What is autism? That’s a good question. There’s no real answer to it, because autism is different things to different people. To some, autism is a curse that must be eradicated. To others, it’s a variation in human evolution.
I can speak only for myself and what autism is to me.
Autism is a part of me. It is a part of me that most of the time is neither good nor bad but is simply there. I have blue eyes, I have blonde hair, and I am autistic. That’s just the way things are. As Lady Gaga would say, I was born this way.
There are times when autism can be annoying or frustrating. These are usually times when my sensory issues or social skills deficits get in the way of my doing something that I want to do. That doesn’t mean that autism is bad. It’s just that being autistic can be more challenging than being neurotypical.
There are times when autism can be rewarding and fulfilling. When I attend autism conferences and spend time with other neurodiverse people, I have an amazing time and come away enriched. When I can figure out a problem by thinking differently, I’m thrilled. When my sensitive hearing enables me to hear something that others have trouble with, it’s like I’m rewarded for being autistic.
What is autism? Autism is my friends. Autism is my community.
Autism is me.
purpleaspie 
Comments on: "What is Autism?" (3)
Thanks for posting this. I can totally relate to autism being frustrating sometimes and rewarding at other times.
I think that the reason people who have neurotypicism are difficult to understand is that they are speaking from a view point (theory of mind) they have that formed in which they assume that everyone else will share their thinking. It is hard to figure out their meaning because their assumptions (judgements) are based on their ideas and comprehension. What they are saying makes no sense because it is totally out of context as it is based on these false assumptions. A comment based on some illconceived mistaken belief therefore may sound like “blar blar blar” with a tone that suggests it ought to mean something. It can cause a headache trying to fathom what they mean. I never know how to respond and find the smile walk talk method useful although I really think the problem is with them and I wish I had a sure-fire way of responding and making them have to think about their
behaviour.
I think it’s amazing how you can have some kind of comfort and pride with your Autism. Me on the other hand… not so much. I was diagnosed last year, in Aug. And I am grateful that I have the proper diagnoses, but at the same time I am not comfortable telling people that I am a person living with Asperger Syndrome because of the stigma attached to it. I only told 4 people now. But if you don’t mind and have the time, can you check out my posts. I started my account on Jan. 16, even though it might seem I started back in 2013. That’s not the case, I actually uploaded a bunch of stuff from my blogger. I think I might have made a mistake in doing that. Because I don’t get any views.
But here is my link to my Asperger post.
http://dysfunctionalartsycubenerd.wordpress.com/category/aspergers-syndrome/
I hope to hear from you (^-^)v