#mod spence

[autistic-google]

If you've grown up with a lot of internalized ableism and the whole like, "gifted" thing does telling people you're autistic ever get less weird?

Idk friend. I’m in the same boat and for the longest time I would hold on to “oh, I only have aspergers” because I thought that it made me different (better) than the “low functioning” autistics. I know, I was an asshole. But getting used to being a looked down upon part of the population is something I’ve been getting used to, being queer and latino and all. So idk if it ever gets different. I hope one day I can be more okay with myself. Just try not to worry about what other people think because you’re amazing and you’re part of a wonderful community!

-Mod Spence

[autistic-google]

Is it an autism thing to get really upset when people mispronounce words? I really hate it. I know some people can't help it. I have a speech impediment and I get that. But when people mispronounce words on purpose I can't stand it. My sister does it on purpose to annoy me and I yell when she does it.

Hi friend! That could have something to do with a need for routine or familiarity.

-Mod Spence

[autistic-google]

iiaat to not understand why people still feel bad after you apologize

Having trouble understanding social norms and implementing them is definitely an autism thing!

-mod Spence

[autistic-google]

I'm confused as to whether or not I could be autistic. I'm 19 so that's a bit late to be diagnosed. I have a lot of mental and physical health problems so I'm wondering if my symptoms may just be caused by anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD etc. Those could cover my symptoms of sensory sensitivity, difficulties with normal social interaction, intense need for stimming, hyperfixating easily, sleep problems, and difficulty relating to my peers. Growing up I had very few friends my own age. Thoughts?

Hi friend! It is never too late to be diagnosed autistic. Especially if you were poc, female, or poorer. As for the comorbid disorders, I can’t really answer that for you because it’s more personal. I have anxiety and depression and ADHD as well, so it is not impossible or even unlikely, as having an undiagnosed disability has to be a great burden on your psyche. Self-diagnosis is really only something you can decide. Good luck!

-mod Spence

[autistic-google]

Omg, I've never heard of "palilalia" before, but I've been rolling it around in my mouth for several minutes now with a smile on my face. It's such a fun word!

Hi friend! Gotta love that echolalia;)

-mod Spence

[autistic-google]

Could it be an autistic thing to find it easier to speak different languages? When I'm partially nonverbal, it's easier for me to sign or speak Welsh or French than English

Hi friend! This could certainly be an autistic thing. It sounds like a clever way to avoid going completely nonverbal!

-mod Spence

[autistic-google]

Sometimes when im laying in bed and it gets too hot or something or i just dont like my blanket ill get really mad and start throwing it and stuff, is this sensory overload/sensitivity? I also get really sensitive and irritated when im wearing certain clothes, is that sensory overload too? (Can you tag this as rg?)

Hi friend! This definitely sounds like sensory overload.

-mod Spence

[autistic-google]

What's the mods' opinions on "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time"? Good book, bad book? I heard some people talking about it before, so how does it portray autistic people, because I think the narrator is on the autism spectrum?

Hi friend! I read this book and I thought it was decent, though the ending wasn’t great. With regard to autism representation, the author is allistic writing an autistic character, and it’s pretty obvious that no autistic people were consulted about this and the boy’s autism is just used to make the book more interesting.(boo!) The character leans heavily on stereotypes, but not entirely inaccurate ones. I think that overall the main character could be an autistic person that exists in real life, but is not a good representation of the general autistic population. The blurb on the book I read included the phrase “although he is autistic, he is good at math” so fuck whoever wrote the blurb, but I didn’t think the book was terrible. It kind of depends on the person, but most autistic people I talked to are kind of uneasy about it.

-mod Spence