6d ago

He's just eccentric

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As the years go on, I'm more affirmed of the position that the term 'autism' is used to explain every day behaviours, but by below average IQ people. They're both cognitive spectrums, after all. But even experts of the former struggle to define it, just like the shortcomings of IQ and it's...whatever it is.
It's why more and more we hear, "Well I guess everyone's a little on the spectrum." So if it's normal, not being so is not normal.
I think, "The average person isn't below average" is synonymously more true—obviously—in context of cognitive application.
At this rate the modern, "Haha! NERD!!!" aka. "autistic" will be someone that folds washing or can't socially explain the Dunning-Kruger effect to a person that thinks it's European Ben & Jerry's, entirely missing the critique on their education in politics being from X.
My drunken point is, who the fuck doesn't like sorting wires? You ever dealt with those messy things?! Only an idiot wouldn't.
- This is so wrong it almost wrapped around and became right again.
  
  Maybe it's right but poorly articulated?
  
  Iq tests get iffy in neurodivergence due to spikey skillsets, but neither my husband or i are "low IQ", and i'm ASD while he's got ADHD
  
  I'm not defending their comment (because I'm not even really sure what its stance is), but I do want to clarify that they don't seem to be arguing that we're low-IQ rather than autistic; rather, I think the argument is that when low-IQ people see "normal" IQ activities, the low-IQ person will chalk it up to neurodivergence.
  Like in their example, a low-IQ person would see a neurotypical person folding their laundry and think, "huh, they must be on the spectrum".
  
  Thanks that comment makes at least 40% more sense now.
  
  IQ is bad in general since you are trying to measure "intelligence" with arbitrary test problems. Intelligence doesn't have a clear definition so the IQ test is flawed.
  
  I know, right?! Glad you agree.
- There are quite a few misconceptions in this comment. For example, "Well I guess everyone's a little on the spectrum." is a comment that frustrates many autistic people because it misunderstands what the "spectrum" in ASD means, and is usually said in a way that diminishes the lived reality of autistic people. I realise that you weren't making that statement, merely pointing to the existence of people who make this argument. Nonetheless, I want to emphasise that this sentiment is not representative of autism.
  I do think that with the increasing awareness of autism in the popular consciousness, there is a risk that our understanding of autism may be hampered by stereotypes. I have seen diagnosed autistic people feeling like their struggles were invalid because they didn't nearly fit into the popular conception of what an autistic person looks like. I believe that autism is probably still a useful category, in terms of helping people find the support they need to live fulfilling lives, but that we need to be mindful of how category labels can cause harm if misunderstood or misapplied.
  
  "affirmed of the position that the term is used"
  Yrp, you're underscoring one of my tangent points. I couldn't be bothered making more text in the one comment, but also figured if the comment was too long, it'd get a bunch of people jumping on me before they could manage to finish it. Alas, never avoidable. So, thanks 😁
  Oh, but also just keep in mind, those misconceptions are in quotes for a reason.
  And I see it kind of the same way as we saw OCD being diluted, just the 2020s version of that. Only the ignorant claimed to be or claimed to say one is OCD for normal behaviours to average people leaning more towward a perceived unusual particularity, such as ironing and folding clothes, for example
  But again, I'm drunk.
  
  I think classifying yourself can limit your growth potential. Just because you are autistic today doesn't mean you have to stay that way. You can change yourself, if you want. If not, that's fine too.
  
  Autism can't be "cured" and it's something people learn to live with not move past. If you know a person who was autistic and don't seem to be any longer, one of the following things happened.
  Therapy helped them learn ways to manage
  They learned you aren't someone safe to be themselves around and mask around you.
  All the above.
- ?
  I don't like sorting wires. I just give them to someone who does like them. Then I also know who to go to if I need wires.

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