this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2026
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Autism

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I dont mean the experience of autism being awesome, its often in my experience, absolutely fucking terrible. What I mean is that the word autism itself that explains me and thats awesome. It makes it so much easier to accept myself.

Even better, there are communties around autism (as you can see lol) so I dont feel so alone. I can learn from other people how to cope that actually are similar to me.

My friends often joke about autistic experiences/observatiobs (a few of us are autistic), and while perhaps thats something to be careful about, I feel as though I just dont need to worry about being weird around them. They understand that I may say odd things or stutter, or whatever else. The knowledge of the autistic experience aids with this. (although not required, since empathy and paitence are things).

it feels as though the word autism washes away all the times ive been called weird or a freak, called a sook or whatever else. I know I should improve myself despite my limitations, but knowing the limitations are there and therefore not to be so hard on myself is so relieving.

The thought of this word never being in my life and I just wonder what the hell is wrong with me is so damn lonely. I guess I did experience that throughout my childhood, and it did indeed feel terrible.

Anyway, midnight rant over.

Hope you all have a wonderful day/night.

-Minty

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[–] Strider@lemmy.world 12 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

It helps but I provide a different perspective. Being an autist is awesome. The issue that makes it hard is other people, sometimes intolerant (sometimes their fault sometimes not). As Jac den Houting put it: I am not disabled, I am being disabled.

Autism in itself is something I can be proud and happy of. It's just different from NT.

The washing away is done e.g. by the awareness of the double empathy problem. If it were only autists, we wouldn't have this issue.

[–] minty@aussie.zone 5 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I can see what you mean. I suppose I have difficulty reconciling with the emotional pain of social exclusion.

But your right, it is awesome. I wouldnt want to be born a different way (neurotypical), because that wouldnt be me.

[–] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago

I'd like to see the reality in which i was that.
Then I'd decide which reality I'd prefer

[–] Strider@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Exactly. If there were such a thing as a 'cure' I wouldn't want it. Actually one of the fears of therapy was me not being me anymore. That was before I found out, so I'm safe.