Who on WP is proud to be on the spectrum?

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I'm actually happy that I'm autistic, because I have the ability to be alone for hours. My focus is very intense when there's something that I need to get done or when I'm working out. I have some very unique Special Interests that I enjoy and I feel happy and satisfied when I'm engaged in them. I feel as happy with my Special Interests as NTs do when they're socializing at a party. I see my unusual accent for my area as a cute quirk. I also prefer to be with two very close friends than in a big group of people, which I feel is very cozy and warm. I've also learned an important lesson as a child and teenager not to hurt anybody in any way, because I've been hurt by many people during those years.

I'm happy being autistic, there are advantages along with the disadvantages, but for me it's just that...as they say...'I always knew I was different', I accepted that a long time ago so I have no reason to think of myself as less-than and learning I was different because I was autistic means that as well as being different I also now belong, which is pretty awesome.

I'm proud to be myself, as I identify as autistic then I guess I must be proud to be autistic

Last edited by Bloodheart on 08 Mar 2013, 1:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

I'd also like to say that if people don't like this thread, or they're blood thirsty not to post here.

I don't know that I would say I was proud, but I wouldn't want to be anyone else.

I am who I am. There are things about me that are positive... I tend to think with fairly clear logic and I am pretty good at learning a variety of interesting skills. But that's just an accident of genetics. It's however my brain happens to be wired and it's nothing that I can personally take credit for.

I will take credit for my photography or the things I have written or the films I have made. If I were not on the spectrum, I probably would not have the skills I have. But I became a good photographer on my own, regardless of autism. I am glad I am who I am. I am glad I worked to be good at what I do. That's something I can take credit for. But I can't take credit for the genetic circumstance that gave me Aspergers Syndrome. So I can't be proud of that, specifically.

Aspergers Syndrome has given me a great deal to be frustrated by in life. But it has also given me a lot of advantages. It makes me just like anybody else... I'm good at some things. I'm bad at other things. It all balances out in the end.

Indifferent, if indeed I do have it. That's why I haven't bothered to get a second opinion, despite my therapist believing I have it.
I am me. I like what I like, and hate what I hate. Socialization is just a game to me. I like games. I'm able to work. My social life could be broader, but I'm capable of working on that.
I refuse to define myself by my neurological makeup.

I'm ever more so OK with all of those things about myself, and even quite happy with some of them, but I still don't have all that equate to being proud to be on the spectrum. Even if I become as self accepting and happy with who I am as some of my friends examples are, I'm still not sure that would translate to being proud to be on the spectrum. Maybe proud of who I am, but I'm just not seeing being on the spectrum as something to be either proud of or disappointed about. It just sort of is what it is, kind of a neutral state thing like other aspects of who I am, ie I'm tall - but I'm not proud of being tall. I'm white, as I was born caucasian, but I'm not particularly proud nor disappointed with it. Does that make sense?

I can see what you're saying here, goldfish, and my initial reaction to the thread would echo your post in many aspects: I feel that I can't take pride in something that is not an accomplishment (being autistic- I was born like this, I didn't do anything to get to this point).

However, at the same time, I understand where CockneyRebel is coming from. I've been listening a lot to the Black Star album by Mos Def and Talib Kweli lately, and it also touches upon black pride quite a bit: some lyrics are empowering, and other lyrics urge the listener to take a critical stance w/ regard to how to view oneself (I should mention I'm Afro-Caribbean from my father's side, Asian from my mom's side). It's not so much about being proud of what you were born as, as it is about the awareness of the struggle of those around you, those who came before you, and those who will come after you, (cliché as this may sound) on the one hand- and at the same time acknowledging the collective feats of the community on the other hand.
That's also how I see it with autism. I still won't be quick to say that I'm proud to be autistic, but if I read a story in a magazine or on this forum about someone autistic going through life, facing the struggles and challenges that come with growing up autistic- and making progress in the face of those challenges, coming out victorious... that give me an amount of pride, even if I'm not the one having made the accomplishment.

i havent thought about it really. i am not proud but i am not exactly ashamed of myself either. i admit i do blame other peoples negative atitude toward me for making me unhappy, while alot of autistics blame themselves for their isolation then get really ashamed and embaressed about it all.

i often have outburst at work in front of the other busdrivers, some laugh some sigh and some reassure me but i dont care what they think. i only care if i am happy and if i am not happy i will let other know (sometimes i cant help my reaction) its no good being ashamed of myself and trying to hide it. i guess i am lucky i have a loving husband that doesnt mind if i am embaressing which helps an awful lot.

but i never knew i had autism before i just thought i had severe learning difficultys because of my low iq (aparently low iq is uncommon in autistic people which may be why i didnt get a diagnosis).

Im not proud of having AS, neither ashamed, because pride and shame are something I never feel, also because AS is not something I caused or something I chose, therefore I'm not proud or ashamed of it.

Since I am undiagnosed, would it be presumptive of me to say that yes, I like being this way--even though it does have its limitations?

If I had known sooner and understood those limitations and how to work around them instead of trying to ignore them, I would have made better choices in life.

I see being on the autistic spectrum as something I have to deal with. I don't feel ashamed about it and feel proud that I've been able to overcome difficulties and am still here. I don't feel proud of the autism in itself, but I am proud of the character-building effect it's had on me.

I just celebrated my 2nd anniversary of my official autism spectrum diagnosis yesterday and I am proud to be Autistic!

I'm glad I'm an autistic person - I don't want to be a normal person. I don't know how I would survive.

Philosophical comment here: I don't agree that there should be pride in anything which you cannot choose or control. Pride should come from the good results of work that you do, with the life you were given; autistic, NT, or otherwise. To be proud of one's autism, doesn't make sense any more than being proud of being a member of any certain race or sexual preference

Charles

Charles, nice answer!

I'm proud of my Aspergers. It lets me see the world in a different way, and allows me to come up with solutions others would not think of. I think if I were NT, it would be boring, to say the least.