Question for NT people: Is it hard for you to understand us?

Post Reply New Topic

I was just thinking how much I've learned about NT people since I realized my problems. How they're different from me, what they like and prefer, what affect their mood and what please them. I put these all together and try to put on an act during social times. I still unintentionally break social rules left and right. It's just not in my nature to do all these things the right way. Then I thought relationship issues are usually mutual. Does that mean it's nearly impossible for NT to understand aspie thinking as well?

Imagine a world full of aspies and full of aspie rules and you need to fit in. You don't have to change who you are, just how you act at social functions. Can you learn all about aspies and learn to act like an aspie?

Is theory of mind issue a limitation to aspies only, or is it equally hard the other way around?

I don't know for sure, but judging from how hard of a time I have understanding NTs, it seems pretty likely they have just as hard of a time understanding us. Aspergers Syndrome is a really hard thing to explain to someone who doesn't have it themselves.

NTs think in people. They have never done anything but that. They cannot imagine group-belonging would not be your first priority.

So yes, I think it is very hard for them to understand us.

It is just as hard for NTs to fully understand people with AS as it is for them to understand cats. Most likely think cats are quite weird.

It's hard for me to understand (as an NT). I can accept it at face value but that is not the same thing as truly understanding. After participating in these forums for years, I can tick off boxes (sensory sensitivities, bottom up rather than top down assimilation of information etc.) but that is memorized knowledge which is at best a simulation of understanding.



I am confident I could. But that is down to mirror neurons, not understanding. I'm no method actor. I don't have to experience something in order to simulate it. I just copy. I have done so in order to fit into a variety of social groups over the years. But that is copying, not understanding.



It is equally hard the other way around.

I am confident I could. But that is down to mirror neurons, not understanding.

I am NT and I do agree with Janissy, still what I find really hard is to understand Aspies who for whatever reason (e.g. they are not ready to open up about themselves) act like NT, it is really confusing to me and i always wonder : should I relate to their ND core or to their NT wise behaviour?

There's various post in L&D section by NTs who are having problems understanding the Aspie they're with or like so I think it's equally hard for NTs to understand us as it is for us to understand them

I suppose I fall into the category of the NT-acting Aspie. There are various reasons: the fact that I was over 30 when I was diagnosed meant that my default identity was NT for most of my life, the fact that I can (mostly) function NT society, and the fact that I don't think my diagnosis is anyone's business unless I choose to tell them. As far as how to relate to someone who falls into that category, I suppose it would depend on whether the person in question was open about their diagnosis. My NT wife tries really hard to relate to my ASD behavior. It's an ongoing challenge.

This is simply not true. NT's are very diverse.

What does "NT" mean?

"neurotypical"

Oh lol I wish I was