5 ms·
I remember as late as 2010 or so watching a documentary on Temple Garandin back when I thought of autism as a serious impairment being kind of fascinated how su
by porknubbins 4y ago
I remember as late as 2010 or so watching a documentary on Temple Garandin back when I thought of autism as a serious impairment being kind of fascinated how successful she was despite the condition. Then the phrase “on the spectrum” came out and half of silicon valley claims to have it, as if not being super outgoing or occasionally awkward makes one neurodivergent. I even kicked around the idea I might have it as I enjoy building circuit boards and am not great at certain types of emoting, but have zero sensory issues so am probably just normal nerdy.
- seba_dos1 4y agoThere's a lot more reasons to diagnose autism than having sensory issues, but enjoying building circuit boards is not one of them.
- to1y 4y agoThat's the problem. There is no clear definition of autism. It seems you can be slightly socially averse or have any obsession(hobby.)
- seba_dos1 4y agoBeing slightly socially averse or having a hobby are not signs of autism either. During the screening, you fill a questionnaire with dozens of questions on various matters and only coexistence of many factors may lead to diagnosis. (that said, being incredibly annoyed at vagueness of these questions is kinda a hint already)
- porknubbins 4y agoI guess enjoy is not quite right. I find following traces of a board and trying to reverse engineer its function well enough to fix it is strangely calming. Also have been known to read microcontroller datasheets like novels.
- seba_dos1 4y agoStill, while there sure are patterns in what autistic people may find calming and interesting, being autistic in non-autistic society has an imprint on most aspects of one's life. If considering the thought "I may be autistic" doesn't make you go "that would explain so many things I've been confused about in my life!", you're probably not.