‘Neural noise’ could be a hidden advantage of the autistic mind
But some research, including our own study, has explored specific advantages in autism. Studies have shown that in some cognitive tasks, autistic people perform better than allistic people.
Autistic people face ignorance, prejudice and discrimination that can harm wellbeing. Poor mental and physical health, reduced social connections and increased “camouflaging” of autistic traits are some of the negative impacts that autistic people face.
So, research underlining and investigating the strengths inherent in autism can help reduce stigma, allow autistic people to be themselves and acknowledge autistic people do not require “fixing”.
The autistic brain is different. It comes with limitations, but it also has its strengths.
Or, an autistic who isn't afraid and/or shy to share that they are actually autistic?
Or, an autistic person who is active in the autism acceptance “movement” (if we can call it that)?
Or, perhaps, an autistic who were interviewed and disclosed they're autistic?
Maybe you have other considerations or criteria that defines “openly autistic” for you?
NOTE: Being openly autistic is a choice and is not for everyone. I think it is safe to say that we all face discrimination, stereotyping, and prejudice for being actually autistics, thus, most choose not to be open about it.
However, recently, there has been a slow growth in numbers of openly autistics, and like with most things in life, we have different criteria, definitions, and cultural considerations.
Thus, I am curious what you think, personally or maybe your immediate environment or organisation, is an openly autistic person. Or, when do you consider one as openly autistic.
Again, this is not about if an autistic person should be openly autistic or not. ^_^
To quote two:
“If your workplace is dominated by extroverts who criticize those who prefer to work alone — or skip after-work cocktails — as “not team players,” it may inadvertently alienate gifted people.”
“there is no difference in conforming responses given to high- and low-pressure levels by introverts.”
It feels like they described #autistic me. Then again, I'm an #INFP ( / #Introvert) type of autistic, so it fits.
In addition, I experienced that “not team players” from some managers from a certain company years ago. I don't join after-work cocktails, or any party, and was branded as “not a team player” by some of those in position. I was actually very glad I did not because I later found out they force people to drink, and I can't because I have #gout (other than the fact, you can't make me drink if I don't want to).
Anyway. What about you, my fellow #ActuallyAutistics? Or, are you an extrovert autistic yet still find similarities from the article and studies mentioned in it?
I voted earlier today. We have two, one for Barangay (Town) and one for Sanguniang Kabataan (SK or Youth Council).
The election rep handling the ballots asked for my ID because he had to confirm my age.
SK (Youth Council) is open for 15 to 30 years old voters.
I look like I'm in my late 20s.
While he did not ask me for my age, better to confirm it with an ID to avoid election fraud, when people ask me, I used to say, "I stopped counting at 30" (now it's 28). It's half-joke, the other half is the truth, people do mistake me to be in my late 20s.
Many #ActuallyAutistics, for some reason, look half their actual age once we enter adulthood. I'm not aware of any scientific explanation regarding this, but it has been observed.
For me, this was not the first time. I was always mistaken to be underage (under 18) until I hit 25-27. It was always funny whenever I was with friends or colleagues because they all reacted. 🤣
It was a 5–10-year gap. Now it's a 20+ year gap. Maybe one day, there will be a 30-year gap with my actual age.
1 + 7 = 8, although an even number, it symbolises infinity and eternity, and us #ActuallyAutistics
13 is also special.
A Prime
An Odd
A Fibonacci number
And depending on whom you ask:
The 8th Fibonacci number
The 7th Fibonacci number
Ironically:
The anniversary of my first romantic relationship was on: 1997-07-17. It was my first love who picked that, and she had no idea what my favourite numbers are.
My height is 175 cm or 5'7.5" to 5'8.5" (depending on whom you ask).
Favourite time of the day: 07:00 and 19:00 (7pm). 19 is the 8th Prime. (There's 8 again.)
Veganism is literally dangerous for autistic people and if you tell an autistic person to go vegan you are a malignant dumbass who is suffering from a Dunning Krueger syndrome.
It describes it as:
“Autistic burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports. It is characterized by pervasive, long-term (typically 3+ months) exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus.” ~Raymaker et al, 2020
Typically the Autistic person in question will still have multiple demands in their life that require cognitive resources, despite having little to no resources left to give. Life goes on, as they say.
Something to which I've never admitted, and here I am posting it publicly...
How many of we #ActuallyAutistics have quietly, secretly nursed the dream that we could reach people with some talent? Singing? Playing an instrument? Writing? Use some innate talent or skill to connect in ways we can't seem to manage otherwise?
Something to which I've never admitted, and here I am posting it publically...
How many of we #ActuallyAutistics have quietly, secretly nursed the dream that we could reach people with some talent? Singing? Playing an instrument? Writing? Use some innate talent or skill to connect in ways we can't seem to manage otherwise?
Season 04 Episode 11 of Fringe featured the meeting of the two Agent Astrid Farnsworth, one an autistic and the other neurotypical.
This episode aired on 2012-02-04 and entitled “Making Angels”.
The autistic Agent Astrid Farnsworth came from the “Amber World” (the parallel world), and the NT Astrid is from the “Prime World” (our world basically).
The character is, I would say “basic” as far as portrayal of an autistic person. Some would say it's a stereotype. But I like her nonetheless because it was not exaggerated, and the focus was not on her autism instead it was about her many skills.
And in this episode, we saw through her that autistic people are humans too. That we have our own struggles, we do cry and feel emotions (contrary to the claims that we lack it), and we just want to live like everyone else.
The autistic Astrid was introduced in season 2 (2009–2010). The actress, Jasika Nicole, was praised for her performance of both the neurotypical and the autistic Agent Astrid.
How about you, what do you think of her character? How was the performance (specifically with autistic Astrid)?
Season 04 Episode 11 of Fringe featured the meeting of the two Agent Astrid Farnsworth, one an autistic and the other neurotypical.
This episode aired on 2012-02-04 and entitled “Making Angels”.
The autistic Agent Astrid Farnsworth came from the “Amber World” (the parallel world), and the NT Astrid is from the “Prime World” (our world basically).
The character is, I would say “basic” as far as portrayal of an autistic person. Some would say it's a stereotype. But I like her nonetheless because it was not exaggerated, and the focus was not on her autism instead it was about her many skills.
And in this episode, we saw through her that autistic people are humans too. That we have our own struggles, we do cry and feel emotions (contrary to the claims that we lack it), and we just want to live like everyone else.
The autistic Astrid was introduced in season 2 (2009–2010). The actress, Jasika Nicole, was praised for her performance of both the neurotypical and the autistic Agent Astrid.
How about you, what do you think of her character? How was the performance (specifically with autistic Astrid)?
Whenever I see negative feedback about the #fediverse, it is about:
being lonely
lacks discoverability
reach is poor
support for this and that is lacking
not welcoming for other people
All of the above, it has to do with what I've described in this quoted post, #ObservableFediverse. Meaning, one was only exposed to a very small part of the fediverse from that person's vantage point.
Let's take for example the #5 item. Is the fediverse not welcoming for certain groups of people, the minorities, the marginalised, those with disabilities, and often discriminated based on origin?
Have you seen those? More likely not. Why? “Observable fediverse.”
In #astronomy, an #ObservableUniverse is the part of the huge universe that we can observe from Earth. It is how far our current technology can reach.
It is the same in “observable fediverse”. What you see, what you are interacting with, is only what you currently have access to. Your “observable fediverse” relies on these factors:
The users in your instance.
The remote users and other servers your instance is aware of.
The people you are following (which include groups).
That is your “observable fediverse”.
Since you are not following a user who is following a Filipino, or is a member of an autistic group, there is very little chance you will see content from Filipinos and autistics.
Another reason of disappointment is misunderstanding what the “fediverse/global timeline” is. Here's the thing, it is just the public chatter.
Think of it as visiting a crowded public park. You'll hear all kinds of discussions. There are those that are offensive, and those that are not.
The “federated/global timeline” is also not the entirety of the fediverse. It is only what your instance/server is aware of. If what you most see are unwelcoming content, then don't look at it, or move to a new instance, or ask around. I'm sure your own instance will help you find like-minded individuals and groups.
That's your observable fediverse. The fediverse is not unwelcoming. My guesstimate is, no one account, no one server, have seen more than 1% of the entire fediverse. Just like how we haven't seen more than 1% of the entire universe.
A question to my fellow autistics / Actually Autistics, have you ever felt embarrassed about something? And do you understand what it means?
Some context.
I'm trying to think of an experience where I felt embarrassed, but I can't think of one. The way I understood embarrassment is you felt ashamed about something. Believe it or not, I don't remember feeling ashamed at all.
For example, there was a time when I slipped when I stepped on the sidewalk. The reason I slipped was because I was looking around trying to find where my crush was hiding (we were waiting to be let in at school for our turn in quarterly major exams).
I understand that it's supposed to be an embarrassing moment. My crush saw me that day, she told me after we started dating (it became a teasing moment, and a constant reminder she was turned-off that day LOL). Frankly, even to this day I can't help but laugh at it whenever I recall it.
But, to feel ashamed of it, I did not feel anything at all other than the pain of crashing into the concrete.
I mean, I just accepted it for what it is, I slipped because I wasn't paying attention where I was stepping, and that's that. I even laughed at myself (and as I've said earlier, still laugh at it to this day). It's my own foolishness to begin with (and oh, you are free to laugh, too, since I'm laughing at myself. :P )
And speaking of laughing… I never minded when people laughed at my expense. I didn't even think of getting angry, or reporting them, or retaliating negatively. If I can think of a comeback, not revenge, I do, otherwise I take it in stride. I am not saying I don't take offence, but I don't react the same way I've observed most people do.
Is that just me? Or, is that something observable with many?