Autistic vs Neurotypical Interests/Obsessions/Rules?

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Hi!

I think such questions might have already been asked, but I'd like to ask them anyway.

We often hear about what Autism is like, what it is like to be Autistic... but has anyone actually wondered how Neurotypical should be defined?

Some of my therapists suggested that some differences between Autistic and Neurotypical behaviors, including interests (and obsessions <3), is the intensity. Like, Autistic people can spend hours and hours on their favorite topics, while Neurotypicals wouldn't do that so extremely.

I'm also wondering about this, because both my psychiatrist and my therapist say that I need some sort of frames/schemes/rules/(whatever you call it) that I can follow, because otherwise I feel anxious. They also point out that I like planning a lot - doing one thing at 12:30 p.m., doing another thing at 1 p.m., another one at 1:30 p.m., etc. But don't actually NT people do the same things? Don't they need frames/schemes/rules either? Or is the difference only in intensity?

It might be my black and white thinking that seems to polarize Autistic and NT behavior, but I'm just wondering?

Are you asking for suggestions for a schedule?

No, I'm not asking for a schedule.

I'm just wondering if NT people also have them, only to a smaller extent?

Yes, I think some NTs do have the need for routine so many aspies do. But it's normally less intense.