Autism and self-improvement link?

[Poppy98]

I wonder if, being often in the position of having to socially-problem-solve, ponder, and learn; people with autism are more prone to continually improve upon themselves consciously

(btw I think this is relatively rare in the NT community aside from when navigating a new pathology such as PTSD or panic attacks).

 

[Outdated]

I think it depends on the individual and isn't necessarily any different for autistic people than it is for the general population. The only difference I can see is that often when autistic people learn something they learn it completely and develop levels of understanding that most people simply aren't capable of.

 

[JayLapointe]

I wonder if, being often in the position of having to socially-problem-solve, ponder, and learn; people with autism are more prone to continually improve upon themselves consciously

(btw I think this is relatively rare in the NT community aside from when navigating a new pathology such as PTSD or panic attacks).

I don't think it's honestly that rare for NT's. Just go through any bookstore and look at the size of the self-help sections. Those books weren't all written for us, very few of them were.

I think though, and this part is just wild speculation, that with NT's the motivations for going to the self help books are very different. I can only speak from my personal experience but I find when I'm looking in those sections I'm looking for books to better understand myself and how my brain functions in comparison to regular folks, and how best to smooth those interactions. Where as I think for most NT's their motivation for self-improvement and those books typically comes down to wanting to get rich so being more successful at work or in investments. Or the other side is typically the "shortcut to happiness" type books where an NT instead of going to see a legitimate therapist to deal with issues tries to go it alone with a "how to be happy" manual.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

In my experience, one's behavior is heavily influenced by neurochemistry, genetics, and upbringing. Neuroplasticity tends to diminish with age... it doesn't go away... but if you are 5 years old, it's significantly enhanced as compared to when you are 25, 45, or 65.

As an adult... and especially now, as an "older" adult... I really struggle with changing behaviors. It's rare that something effects my life in such a meaningful way that it causes a change in thoughts and behaviors.

At some point and at some level, intellectually, I understand what I "should" be doing. The reality is that if a certain behavior requires "conscious effort"... my mental stamina just isn't there to keep doing it. I can do some "low-moderate" masking... but that higher level masking, the type that goes against my nature and personality... I can do it for an hour or two, but that's it.

Pick your battles. Sometimes trying "too hard" has diminishing returns.

 

[Poppy98]

In my experience, one's behavior is heavily influenced by neurochemistry, genetics, and upbringing. Neuroplasticity tends to diminish with age... it doesn't go away... but if you are 5 years old, it's significantly enhanced as compared to when you are 25, 45, or 65.

As an adult... and especially now, as an "older" adult... I really struggle with changing behaviors. It's rare that something effects my life in such a meaningful way that it causes a change in thoughts and behaviors.

At some point and at some level, intellectually, I understand what I "should" be doing. The reality is that if a certain behavior requires "conscious effort"... my mental stamina just isn't there to keep doing it. I can do some "low-moderate" masking... but that higher level masking, the type that goes against my nature and personality... I can do it for an hour or two, but that's it.

Pick your battles. Sometimes trying "too hard" has diminishing returns.

So you can no longer mask at the same level you used to be able to? Or you're just no longer able to add to your masking skills?

 

[Neonatal RRT]

So you can no longer mask at the same level you used to be able to? Or you're just no longer able to add to your masking skills?

I have to mask all day, 12hrs, at work... but even then, I don't do it well enough to satisfy everyone. I will occasionally run into various issues depending upon different situations.

What is more the issue... since I've been diagnosed and settled into the understanding of who I am... and have accepted myself, totally. I honestly don't give a **** if people like me or not. I don't have friends, nor do I want friends. I've lived pretty much my entire life without friends. It's not important, at all, for my happiness in life. Sure, I like to perform random acts of kindness, I will take time to help people, I am a good co-worker and team player... but because I don't really care what you think of me... it relieves a lot of mental stress. I generally put less effort into the process of masking... and frankly, at my age, I don't have the mental stamina for that higher-level, mentally focused, and conscious masking. I don't like "acting", as I find it rather deceptive... and honesty is quite important to me.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

My first position I Read two books, one on industrial colour control built my career on it plus I also read the aluminum association hand book sas I was employed by a aluminum processing facility.aluminum sheet and coil aluminum extrusions, forgings how alloys are designated. how many NT's would take the time to do this. Latter after I changed positions I learned post painting as I knew pre-painting. plus I took courses in paint manufacturing only application expert in class received two year diploma, all this without knowing I was on spectrum.

 

[Matthias]

I think it's the opposite. Many autistic people I've met seem to believe their problems are genetic, part of who they are, and something they shouldn't change while NTs recognize that their problems are flaws that can and should be overcome. The result: NTs continually improve overtime while some with autism continue to suffer from the same problems for years or decades.

Emotional sensitivity is a good example:

When NTs are highly sensitive, it's rightly seen as an emotional problem that can and should be overcome with therapy and/or self-help books. Parents and teachers often act to help them correct their behavior and NTs who listen learn to overcome it and be less sensitive.

When autistic individuals are highly sensitive, they often think it's just part of who they are (meaning genetic) and something that should be embraced (neurodiversity). They misinterpret constructive criticism (that would help them overcome it) as a personal attack. The result: They stubbornly refuse to listen to good advice, don't improve, and are still throwing temper tantrums like a toddler (crying, screaming, throwing things) to get what they want well into adulthood.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

You cannot control what you know nothing about I had no idea I was on spectrum though it was just a series of bad luck, so keep improving my education to try to overcome it. Then one day wrote a test for autism as a lark, was stunned to find I fit the profile with a 99% probability. Been learning ever since.