Inequality - who is the onus on?

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And to say we should rise up to the same level of communication processes is like saying that NT's should rise up to the same level of our analytical thought processes.


That's a very good point IMO. Made me think of that cartoon where a monkey, an elephant, a dog etc are lined up in front of a tree, and are being told by a human: "now to make this test equal, all you have to do is climb that tree.."

I choose both but I might choose neither.
Everyone knows how NT's majority modern world works and looks like it, and own experiences because we all ARE currently living in it. No one truly knows how AS's majority modern world works, it's mostly assumptions and theories that are either too unstable or being a utopia, because it never existed.

But a complete no-AS, and a no-NT modern world never existed or happened either!.. Just like alternative histories and stories. XD

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There's nothing wrong with NTs aspiring to achieve the analytical thought abilities of people with AS. Just like there's nothing wrong with people with AS aspiring to achieve the social facility of NTs.

If both would be inspired in this way, humankind would progress.

Nobody is going to achieve perfection.....but the quality of life for both groups would be enhanced as a result if both groups perceive effort is being made by each other.

I can't think of too many situations where an NT has to be accommodating of my communication differences, other than to simply accept it when I am not being as talkative as they are. But they may take offense to it, and/or continue trying to "force" me to talk with them, when there is absolutely no need for it and I really just want - no, NEED - to be quiet.

So I end up feeling like I have to be constantly vigilant to the possibility of offending people simply because I did not respond exactly the way they wanted me to, while they don't seem to be understanding of my feelings at all. I realize they don't understand why it's stressful or exhausting for me to have to talk, but I'm unable to inform them at that moment.

I don't want people to meet me "more than halfway." I feel like when they are doing that, they are actually crossing a line and being a bit intrusive. I just want people to understand when to back off and give me some space.

Can I just interject for a moment please?

I was thinking that when women wanted equal rights to men, it was mainly the women who had to take the initiative.

Now it might be slightly different in the case for disabled people but from where I'm sitting there are more NT's Than ASDers but the ASDers tend to know more about the NT's than they know about us. With this I do feel we have kind of an advantage in some way or other.

Anyway, I am rambling around in my head a bit. Maybe there's someone out there who might get my drift...

Babybird brings up a good point: autistic people have to speak up for themselves to be heard; hence, perhaps, they carry a greater burden.....as all people who "deviate from the norm" do.

Autism is still seen by many as a disorder which is not worthy of "being taken seriously" because of its perceived "severity." People just don't know about the positive/useful aspects of autism.

The key, really, is to emulate Temple Grandin and present the strengths of autism in a common-sensual manner rather than in a stridently separatist/political manner.

Martin Luther King presented his civil-rights viewpoints in a similar manner--and, obviously achieved great success. He was assertive in presenting his message--but never strident.

The trouble is if you have a condition that limits your ability to communicate, it makes it harder to speak up for yourself.

There are many autistic people who COULD speak up for themselves.....even if it doesn't literally involve oral speaking. If NTs are educated, they would be more willing to assist autistic people, especially if they are inspired by that education.

Who cares if the "system" isn't "made" for someone, people could succeed DESPITE the "system." They've been doing it for 1000s of years. It ain't made for me, that's for sure. But I didn't allow it to determine my path. I succeeded somewhat despite it.

Separatism never works.

In the case of disabilities in general, I say both.. but when it's an "invisible" disability like ASD, I think the reality is that the onus is on the Autistic person to try their absolute best to communicate with NT's as "normally" as possible. This is especially applicable when interacting with someone who does not know you, or does not know you have Autism. They won't recognize your symptoms & quirks as Autism because they're completely ignorant of the diagnostic criteria & ASD traits. They will just think you're odd, or an idiot, or a poor communicator, or intentionally trying to frustrate them etc so it's up to you as the ASD person to work on your own social & communication skills so that you can integrate into the rest of the world. The rest of the world isn't going to stop being NT and accommodate your unique style. It might be a bit different between couples/family/close friends etc as others might be a little more forgiving of your social blunders when they know you're prone to them. Maybe then it should be a little give & take, but really the onus still lies on the Autistic person to do their best not to make mistakes or upset people etc.

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No for supporting trump. Because doing so is deplorable.

I think if an "autistic" way of looking at things leads to improvements in such things as motors and methods of vaccinating farm animals, then the "autistic way" must be respected. Without the autistic viewpoint, these improvements would not have been possible. "Normal" people shouldn't rest on their laurels, lest they be overtaken by the autistic way of looking at things.....especially when it comes to innovations in computer technology and engineering.

NTs.

They're the ones who have the energy and the resources, as well as the power in society, and they're the ones responsible for the inequality in said society.

NTs are the ones who won't listen to anyone who are low in the hierarchy, and won't take anyone seriously who don't do the song and dance right.

Aspies can try to explain and educate until we're blue in the face, but that won't do an ounce of good when they're not willing to listen.
And will just make us regret we ever told them at all.

Ideally, both, but realistically speaking we are the odd ones out, and I don't expect people to study the intricacies and eccentricities of all the possible neurological configurations people may come in when that's not terribly productive for them. Hell, I've met plenty of Aspies that are odd and unpleasant to me despite understanding the mechanisms of AS and how it affects people, and I'm about as sympathetic and knowledgeable an audience as could be hoped for.

If NTs had to go the full way and communicate to a person with AS how they naturally communicate I wouldn't bother talking to anybody with AS, because I shouldn't have to do this purely because another bunch of people (under the gigantic label NT) refuse to.

Equality from my perspective is 50/50 in this situation.

I think that my generation is far more understanding and supportive of equality than the older generations, hence why as older people die off equality is generally increasing.

I can understand frustration of having to put in a lot more effort in general, but autism is among the millions of differences in the world, and expecting the majority to cater for every single differing factor seems to me like a hopeless goal. The majority is made up of people, and people are individuals. I am an individual and do not care for involvement outside of my desires, just as the same with everybody else. I am 100% willing to meet a person with AS halfway, if they have told me that they have AS.

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Unapologetically, Norny.
-chronically drunk