@JamesM,
To be more accurate, autism and intelligence are two independent things, and to be more accurate, one of the hallmarks of autism is asymmetrical intelligence. That is to say that autism, when it comes to intelligence, is often characterized by not an overall intelligence level, but rather several different types of intelligences, with a combination of high, medium, and low. Neurotypicals can also have asymmetrical intelligences, but with autism, it is often characterized by extremes. My testing demonstrated this. So, for example, when I had my testing done, I spent 2 hours in a testing lab with 2 people, one leading, the other observing, and we performed several types of tests. There were specific tests, for example, pattern recognition where I was in the 99th percentile, and there were other tests where I literally had to stop the test because I couldn't do it at all. Later, when I had my interview with my psychologist, a similar thing happened. It was almost like she was doing some sort of Jedi mind trick with me, leaving me embarrassingly red-faced and confused as to why my mind literally shut off.
I get along in life pretty well, overall, because I am self-aware enough to understand where my intelligences lie and where they don't. I think we all have to discover what those things are for us. Within the context of autism, it is not uncommon to be presented with someone of "low intelligence", someone who needs significant assistance in their daily lives, and yet, have very high intelligence in specific areas. Personally, I have worked with a few physicians who fall into that category, people who needed an assistant with them at their side throughout the day, but were actually quite brilliant at their profession. Realistically, I know that there are folks with an ASD that are significantly impacted intellectually, but even then, I wouldn't count them out as to having some specific talent or aptitude that they may or may not be aware of.
I am of the mind that we all sort of "adapt and overcome" because we either through "trial and error" or intuitively know how our brains work and we just naturally shy away from certain things that we struggle with and embrace things we tend to be good at.
In my life, it is more or less the "autism component" that has limited my understanding of neurotypical human behaviors, and because of this, has significantly affected my ability to rise up the corporate ladder. I am at the age, a few years from retirement now, and simply let the younger co-workers apply for positions above me. Not that they are more qualified or knowledgable, but because they have a lot more potential for making those interpersonal connections that I could never do, and it is better for the department, overall. They use me as a mentor and resource person, but I am not going to be good sitting in meetings, interacting with people, and making decisions because there is always a powerful "human element" that I am often oblivious to. Neurotypicals operate on a very different plane when it comes to the emotional content and meaning behind everyday things, and I simply don't have that.
One of my posts on another thread recently: "...the autistic component often presents itself when dealing with not WHAT people say, but rather HOW people say it and from what perspective. I ran across this the other day when I presented an idea to a committee at work. Overall, I believe it was received well and the idea was immediately implemented by management. Afterward, two co-workers were discussing HOW the group was discussing it and from what perspectives and how some were actually "put off" by some of the rhetoric. I just sat there confused, and I told them so. I just smiled and said,
"My autistic brain didn't catch ANY of that. All I know is that my idea was implemented, and for myself, it was a positive outcome." They laughed with me, (they know I am autistic), and they looked at me confused like,
"You seriously didn't catch ANY of that? Wow! I wish I could be like that! We sit and analyze every little nuance, trying to read between the lines and try to interpret what was REALLY said." Then, I laughed at them.
"Autism is a blessing and a curse."
There's a tendency with many autistics, often because of the low dopamine and serotonin levels in our brains, that we fall into depression easily, we self-deprecate, little "slights" or rejections can become devastating. We can really get ourselves into these moods where we feel hopelessly "stupid" or "retarded", "everyone hates me", and even as far as suicidal ideation. We tend to be socially isolated or marginalized, so we sit alone with our thoughts, analyzing ourselves, and often these are dark thoughts. That said, the best thing we can do for our mental and physical health is to stay busy. If you are spending way too much time in your home, on a computer or phone, you need something to do. If you are not socially busy, make sure you are physically or mentally busy, whatever that is for you. Being engaged in something productive, being engaged in life, is key to avoiding those demons.
