Stereotypes people thought you'd have (autism)

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ENHANCE!

I've had people telling me this online as well - all of them saying they suspected it for some time before I said anything (if they knew me before I said anything). The person who said she could identify it by being around me is someone who has known me fairly well for about 3 years now and didn't have any idea.

I found the contrast interesting.

Last edited by Verdandi on 11 Apr 2011, 5:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

Oh that video is brilliant.

The stereotype that people expected me to fit was that of a person who pooped in her pants all the time. That was when I was in grade 1. You've got to remember that as I said, the ages 3 to 31 were the ages that I had enough control of the back end that I didn't have that problem, though I would strain before long car or plane trips in fear of having an accident. I hated being in grades 1 - 3, because my stupid peers had that preconception of me, without even knowing me from Adam. The strange thing is that I was able to speak clearly and get all my school work done on time, so I didn't get why they were making such a big fuss about a problem that I didn't usually have back than, except for maybe twice. Once at school and once at home.

one person said that they suspected. another that they wouldn't be surprised. one started watching amazing race and then said I had asperger's.

But other than that all I've heard is stereotypes.
"You are far too talkative"
"You're too social"
"you do so have friends"
are the most common

I seemed to have had the most preconceived notions out of everyone that I've told. I haven't told many, though. But from the people that I haven't told, I see misinformation and preconceived notions galore. It's thought of as a tragedy. Mind you, any family that has a child with autism deserves support. They need spiritual support, financial support, emotional support and practical support. They do not need pity. Because I see this overwhelming pity for auties in my social circles, I am too intimidated to find out what they'll say to me if they knew. I foresee a social death.

I think it would be helpful for NT's to get an education about social inclusion and about individual differences. My own views of low functioning autism were turned on their head when a boy attended our school many years ago. It's easier to pretend somebody doesn't exist or doesn't need support if you don't have to engage with that person.

assumptions people have made about me;

1. genius/savant (a la Rain Man etc.)
2. antisocial
3. no sense of humour
4 asexual
5. good with computers
6. obsessed with Science Fiction

1. I'm hopeless at maths, science and most subjects, except english and music-
I don't possess any savant-like abilities
2. I have many friends
3. love comedy and hope to become a stand up some day
4. in a relationship and I have a healthy libido!
5. hopeless with computers
6. yeah, I like Doctor Who and some Sci-Fi, but i'm not obsessed with it or anything

don't assume! it makes an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'!

I'm worried that if I am diagnosed with any form of Aspergers, people are going to immediately assume I'm like Jerry 'Hands' Espensen from Boston Legal!

in my case, indeed, i get the full 'rainman' projected on me, combined with some horror stories given by several money-hungry causes *cough*autismspeaks*cough*.
when i explain what AS actually means, the usual response is "that explains a lot", but only after explaining...

Well to some degree I have some steriotypes when I was younger

I used to bang my head on the floor alot, play with objects for hours, pretty socailly clueless, tested out as cognitively disabled, however I overcame alot and now people dont even notice unless I am having a bad day.

Therapists who didn't know me as a kid, tell me that I could not possibly have ASD because I make eye contact.
Thats because I was taught to make eye contact...

Jojo

when i told a guy i know i was researching autism and AS the imediate response was that he thought we were all savants. it was hard not to laugh at him very loudly because that would have been mean. it was good that he knew about the spectrum- thats more than most know. another guy i told i had AS thought we were all savants. and yet another asked me if i had trouble reading facial expressions which is not a stereotype, its in the DSM but he only knew not to stereotype because hes a psych student. my sister on the other hand thought autism meant stupid. havent really encountered much because no one really knows i have AS.

Although I was never thought to be autistic, here are some assumptions:

- I'm gay - false
- I'm lazy and unmotivated - well, maybe
- I have very high IQ (as primary cause of my aloofness) - false
- I don't pay attention to other people - sorry IDK, what did you say?
- I'm not social because I'm "for myself" - I have friends and I like to be with some of my relatives too
- I'm impatient with annoying sounds - poor me
- I don't lie because I was raised up so - bah
- I always forget something because I don't care - really?
- I'm short-tempered, impetuous, bloody-minded - never heard of meltdown and autistic impulsiveness-inertia before

When my tutor at uni found out I have AS (well actually on the form it said "autism spectrum disorder", he asked me if I could memorise books off by heart....sigh, it would be good if I could but I can't.

In my experience, people tend to take the few experiences. They've had with ASDs and apply it across the board. They leave no room for maturity and change, expecting people to be exactly the same for as long as they are alive. Like everyone else we learn and grow.