NeuroTypical experiences needed!

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Hello,

Latest posts in the 'First Time in History!! !! The New NT/AS Open Hotline!! !! !!' discussion thread
http://www.wrongplanet.net/posts102721-start2160.html indicates the importance of NT/AS friendships.

Thank-you

To get "neurotypical" experiences, all one has to do is work, go out to a lecture, go out to dinner with friends, things like that.

Who can make such a comparison? No one's ever been ASD and NT in the same lifetime. No one will ever know what it's like on both sides of the fence.

I actually don't think it's that "absolute."

It's difficult for an NT to be able to know how it feels to be "autistic"--except, to use one example, when they are overwhelmed by stimuli from many directions. The threshold for the autistic person to be overwhelmed in a sensory sense is at least somewhat less than what it is for the NT.

I believe I know how it feels to be both autistic and "NT." It took a lot of work, though. Watching people talk, listening to what they say. Watching their body movements, even. I used to actually talk to myself using NT dialogue. It wasn't a "foreign language"--but it was definitely a distinct dialect of English.

I used to not care when somebody was being overly "literal." Now, I care, because to be too literal is to miss many aspects of things.

Simply put, people with Aspergers (AS) (including myself) benefitted from thoughtful NeuroTypicals (NTs).

An (NTs) experience with "the real world" can boost the progress of those with (AS); as many people with (AS) have difficulties with "real world" involvement.

Many of us know of AND/OR are related to terrific (NT) people who can empathize with (AS).
Furthermore, many people with (AS) are capable of "small talk" in familiar places with familiar people; important experiences with social-skills to empathize with (NTs), where osmosis also plays important roles. In other words, "enough to get by."

WrongPlanet offers discussions on "dealing with the holiday season" - as the holidays are a time of active social interaction; which presents difficulties concerning (AS).

With the holiday season upon us, boost that courage to "get together" with these terrific NT people; even if it is only one-person - to "break the ice" so to speak. In other words, the holidays can instead be that "blessing in disguise" yielding gifts that give year-round!

Best Wishes.

ADDENDUM:

The one concern over "holiday get-togethers" is basically the holidays may be interpreted as more hectic (too much stimuli concerning Aspergers) than the rest of the year; yet the advantage here is that more opportunities for "get togethers" are presented. The one question that remains is whether, or not (NTs) are also allowed more opportunities to become receptive with Aspergers, as compared with the rest of the year?

Regardless, the first step is always "the hardest!" As said previously, "small talk" with familiar people in familiar places, as well as observing people largely through osmosis can nudge us to "break the ice" so to speak! In a sense, a means that allows us to work with our "strengths" to get to our weaknesses!

I've left a note in the forum - but I'll leave it here, too. I would be happy to participate in such a thing, but I am not willing to post in the 150 page single thread topic. I just find it too difficult to follow and there's no way to know if there's going to be something that I would want to post on or not. But if it were set up as a sort of sub-forum, like parenting or love and dating or something like that it might make more sense. I'm aware it wouldn't be the most active sub-forum on here, but I just can't make sense of it the other way.

Thank you for your response 'Elkclan.' Best to judge the progress of this discussion thread "day-by day."

Reading about how people with Aspergers progress can be helpful. I've just read Daniel Tammet's 'Born on a Blue Day' and I'm impressed how Tammet "broke the ice" on developing, and maintaining friendships.

LINK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Tammet

LINK: 'Born On a Blue Day' http://www.amazon.com/Born-Blue-Day-Ext ... lue+day%22

Hi,

I would also love to participate in an AS/NT discussion. I have considered responding to some questions in threads in other forums when someone has asked what it means when an NT does/ says this type question or in threads where someone was looking for advice about to approach a NT about a specific subject before, but have also felt ( as someone said in the hotline thread) that I would be butting in.

I am NT, but would say that I have some AS traits. I most definitely have sensory integration issues. And, I can reach a point where I am unable to put together a coherent sentence when I am feeling overwhelmed by stimuli. As a child, I spaced out all the time, had executive functioning issues and became disoriented and lost my direction even when I was walking around my own block sometimes. I also did and do stim, but very subtly now. I can, and do, engage in small talk and chit chat, but have never much enjoyed or appreciated it. But, I would say I am very good at reading people's intentions and am very social.

I would love to learn more and offer feedback as a NT person as well.

Hello,

AS/NT friendships present opportunities for NTs to act as "a wingman of sorts" in advising on such concerns as housing/rental issues, occupational concerns; just to name some of the sometimes complex everyday concerns.

Thank-you

I think the benefits go both ways. My son has offered me many opportunities to stop and examine things I have been saying (such as everyday phrases), and ways I have been thinking and responding my whole life with a wonderfully refreshing perspective. I have learned a lot from him.

Thank-you for your response. Have you had experience with Aspergers in young-adults and older? Awareness regarding Aspergers in adults is lacking!

Not a whole lot. I know, very casually, a couple of AS adults. I actually have strong suspicions that my husband is AS (as does he), though. His brother, and nephew, have AS, but they live in another country and we rarely see them.

I will be mingling with a bunch of AS adults this weekend, though. My husband's friend (who has been helping me navigate the evaluation process with my son) runs an art studio for adults on the spectrum and I am going to one of their art openings on Saturday.

Hello,

Need to review and reassess this discussion thread!

Thank-you

I can guess what may be NT experience when I compare how I experience something that's not an issue for me compared to someone who is more autistic than me. I have seen this a few times with other females who are obviously more on the spectrum than me - and I get that typical NT reaction of feeling intensely uncomfortable because they've behaved in socially oblivious way. I tend to ignore it though but it does make me feel slightly good about myself that I am not as bad as them (is that a horrible thing to say????)

Hello,

By any chance, does your husband's friend's art studio assist adults on the spectrum in getting artwork into exhibitions? I had once volunteered at an Autism center that encouraged an adult on the spectrum to have their art exhibited in a gallery e.g., negotiating with the gallery owners, filling-out paperwork etc.

Thank-you