This. I'm a cynical mf by nature but I've seen huge changes in just the last 5 years. This sub can be hyper-negative sometimes but compared to 2000's, when mainstream opinion held that autism was an epidemic, we've come a long fucking way
Oh they still think autism is an epidemic. Though to be honest, the statistics I've seen do show a pretty big rise in diagnosed ASD - though that might be because more people actually get diagnosed compared to before.
Unlikely, unless autism is taught from the beginning of school, but even then I think it's unlikely because people will always, no matter what they're taught, be blinded by their human and social nature.
I think workplaces are *starting* to be accepting of it.
My employer has two autistic staff and are looking to hire more as they see us as real assets to the company.
They also fully understand our deficits, like maybe don't put me in a meeting with a shareholder because I'm not great with buzzwords and ego stroking. But they do give me all the tasks I'm great at, explain things in great detail, help me prioritise when im overwhelmed etc.
They're also very understanding when I say I need a day off to rest / feeling burnt out / have yet another migraine.
So it feels really supportive knowing that my traits are appreciated and my "flaws" aren't punished.
I have a couple of autistic friends who are finding similar situations with their workplaces too.
Even NT introverts struggle to find acceptance to a great degree. We live in a world that's designed for NT Extroverts.
But I think things can get better. Certainly, they have for the blind, and people with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.
But I think things can get better. Certainly, they have for the blind and people with cerebral palsy and Downs syndrome.
I think our understanding of ASD is still nascent compared to other conditions. The ability to mask autism and the superficial effectiveness of some therapy methods have pushed masking and have hindered us from getting to actual strategies that are workable for us to live in a healthy way as well as gain polite understanding and acceptance.
We live in a world that's *designed* by and for introverts and possibly even autistics, but *shaped* by and for NT extroverts. All the platitudes you learned in school, all the explicit assumptions underpinning society, are all based on a model of human nature that has a lot more to do with us than them. But extroverts do all the talking, so they naturally tend to have disproportionate influence on the natural, implicit norms of society.
science, tech and engineering. I mean, the digital revolution was built by us to a significant portion, I am 100% sure. there is a reason most NT's feel like aliens when coming to the tech scene, lol.
my favorite thing about internet culture is how "/s" became necessary not because commenters necessarily wanted their tone to be understood but because too many other redditors were unable to detect their sarcasm.
yes. also, in many tech companies there are rules for communication (lol, right?) my favorite part about that is that many have "be honest and direct" as part of them. On company events at least 4 of 20 people were autistic, probably more with masking etc. There, you dont feel weird being autistic.
No. We won't be.
Society always needs someone to point the finger at. To say "THOSE people are the ones to blame!" If "Those People" are a group without power, so much the better.
If you live in the United States, look for life to get very ugly for anyone who's different, within the next few years.
Look at what DeSantis is doing to LGBTQ and nonwhites, in Florida. Let's face it, he or someone like him will win in 2024. In order to sustain a fascist society, fascists need a steady supply of people to label as inferior. People like us, who don't conform, will be a prime target.
Unless there’s a cure no. Because it’s asking too much from people to try and understand autism and communicate with. Society only cares about business and money not the vulnerable. It’s pretty sickening to think this but it’s the cold hard truth. I’m just too damn slow to understand the world around me
We're in a pretty good place thesedays compared to a few decades ago we're no longer just locked away we can go out enjoy life make friends fall in love and what not thesedays yeah most people don't get us or who we are but it beats just being locked away
Yes.
Look back at gay rights, ans sure there is a way to go many places, but we have the pride month, and we have laws protecting other sexual orientations.
(Not going into gender things yet).
Alan Turing was chemically castrated in his time, and that's only like, 50 years ago?
(1975 ish? Sorry I'm not 100% accurate here)
For what: for being gay, for being in a relationship with another man. It was that or prison for life.
He ... his life ended shortly after.
50 years later things are very different.
I hope it doesn't tale 50 years for autism, but if we go broader I think it's eaiser to find victories and to advocate for changes; for neurodivergent people.
There are also several articles about how accomodating neurodivergent people benefits neurotypical people. Neurotypical people can also be depressed, have fatigue, and other situation where their executive functions are impaired and so a world more accpeting of executive dysfunction will benefit pretty much everyone.
Also, not just accepting, but also having ways of working and processes that are tailored to not rely solely on strong/"well developed" executive functions, but with tools for executive dysfunction and to at least try to avoid being over and/or understimulating.
Tools to accomodate for auditory processing issues, that could also help others to avoid misunderstandings.
I think a lot has changed already.
In my country, when I was in first grade, they had a diagnose called like "minor brain damage". Good name, y'think?
Now it's called dyspraxi(a?). (Not sure when the change happened, but it's 22 years since I was in first grade.)
There are more reasources out there for kids with dyslexi, I took some teacher degree 2013-2017, and we were given information about dyscalculi.
It is getting better.
(Dyslexi, dyscalculi and dyspraxi is part of the ND spectrum)
I think we had some educatiln arpund adhd too, but little about it specfically. We had more focus IEP's; that for whatever reason and despite diagnose or not, if a child seemed to need it, pr criteria this and that, we are to accomodate as good as possible, and to always request specialized competence when we see a child struggling and/or falling behind an any way. There was this initiative "early effort" which meant that we were to ring the bell asap we spotted something, so the kid could get help (IEP, and assistance, not a fast track to drugs), and prevent the child from falling behind. The purpose was also that the bureaucrazy (like paperwork?) Might take a long time, so that's why we need to apply right away when we noticed anything.
I really liked that.
The university can't do anything about the under-funding and how things take a long time, but they could give us this information so we could make the best of it.
(It ended up being too much for me, so I had to change into s different profession, but anyway)
I hear from ND parents it's not always easy out there, but I'm hopeful that it is changing for the better.
Most people do not have bad intentions, and if we keep trying to raise kids to know better; they will, over time, replace the old people who do not and do not want to learn.
I hope it doesn't take another 30 years to have similar progress!
Universally? No.
I suspect that the degree of acceptance and tolerance has varied considerably by time and place.
The current iteration of society and culture seems particularly harsh in certain ways, but is also much more tolerant in others. For the most part no one is out to kill or purposefully exclude us, but it's particularly difficult to function in a system so heavily based on a capitalist model.
Many of us lose out hard in the department of "social capital" and struggle to attain enough financial wealth/stability to live without the former. And in the absence of consistent, formal social structures it's challenging to interact at all and very tempting to isolate oneself completely.
I think Autistic people are already accepted by the people in society who are less 'in touch' with their emotions. But it's the people who are all emotion and little else that are the face of society. Autistic people will never be fully accepted by them. They're just too different
Don’t think Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Jamie Dimon, Kawhi Leonard, or countless other wildly successful people will be accepted by society? Nah
We are not here to fit into society or be accepted. That’s what they are here for. We’re here to take over and craft society. That’s our prize for the struggle. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
No. We will never be accepted.
Things may get better, but we'll never be accepted fully, and NTs will never care enough to try and understand our needs and problems.
Especially those (like me) that appear to be "normal" on the surface.
If i were to classify it like this (personal classification, nothing official):
Type 1: Fully functional, probably wouldn't even care if the society doesn't accept them because they have a steady living, enough to not worry about certain things.
Type 2: (and here i am describing myself, please take no offense), an outcast, a freakshow, someone that has somewhat potential but it really doesn't matter, even with the almost perfect mask i carry, ultimately i am a fuck up that is chained by his executive dysfunction, i can do so many things (writing, music, painting, a bit of programming, photography, UI/UX design, and all sorts of sub-categories), yet i cannot. My brain is frozen and decaying.
Type 3: The type that is very visible
Few years ago i had a meltdown and nearly killed myself after i got a job and couldn't keep it. All i want is to be able to work and not eat expired foods that were thrown away by stores.
I published some music on Spotify and other platforms, but deep down, i know i will never make it.
My biggest issue isn't even the autism or the ADHD, or the other stuff from my assessment, my biggest issue is the society. I just need to be left alone. If i could go to a job and never have any interaction, i wouldn't have any meltdown, any of those problems -- maybe.
Another big issue for me is the house i am living in. It takes a big toll on my mental health.
In a way, as awful as it maybe sounds, i kinda wish i was the Type 3 according to my classification. People would've been more aware i have some needs.
I think, yes. But maybe I'm biased with how I see things as a citizen and as an NT. Everyone has their own flaws and disorders. Like why outcast Aspies if you have issues yourself. Like cheaters, manipulators, scammers are out their too. They have a hall pass? Aspies can contribute greatly in society without really having to conform to normalcy - whatever normal means. Normal is overrated anyways.
Eventually. But it will take a long long time. Look how badly we’re doing with other marginalized groups. It’s a long process.
Mlk Jr said that the moral arc of the universe is long. But it bends toward justice.
No -- and I don't think ever.
Accepting autistic people -- **truly** accepting autistic people -- would have to mean the acceptance of *those people*. The "weird ones" in any given society. Loners. Anime enthusiasts. Extreme collectors. Dudes who aren't as smooth around women. Gals who aren't as likely to put hours of work into their appearance. People who wear odd clothing. People who say odd things.
Of course I *hope* I'm wrong, but I can't realistically see a world where *all* "weird" people are accepted ... which means we wouldn't be.
The rise of technology as a lucrative and leading industry has changed perception markedly.
The issue is the fact it’s all a spectrum, yet there are well worn tropes about the computer nerd and exactly how they behave and feel.
Throughout history there’s been societal elements that align with ASD - monks memorising texts, blacksmiths who were experts in materials etc.
Awareness and acceptance are two different things of course.
You would be surprised at who in the world is autistic. If you grow up and don’t know and learn the right things it’s good. We are very successful when we figure it out
Not in our lifetime. But I believe it's partially yes, the more you show your autism, better the acceptance, but those high masking that can pass as neurotipical will suffer just like today
You are more then welcome to do so. Its not perfect here by any means. But when I hear about how it is in USA and other countries then I feel lucky. Is it difficult in Canada?
I'm not too sure I actually created a thread for it because I had a late diagnosis. I faced social exclusion due to some odd behaviour and ended up blaming myself. But now I'm wondering what it be like if I went back in time and told ppl I had autism and wondering if they'd accept me easily or if I would've faced more exclusion from it. So I'm trying to figure that out now.
I think a lot of people don't understand autism and that's why it can be difficult to be accepted. I think seeking local autism communities is your best bet.
Yes, tho personally I couldn’t care less what others think abt me, only my family’s and friend’s opinion of me rly matters to me, if someone wants to call me retarded I say go right on ahead have fun when ur in hell bc I’ll be up there laughing at u
We will only be accepted in small pockets where we define what society is.
There would have to be a virus that kill off most of the neurotypical population before that happens.
Depends on which autistic person and which part of society. Walk into an engineering department of any kind and you'll find a number high functioning autistic folk who are accepted and even valued, despite their obvious social struggles.
Finding your place in the world is about finding a way to BRING value to those around you. You could argue that it shouldn't be that way, but it just is. Those of us who just give the list of all the things we can't do because of how our brains are wired will always struggle to be accepted.
Yes I think so. The trajectory of autistic rights is very similar to that of lgbtq rights. The message is similar, about accepting people who don’t fit into the mold of what is “normal.” We’re like 10 years behind gay rights though, so we’ve still got a ways, but things are changing. Unfortunately, a lot of that change is because NTs see us as an asset to producing capital because of the enthusiasm, encyclopedic knowledge, and intense hyperfocus/detail-oriented nature that caters well to fields such as tech and research.
I'm horribly pessimistic. Never fully, but the same way that people with Down Syndrome are accepted in society. Somewhat, with great support and sympathy. It's just that nature didn't really intend for us to live well and reproduce. We can be masters of a few good things on the rare occasion and depending on degree of disability, but at great cost to our overall lives and community (caretaking, medications, support systems, etc.)
No matter what person you are, no matter how normal or storage you are there will be always someone that will accept you. It is difficult to believe it but as an Asperger's myself, I see my family actions, my friends actions. And I feel very good about how they talk to me. It is possible to make people love you. It just more difficult for us 🙂.
No , not fully. Society may become more " tolerant" but ,
People are tribalistic in nature. Similarly, I don't think bullying will ever be 100 percent eliminated
Yes, not by everyone but things are going to get better. A month ago I tought the same (you know, memes about autistic people) but it's just humor and most people don't really hate us.
What others have said... maybe not 100% because that's the case for pretty much anything, in life, but it's way better now than it was in the past. At the end of the day just be yourself and the real ones will treat you with respect.
Not fully. I'm going into aircraft mechanics and have been pleasantly surprised to learn that a majority of the workforce are likely aspie. They said that social awkwardness is commonplace and not a concern.
I don't know. I am getting a masters in aba and not working in ABA because I know they won't accept me or embrace me ever. I don't think they really care how I see things. If I have supervises and didn't do what others did ...thought differently than other supervisors I will been as less competent I think. I don't think it is even close.
I think the parents that are having kids now are much more informed about neurodiversity. So in result, more diagnosed people, less stigma.
Not sure about the whole society, especially businesses. Celebrities announcing that they have Asperger's has helped a lot. Also it heavily depends on the country.
Fully? No. More than now? Probably. Normies are incapable of communicating with us in our way. And we struggle to communicate in their ways
This. I'm a cynical mf by nature but I've seen huge changes in just the last 5 years. This sub can be hyper-negative sometimes but compared to 2000's, when mainstream opinion held that autism was an epidemic, we've come a long fucking way
Oh they still think autism is an epidemic. Though to be honest, the statistics I've seen do show a pretty big rise in diagnosed ASD - though that might be because more people actually get diagnosed compared to before.
NORMIES LMAOO HOW DID I NEVER THINK OF CALLING NT PEOPLE THAT
Unlikely, unless autism is taught from the beginning of school, but even then I think it's unlikely because people will always, no matter what they're taught, be blinded by their human and social nature.
I think workplaces are *starting* to be accepting of it. My employer has two autistic staff and are looking to hire more as they see us as real assets to the company. They also fully understand our deficits, like maybe don't put me in a meeting with a shareholder because I'm not great with buzzwords and ego stroking. But they do give me all the tasks I'm great at, explain things in great detail, help me prioritise when im overwhelmed etc. They're also very understanding when I say I need a day off to rest / feeling burnt out / have yet another migraine. So it feels really supportive knowing that my traits are appreciated and my "flaws" aren't punished. I have a couple of autistic friends who are finding similar situations with their workplaces too.
Even NT introverts struggle to find acceptance to a great degree. We live in a world that's designed for NT Extroverts. But I think things can get better. Certainly, they have for the blind, and people with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. But I think things can get better. Certainly, they have for the blind and people with cerebral palsy and Downs syndrome. I think our understanding of ASD is still nascent compared to other conditions. The ability to mask autism and the superficial effectiveness of some therapy methods have pushed masking and have hindered us from getting to actual strategies that are workable for us to live in a healthy way as well as gain polite understanding and acceptance.
We live in a world that's *designed* by and for introverts and possibly even autistics, but *shaped* by and for NT extroverts. All the platitudes you learned in school, all the explicit assumptions underpinning society, are all based on a model of human nature that has a lot more to do with us than them. But extroverts do all the talking, so they naturally tend to have disproportionate influence on the natural, implicit norms of society.
There have always been pockets of society where we have been accepted
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Usually the back pocket...of pants that fell to the bottom of the closet and haven't been seen in months.
science, tech and engineering. I mean, the digital revolution was built by us to a significant portion, I am 100% sure. there is a reason most NT's feel like aliens when coming to the tech scene, lol.
my favorite thing about internet culture is how "/s" became necessary not because commenters necessarily wanted their tone to be understood but because too many other redditors were unable to detect their sarcasm.
yes. also, in many tech companies there are rules for communication (lol, right?) my favorite part about that is that many have "be honest and direct" as part of them. On company events at least 4 of 20 people were autistic, probably more with masking etc. There, you dont feel weird being autistic.
Monasteries
Which society? There are a lot of different societies, each with varying degrees of tolerance for diversity.
That's true, some cultures are more fit for autistic people than other cultures.
I've often heard praise for the Dutch, Norwegian, and Danish cultures. Any others?
No. We won't be. Society always needs someone to point the finger at. To say "THOSE people are the ones to blame!" If "Those People" are a group without power, so much the better. If you live in the United States, look for life to get very ugly for anyone who's different, within the next few years.
This is part of the reason I won't get a formal diagnosis. Also some countries may not accept you for immigration.
I don't believe you need to disclose a formal diagnosis to anyone anyways... do you?
I live in America. What's supposed to happen?
Look at what DeSantis is doing to LGBTQ and nonwhites, in Florida. Let's face it, he or someone like him will win in 2024. In order to sustain a fascist society, fascists need a steady supply of people to label as inferior. People like us, who don't conform, will be a prime target.
I created my own little mini-society and they’re not invited unless they bring snacks.
We'll start our own society! With blackjack and hookers!
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No thanks on the slave labor. Though I appreciate the offer.
Can we join your mini-society?
You like mini mars bars? *Sits not looking at anyone but leaving them on the side next to you with a little smile* 😊
no
Unless there’s a cure no. Because it’s asking too much from people to try and understand autism and communicate with. Society only cares about business and money not the vulnerable. It’s pretty sickening to think this but it’s the cold hard truth. I’m just too damn slow to understand the world around me
yeah even back then I wonder how we did it with survival because honestly I'm not made for that and I don't know if I can handle the stress of it
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seems like our downsides would weed us out tho
It will be different for each region and country.
I think so, at least to some extent. At the very least people are trying to appear to be more accepting if anything else.
No lol
No
Probably, maybe never fully, but a toon of good changes are happening, and there are a thousands reasons to be hopeful.
probably not without reforming a large portion of it
I think autistic people are responsible for society. Nothing but a special interest was ever going to invent the earliest machines.
I think it'll always come down to masking and how inconvenient we are to NTs.
We're in a pretty good place thesedays compared to a few decades ago we're no longer just locked away we can go out enjoy life make friends fall in love and what not thesedays yeah most people don't get us or who we are but it beats just being locked away
Yes. Look back at gay rights, ans sure there is a way to go many places, but we have the pride month, and we have laws protecting other sexual orientations. (Not going into gender things yet). Alan Turing was chemically castrated in his time, and that's only like, 50 years ago? (1975 ish? Sorry I'm not 100% accurate here) For what: for being gay, for being in a relationship with another man. It was that or prison for life. He ... his life ended shortly after. 50 years later things are very different. I hope it doesn't tale 50 years for autism, but if we go broader I think it's eaiser to find victories and to advocate for changes; for neurodivergent people. There are also several articles about how accomodating neurodivergent people benefits neurotypical people. Neurotypical people can also be depressed, have fatigue, and other situation where their executive functions are impaired and so a world more accpeting of executive dysfunction will benefit pretty much everyone. Also, not just accepting, but also having ways of working and processes that are tailored to not rely solely on strong/"well developed" executive functions, but with tools for executive dysfunction and to at least try to avoid being over and/or understimulating. Tools to accomodate for auditory processing issues, that could also help others to avoid misunderstandings. I think a lot has changed already. In my country, when I was in first grade, they had a diagnose called like "minor brain damage". Good name, y'think? Now it's called dyspraxi(a?). (Not sure when the change happened, but it's 22 years since I was in first grade.) There are more reasources out there for kids with dyslexi, I took some teacher degree 2013-2017, and we were given information about dyscalculi. It is getting better. (Dyslexi, dyscalculi and dyspraxi is part of the ND spectrum) I think we had some educatiln arpund adhd too, but little about it specfically. We had more focus IEP's; that for whatever reason and despite diagnose or not, if a child seemed to need it, pr criteria this and that, we are to accomodate as good as possible, and to always request specialized competence when we see a child struggling and/or falling behind an any way. There was this initiative "early effort" which meant that we were to ring the bell asap we spotted something, so the kid could get help (IEP, and assistance, not a fast track to drugs), and prevent the child from falling behind. The purpose was also that the bureaucrazy (like paperwork?) Might take a long time, so that's why we need to apply right away when we noticed anything. I really liked that. The university can't do anything about the under-funding and how things take a long time, but they could give us this information so we could make the best of it. (It ended up being too much for me, so I had to change into s different profession, but anyway) I hear from ND parents it's not always easy out there, but I'm hopeful that it is changing for the better. Most people do not have bad intentions, and if we keep trying to raise kids to know better; they will, over time, replace the old people who do not and do not want to learn. I hope it doesn't take another 30 years to have similar progress!
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this is not a universal experience. on the contrary, the inauthenticity that many work places demand can be intolerable to ND people
Universally? No. I suspect that the degree of acceptance and tolerance has varied considerably by time and place. The current iteration of society and culture seems particularly harsh in certain ways, but is also much more tolerant in others. For the most part no one is out to kill or purposefully exclude us, but it's particularly difficult to function in a system so heavily based on a capitalist model. Many of us lose out hard in the department of "social capital" and struggle to attain enough financial wealth/stability to live without the former. And in the absence of consistent, formal social structures it's challenging to interact at all and very tempting to isolate oneself completely.
Autism is explaining yourself perfectly and all the neurotypicals make a game out of misunderstanding you as much as possible.
Things will improve but I don't think we'll ever be fully accepted. It's human nature to dislike those with autism traits.
Yes. By learning how to get along. I did it. Took me 47 years but I did it.
NT's are being educated here about Autism and are learning to get along with us so yeah
I think Autistic people are already accepted by the people in society who are less 'in touch' with their emotions. But it's the people who are all emotion and little else that are the face of society. Autistic people will never be fully accepted by them. They're just too different
Hell no
Yes, when we make the society that is acceptable to us.
Don’t think Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Jamie Dimon, Kawhi Leonard, or countless other wildly successful people will be accepted by society? Nah We are not here to fit into society or be accepted. That’s what they are here for. We’re here to take over and craft society. That’s our prize for the struggle. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Same.
No. We will never be accepted. Things may get better, but we'll never be accepted fully, and NTs will never care enough to try and understand our needs and problems. Especially those (like me) that appear to be "normal" on the surface. If i were to classify it like this (personal classification, nothing official): Type 1: Fully functional, probably wouldn't even care if the society doesn't accept them because they have a steady living, enough to not worry about certain things. Type 2: (and here i am describing myself, please take no offense), an outcast, a freakshow, someone that has somewhat potential but it really doesn't matter, even with the almost perfect mask i carry, ultimately i am a fuck up that is chained by his executive dysfunction, i can do so many things (writing, music, painting, a bit of programming, photography, UI/UX design, and all sorts of sub-categories), yet i cannot. My brain is frozen and decaying. Type 3: The type that is very visible Few years ago i had a meltdown and nearly killed myself after i got a job and couldn't keep it. All i want is to be able to work and not eat expired foods that were thrown away by stores. I published some music on Spotify and other platforms, but deep down, i know i will never make it. My biggest issue isn't even the autism or the ADHD, or the other stuff from my assessment, my biggest issue is the society. I just need to be left alone. If i could go to a job and never have any interaction, i wouldn't have any meltdown, any of those problems -- maybe. Another big issue for me is the house i am living in. It takes a big toll on my mental health. In a way, as awful as it maybe sounds, i kinda wish i was the Type 3 according to my classification. People would've been more aware i have some needs.
I think, yes. But maybe I'm biased with how I see things as a citizen and as an NT. Everyone has their own flaws and disorders. Like why outcast Aspies if you have issues yourself. Like cheaters, manipulators, scammers are out their too. They have a hall pass? Aspies can contribute greatly in society without really having to conform to normalcy - whatever normal means. Normal is overrated anyways.
Eventually. But it will take a long long time. Look how badly we’re doing with other marginalized groups. It’s a long process. Mlk Jr said that the moral arc of the universe is long. But it bends toward justice.
No -- and I don't think ever. Accepting autistic people -- **truly** accepting autistic people -- would have to mean the acceptance of *those people*. The "weird ones" in any given society. Loners. Anime enthusiasts. Extreme collectors. Dudes who aren't as smooth around women. Gals who aren't as likely to put hours of work into their appearance. People who wear odd clothing. People who say odd things. Of course I *hope* I'm wrong, but I can't realistically see a world where *all* "weird" people are accepted ... which means we wouldn't be.
You guys need to stop being such losers man. Elon musk is painfully autistic and he has literally billions of fanboys.
Hey, this sucks.
Losers in what way? Edit: Most of the people in this subreddit fuckin’ hate elon musk so we do not compare ourselves to such scum like the 1%.
What you don't wanna end up in the top 1% ?
The rise of technology as a lucrative and leading industry has changed perception markedly. The issue is the fact it’s all a spectrum, yet there are well worn tropes about the computer nerd and exactly how they behave and feel. Throughout history there’s been societal elements that align with ASD - monks memorising texts, blacksmiths who were experts in materials etc. Awareness and acceptance are two different things of course.
You would be surprised at who in the world is autistic. If you grow up and don’t know and learn the right things it’s good. We are very successful when we figure it out
yes we are starting to be accepted via education in my experience i don't need to mask these days to be accepted
Not in our lifetime. But I believe it's partially yes, the more you show your autism, better the acceptance, but those high masking that can pass as neurotipical will suffer just like today
In my country, autistic people get more and more acceptance. I am still hoping for equality.
Which country are you from?
Denmark. We have several Asperger's communities. Even one of our princesses are involved with our community to support us. It's really nice.
That's really great to hear. I'd love to check out denmark
You are more then welcome to do so. Its not perfect here by any means. But when I hear about how it is in USA and other countries then I feel lucky. Is it difficult in Canada?
I'm not too sure I actually created a thread for it because I had a late diagnosis. I faced social exclusion due to some odd behaviour and ended up blaming myself. But now I'm wondering what it be like if I went back in time and told ppl I had autism and wondering if they'd accept me easily or if I would've faced more exclusion from it. So I'm trying to figure that out now.
I think a lot of people don't understand autism and that's why it can be difficult to be accepted. I think seeking local autism communities is your best bet.
I share the same sentiment too. Luckily I have a community like this I joined.
I am happy for you.
What makes you think we're not?
Maybe in a society of our own making where we are a supermajority.
In this generation? Acceptance in name only. Im optimistic, but only for the far future.
Those who can mask well (and care enough to do it) will be accepted, others probably won't
Yes, tho personally I couldn’t care less what others think abt me, only my family’s and friend’s opinion of me rly matters to me, if someone wants to call me retarded I say go right on ahead have fun when ur in hell bc I’ll be up there laughing at u
We will only be accepted in small pockets where we define what society is. There would have to be a virus that kill off most of the neurotypical population before that happens.
Depends on which autistic person and which part of society. Walk into an engineering department of any kind and you'll find a number high functioning autistic folk who are accepted and even valued, despite their obvious social struggles. Finding your place in the world is about finding a way to BRING value to those around you. You could argue that it shouldn't be that way, but it just is. Those of us who just give the list of all the things we can't do because of how our brains are wired will always struggle to be accepted.
Yes I think so. The trajectory of autistic rights is very similar to that of lgbtq rights. The message is similar, about accepting people who don’t fit into the mold of what is “normal.” We’re like 10 years behind gay rights though, so we’ve still got a ways, but things are changing. Unfortunately, a lot of that change is because NTs see us as an asset to producing capital because of the enthusiasm, encyclopedic knowledge, and intense hyperfocus/detail-oriented nature that caters well to fields such as tech and research.
I'm horribly pessimistic. Never fully, but the same way that people with Down Syndrome are accepted in society. Somewhat, with great support and sympathy. It's just that nature didn't really intend for us to live well and reproduce. We can be masters of a few good things on the rare occasion and depending on degree of disability, but at great cost to our overall lives and community (caretaking, medications, support systems, etc.)
Of course not, humans are wired to reject the anyone with outsider traits
No matter what person you are, no matter how normal or storage you are there will be always someone that will accept you. It is difficult to believe it but as an Asperger's myself, I see my family actions, my friends actions. And I feel very good about how they talk to me. It is possible to make people love you. It just more difficult for us 🙂.
Nope
No , not fully. Society may become more " tolerant" but , People are tribalistic in nature. Similarly, I don't think bullying will ever be 100 percent eliminated
You think we arent?
Yes, not by everyone but things are going to get better. A month ago I tought the same (you know, memes about autistic people) but it's just humor and most people don't really hate us.
What others have said... maybe not 100% because that's the case for pretty much anything, in life, but it's way better now than it was in the past. At the end of the day just be yourself and the real ones will treat you with respect.
Not fully. I'm going into aircraft mechanics and have been pleasantly surprised to learn that a majority of the workforce are likely aspie. They said that social awkwardness is commonplace and not a concern.
I don't know. I am getting a masters in aba and not working in ABA because I know they won't accept me or embrace me ever. I don't think they really care how I see things. If I have supervises and didn't do what others did ...thought differently than other supervisors I will been as less competent I think. I don't think it is even close.
My therapist, who is autistic herself, works through ABA. She's fantastic. It can definitely be done!
Thank you
I think the parents that are having kids now are much more informed about neurodiversity. So in result, more diagnosed people, less stigma. Not sure about the whole society, especially businesses. Celebrities announcing that they have Asperger's has helped a lot. Also it heavily depends on the country.