I know that ASD provides many disadvantages to people, but that isn't what this is about. I would like to know of any specific advantages you feel your ASD gives to you. (No need to share sensitive abilities or talents if you don't want to.)
For me, I have an EXCELLENT sense of hearing, which I fully use to my advantage. A good example of this is: When I was growing up and into my mid to late 20's I was a hunter (for sustenance and also to save money on meat). Anyways, one of my main quarries were ruffed grouse (like the one in my profile photo). Ruffed grouse are very well camouflaged, so often you never see them until they take flight. They do have one weakness if you have an excellent sense of hearing though. When they get nervous, they make a barely audible "pee pee pee pee" call. Most people can't hear it unless they are virtually on top of them. I contrarily could hear that call from at least 20 yards, they usually make that "pee pee pee pee" call before flight, so I almost always had an alert before they flew. This led me to be a very good grouse hunter. The excellent sense of hearing also benefitted me in other forms of hunting as well, but grouse are probably the best example. My excellent sense of hearing also allows me to name any known song within the first few notes as well.
Growing up in and amongst nature, I also learned how to interact and bond with animals (especially dogs) very well. Much of this was due to a bond created hunting together, but primarily I found out that if you approach and treat dogs (or any animal)with a certain kind of attitude and energy, they almost always respond well to it. I would describe it as a calm, confident, and firm approach. Never abusive or anything of the sort, but I have been known to put up my knee to a jumping dog, or roll them into a submissive position and hold them there, in the case of a dog trying to show dominance over me or especially children. The Aikdo side step/swim move also works well against the running jumpers too. I believe ASD allows me to have the correct energy naturally to deal with animals this way. Nobody taught me how to train a dog, just through pure interest and observation I learned.
I also have always been very interested in plants and can easily identify edible and medicinal plants in every location I have ever been to. Much of this information was taught to me by my grandmother, and also online research, and trial/ sometimes error.(Just a few rashes lol). Due to this, I can almost always find food or remedies for minor ailments. I am always learning more too.
I am a very good problem solver, there has rarely been a machine broken that I couldn't fix (with no training), those I couldn't fix, I repurposed. While my work may not be beautiful, it is always practical. It almost seems as though I naturally understand how things work. Part of this was due to being raised fairly poor, and not having the resources to pay someone to fix things for me, but mostly, I am purely interested in what makes things work.
I don't really want to write a book here or seem like a braggart, so I will stop with these 4 main qualities. If you feel like sharing some of yours, please do. It is often beneficial to look at the positive sides of a disorder that we can so often only see to be such a burden or challenge in our lives.
Thanks for reading.
For me, I have an EXCELLENT sense of hearing, which I fully use to my advantage. A good example of this is: When I was growing up and into my mid to late 20's I was a hunter (for sustenance and also to save money on meat). Anyways, one of my main quarries were ruffed grouse (like the one in my profile photo). Ruffed grouse are very well camouflaged, so often you never see them until they take flight. They do have one weakness if you have an excellent sense of hearing though. When they get nervous, they make a barely audible "pee pee pee pee" call. Most people can't hear it unless they are virtually on top of them. I contrarily could hear that call from at least 20 yards, they usually make that "pee pee pee pee" call before flight, so I almost always had an alert before they flew. This led me to be a very good grouse hunter. The excellent sense of hearing also benefitted me in other forms of hunting as well, but grouse are probably the best example. My excellent sense of hearing also allows me to name any known song within the first few notes as well.
Growing up in and amongst nature, I also learned how to interact and bond with animals (especially dogs) very well. Much of this was due to a bond created hunting together, but primarily I found out that if you approach and treat dogs (or any animal)with a certain kind of attitude and energy, they almost always respond well to it. I would describe it as a calm, confident, and firm approach. Never abusive or anything of the sort, but I have been known to put up my knee to a jumping dog, or roll them into a submissive position and hold them there, in the case of a dog trying to show dominance over me or especially children. The Aikdo side step/swim move also works well against the running jumpers too. I believe ASD allows me to have the correct energy naturally to deal with animals this way. Nobody taught me how to train a dog, just through pure interest and observation I learned.
I also have always been very interested in plants and can easily identify edible and medicinal plants in every location I have ever been to. Much of this information was taught to me by my grandmother, and also online research, and trial/ sometimes error.(Just a few rashes lol). Due to this, I can almost always find food or remedies for minor ailments. I am always learning more too.
I am a very good problem solver, there has rarely been a machine broken that I couldn't fix (with no training), those I couldn't fix, I repurposed. While my work may not be beautiful, it is always practical. It almost seems as though I naturally understand how things work. Part of this was due to being raised fairly poor, and not having the resources to pay someone to fix things for me, but mostly, I am purely interested in what makes things work.
I don't really want to write a book here or seem like a braggart, so I will stop with these 4 main qualities. If you feel like sharing some of yours, please do. It is often beneficial to look at the positive sides of a disorder that we can so often only see to be such a burden or challenge in our lives.
Thanks for reading.
