Currently I'm just bored waiting for my chance to get Covid vaccinations, waiting for this horrid subzero weather to end, and listening to an impeachment trial as background noise. I'll come and go from here as I please. I've stopped truly engaging with anyone because either they'll let me down or I'll let them down.