They’re not more adaptable to change. They’re frequently baffled by us. They don’t get why we can have very deep and very specific interests in things, for example.
this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2025
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Autism
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This false binary is the problem. Everyone is on a spectrum of neuro-diversity. Some people's diversity is deemed "unacceptable" arbitrarily.
"Everyone's a little autistic!"
Everyone I know, but that's selection bias.
When you're 6'4" and trying to fit in a plane seat. Like that, but with everything.
To state the obvious: predominantly because they are unaware that their experience of the world is not universal, but in some cases simply because it inconveniences them.
But that's what bugs me a bit. Doesn't everyone experience the world in their own unique way and doesn't everyone have to adapt their unique self to society's norms to some degree?
For some people it is easier and for some people they view it as a "I had to do it so you should too."
What sort of accommodations would you like?
- not having bright as hell lights and loud music everywhere
- not being stared at like a fucking zoo animal or some kind of spectacle when I go out in public
- not being told to "get out of my comfort zone" when that 'cOmFoRt ZoNe' is actually my "not in physical or mental pain-zone"
- people not throwing the r-slur around like it has no history or meaning behind it at all
- not being expected to be up and about so fucking early
- not being treated like I'm either some innate genius or completely brainless
Just people not being inconsiderate, ableist pieces of shit in general.
Neurotypicals often feel like they're not being listened to if a person doesn't make eye-contact. I sympathise with their anxiety, but I would like them to understand that if I am forcing myself to make eye contact (or to appear like I am), that takes me so much focus that I'm less likely to be following what they're saying.
This one is more of an ADHD thing for me, but a similar one is that I would like them to understand that if I am fiddling with something with my hands, this is actually an indicator that I am listening to them (for me, tasks like crochet, embroidery or origami are things that I do to occupy my hands and the part of my brain that gets distracted).
Those are a couple of examples, but more broadly, I'd just like for neurotypical people to understand that their experiences aren't universal. Furthermore, I believe that clinging to a sense of normality is harmful because of how it flattens the variety of human experience — even if we're comparing neurotypicals to neurotypicals: "Normal" is a box that I have caused myself severe harm trying to fit in, but I see that same kind of harm being caused to neurotypicals who can contort themselves enough to force themselves into the box. Just because someone can fit in doesn't mean they will be comfortable or happy in that mould — it sometimes makes me glad that I'm autistic, because I get to explore who I am beyond that box of prescriptive normality.
Neurotypicals often feel like they're not being listened to if a person doesn't make eye-contact.
I’ve gave up with even trying this anymore, if they feel it’s rude then they can deal with me asking to repeat themselves which they never want to.
Someone could proof-read and edit forms so all the questions can be answered truthfully and they are possible to fill in.
Yes, can the single-selection multiple choices please be mutually exclusive, thank you for your attention to this matter