What if Autism never existed?

[Crossbreed]

Lower functioning individual might be for the better with a total cure in the bigger picture, but as a higher functioning autistic person, I'm going to still stick to my guns.

I believe that a cured LFA IS an HFA.

 

[FlowerChild]

I like to ask myself instead what the world would look like if Autism was the dominant social identity. I recently attended an event that was designed by Autistic people to be as accessible as possible. There was a quiet Autism room with low lighting and stim toys. There were measures implemented to keep the whole event as quiet as possible (i.e. avoiding applause). They had name badges that had colour coded stickers so you could indicate whether your willingness to meet/converse with people was high, medium, or low. There were many other things that I won't list here.I had been so stressed about the event (there were A LOT of NTs there too--a huge majority) and how I would cope with 3 days of non-stop activities.

Midway through the first day I actually burst into tears with happiness because I had felt my first taste of what the world would be like if it was built for Autistics instead of NTs. I was SO much more capable than I thought I would be. I had attended similar events before without Autism accessibility features and really struggled; in the past I've needed a lot of breaks and was overstimulated and stressed. This event was totally different. Just knowing that at any point I could say 'no thank you I don't want to talk right now' just by changing the sticker on my name badge, or escape to the Autism room for a break, was hugely liberating.

I don't tend to believe that Autism is inherently a disability; I think it is made a disability by a world built to benefit NT functioning, which in turn, disables Autistic people. So, there is nothing 'wrong' with me (or you) as such. The world is just built in such a way that disadvantages us--remove those barriers to inclusion and we're fine.

 

[UberScout]

If Autism never existed, there's a good chance that %47 of the Earth's population would never exist, because there wouldn't be anyone to fill the purpose and role that having such a unique quirk of the mind requires.

We do not need the meaning of life. We need more people to be born Autistic.

 

[Nervous Rex]

Here's a question for ya! What's the worst part of having autism? Having it or having it and not knowing you have it? There's an old saying that "knowing is half the battle." and if I had just know about it at a younger age. Things would've been a lot better because I would've known how to manage it better. Yes, there are times that I wish it would just go away all together. But just being aware of it would've/did help a lot.

Not knowing was much worse. When I couldn't focus at work or deal with people, I'd wonder if I was just being a prima donna or acting spoiled. Everyone else can pull it together - why couldn't I?

It's so much of a relief to know the reason why. I still struggle to focus and work on things I don't want to, I still struggle to deal when I'm too tired. But now I know how to fight that battle at the source - get enough rest, force myself to do enough of the project to get myself interested, etc. Instead of swinging blindly, I can see what I'm hitting.

 

[Nervous Rex]

My serious, non-cynical answer: It's just inconceivable. I can't imagine what I'd be like without autism. It touches every part of my life and personality. Take it away from me and what's left is just the bare outline of a person.

It's responsible for my good job - my ability to solve the hard problems. It's like a free gift - ask me a hard math problem and I'll give you a blank stare and feel like I have no idea how to even start on it. Then a few seconds later, a door to the back of my mind opens and out pops a fully formed solution and I totally get it. I don't even know how it happens, but everyone thinks I'm just so smart 'cause I can do that.

I used to worry so much that because those types of problems are so easy, I've never learned to do anything hard. Now I know that other things are hard for me not because I'm lazy, but because my brain is wired differently and I don't do executive functions as well.

 

[Shamar]

Its late and I'm barely functional, so this may not come out right. See some of the philosophy of Temple Grandin, a very famous and successful autistic. Her thinking is that we need all kinds of minds to see things as many different ways as possible (neurodiverse). This way we can come up with different solutions to problems, and select the best one.

Unfortunately, the neurotypicals don't see it that way.

 

[Thinx]

Yes let's think about what if the Neurotypical majority all got an unfortunate neurotypical-only virus. Only NTs who were loved by a non NT could survive. Then, there'd be quite a lot less, and the planet would be different. BTW the ones that didn't survive all went to a beautiful place.

I think if that happened it would be quieter. There'd be agreements made between nations to ensure resources were shared equitably. No one would starve or suffer if possible to avoid it. Who wants a mansion if the price is that others die in poverty and want?

 

[Autistamatic]

If autism didn't exist there would be less inspiration in the world, less understanding of science, less outstanding art, less mind expanding literature, less technology...

We probably wouldn't know each other because there would likely be no computers and no internet, there may not even be electricity in our homes. Diseases would be rife without autistic researchers inventing vaccines and treatments, governments would cease to function without the dedicated autistic administrators that really make them work and I would not be who I am today.
People say "autism does not define me" but autism helps shape who we are. If I were not autistic I would not be ME and I don't want to be someone else. I don't want to lose the novel way I see the world that allows me understanding and focus my peers cannot dream of. I don't want to be so distracted with trying to be popular and socialising that I never get anything done. I don't want to be without the sharpened senses and eye for detail that make MY world a richer place.

I have known of my autism for 35 years. I have watched the world around me grow from knowing nothing about why I am different to having a limited, often prejudicial understanding.

I have mentioned before that I have rarely disclosed my autism in Real Life and I have slipped under the radar almost entirely. Only one NT person has identified my AS and that was a girlfriend I had already lived with for 5 years.

To NT people who don't know, I have always just been a clever guy with an odd sense of humour who doesn't like socialising much. I've been an eccentric problem solver and a walking encyclopedia. The only times autism has had a negative impact on my life has been when people have known of my AS. The knowledge changes people, alters their perception of me. They can become patronising, hostile and unreceptive. All of a sudden my ideas, insights and knowledge are ignored as the ramblings of a disabled man who doesn't understand the world properly.

Autism is not a problem in my life, it has not held me back. Bad, uneducated and intolerant attitudes to autism HAVE held me back and affected my life negatively.
I shudder to think of what an empty world this would be if autism did not exist, but I know how wonderful a place it could be with genuine understanding of how we see it through autistic eyes.

It is acceptance, understanding and inclusion that will change our lives for the better. Your social awkwardness would not disadvantage you if the people around you understood and accommodated for it. Your heightened senses would not cause you pain and frustration if there were quiet, neutral places for you to retreat to. There would be no disapproving looks or chatter behind your back if they understood why you stim.

Don't wish away your autism, work to correct the ills of a society that excludes everyone that they can label as different.

 

[Mr Allen]

If I wasn't Aspie, I'd be in a good job in the retail trade, and possibly able to drive an Automatic if not a manual, and I'd possibly be married, and have given my Brother a nephew and niece from me, like he did.

 

[Sarah S]

If I could wake up tomorrow and ALL my diagnosis were just gone I would be the happiest girl on earth as they have destroyed ANY possibilities I had in making me a normal happy life .

 

[Judge]

I've seen such questions pondered before. However in my own case, I'm inclined to answer them all in the same manner.

How does one assess themselves based on a premise they never experienced?

 

[Dillon]

If i could wake up tomorrow and AL my diagnosis were just gone i would be the happiest girl on earth as they have destroyed ANY possibilities i had in making me a normal happy life .

That makes me really sad to hear, but I would say don’t give up on yourself no matter how hard life may be. I wish I could wake up one morning and it all go away for myself but I’ve just learned lately to just roll with life and do the best I can. I know you’ll find great possibilities out there as the world in endless of them big and small, so again don’t give up on yourself.

 

[Sarah S]

That makes me really sad to hear, but I would say don’t give up on yourself no matter how hard life may be. I wish I could wake up one morning and it all go away for myself but I’ve just learned lately to just roll with life and do the best I can. I know you’ll find great possibilities out there as the world in endless of them big and small, so again don’t give up on yourself.

Oh i learnt that lesson MANY years ago Dillon hence im still fighting for what little life i have and make the best i can with what i have to work with dear . But thank you never the less (HUG )

 

[GrownupGirl]

If autism didn't exist then the human race would probably have gone extinct a long time ago because the NTs would be too busy socializing instead of going out to hunt and gather food.
And there wouldn't be any aspies to watch over the cave and guard at night because they couldn't sleep but the rest of the family did.
And it was probably because a cave aspie found raw food too disgusting that they learned how to use fire to cook it.

 

[Onna]

I think we’re here for a reason. I think we’re here to learn about ourselves and others, and to make a positive impact on society by showing them our good traits.
Which other group of people out there stereotypically have such large compassion, sensitivity and authenticity?? We just need to start being more confident, and understanding of ourselves, before we can have that positive effect. Just my opinion.

 

[Sarah S]

VERY WELL spoken indeed Onna (standing up and applaud)

 

[Fino]

Everything I excel at is because of Autism and ADHD.

So I guess without them I would be one of those people I meet every once in a while who has no skills or developed talents, has a barely discernable personality, has a menial job they tolerate, and watches hours and hours of television and movies in their free time, stopping only to "hang out" with people and eat and drink.

 

[Gracey]

When I read this question last week it really got me thinking.

I still can’t offer a point of view, not really.

My immediate reaction after reading the title was, ‘Noooo, it’s mine !’

as if I was going to wake up tomorrow and parts of my life/memory had been erased
(Because autism no longer existed - deleting huge files from my ‘storage’)

No way
Not deleting any of it

 

[inkfingers]

Hmmm. Interesting musings. I wouldn't want to NOT have autism, mainly because I like being different and if I wasn't autistic, I wouldn't be me. I know that a lot of people say, "I am not my autism," or, "Autism does not define me," but I feel that it helps to define who I am. Without my Aspergian traits, I wouldn't be me. I would be a completely different human being, someone foreign and alien. I don't want that. I want to be me.

 

[Derp]

If autism didn't exist then the human race would probably have gone extinct a long time ago because the NTs would be too busy socializing instead of going out to hunt and gather food.
And there wouldn't be any aspies to watch over the cave and guard at night because they couldn't sleep but the rest of the family did.
And it was probably because a cave aspie found raw food too disgusting that they learned how to use fire to cook it.

Are you Serious ?