3 ms·

I think it’s worth looking at what different facets are part of being autistic. It might be possible to differentiate between personality characteristics that a

by mtsr 3y ago

I think it’s worth looking at what different facets are part of being autistic. It might be possible to differentiate between personality characteristics that are important to you (that you associate with your sense of self) and those that you can see as somewhat less essentially part of who you are. For example, you might have a particular way of thinking that is different from other people which is both important to you and often associated with ASD. That doesn’t feel like something likely to change qualitatively from say a diet change. On the other hand, there might be aspects like being overwhelmed by particular kinds of stimuli, that feel less personal and may feel more likely to be impacted be something like a diet change. Finally, consider that you might be holding too tightly to some aspects of who you are “right now”, to be able to see and accept how some of these things might change. I know I do sp sometimes (regardless of whether I might be on the spectrum, or not). At the very least a relatively fixed (as opposed to growth) mindset is also often associated with ASD.

go_elmo 3y ago
I agree that some parts might be fluid, especially what the term autism denotes and entails. The way I use it, it summarizes my neurological differences compared to allistics (non-autistics), not today and right now but throughout my _whole_ life. Anyone who says that autism can be cured, would therefore have to change my being fundamentally, which I personally would oppose, as it is this exact difference, that allowed me to get to points intelectualy where others were not before. If anyone wants to eradicate autism, sure, go for it, just dont expext any dirac, newton, einstein, and many others to ever get Born again. Yes, this topic releases a lot of emotions Im aware of that. Whats important to me is that being autistic means being different - not worse. "a relatively fixed mindset" sounds soo pathological. Autistics hold onto their constructs and routines, because their minds are too flexible and boundry less. I could frame that NT "rigidness" as a pathology just as well. Thanks for being that open and non black/white thinking to let that sink in and accept it because it comes from an autistic person who does know better about them than someone who is not. And Im aware of not targeting the main subject of gut bacteria here, and apologize for that. Im sure with your mental fitness youll be able to separate the two aspects and still value the insights shared, thanks!
- mtsr 3y ago
  I’m sorry if I phrased my comment in a way that offends you. I did not intend it as such and wanted instead to offer such a more fluid view of autism. Not only the definition, like you say, but also how different facets affect each person with ASD to a different extent which also changes with circumstances and throughout life in general. And if you can accept these different facets being more fluid, I’d propose that rather than curing autism (something I don’t believe in and would never champion), one might be able to moderate specific facets of ASD that people on the spectrum themselves find a hindrance by changing the microbiome. Say some kinds of stimuli-caused overwhelm. Similar to somebody changing their diet to limit hangriness or blood sugar drops. Note that at no point am I suggesting somebody with ASD needs treatment, just that they might see some improvements in their well-being if they wanted. Finally, I derailed my comment by mixing it with a well-intended comment about mindset. I mean no judgement w.r.t. a fixed mindset, just that I found it a hindrance myself and have been happier since I started working on changing it. For example being able to write down some things I may have held as axiomatic in the past (e.g. ideals or standards of behavior) and being able to consider how they may not be so fixed and deciding to change them or ignore them entirely is very liberating. Among other things it lets me view my identity as separate from my feelings and behaviors. P.S. I don’t appreciate the ad hominem at the end of your comment. Even if I unintentionally offended you don’t think I deserve that.

by mtsr 3y ago

go_elmo 3y ago

I agree that some parts might be fluid, especially what the term autism denotes and entails. The way I use it, it summarizes my neurological differences compared to allistics (non-autistics), not today and right now but throughout my _whole_ life. Anyone who says that autism can be cured, would therefore have to change my being fundamentally, which I personally would oppose, as it is this exact difference, that allowed me to get to points intelectualy where others were not before. If anyone wants to eradicate autism, sure, go for it, just dont expext any dirac, newton, einstein, and many others to ever get Born again. Yes, this topic releases a lot of emotions Im aware of that. Whats important to me is that being autistic means being different - not worse. "a relatively fixed mindset" sounds soo pathological. Autistics hold onto their constructs and routines, because their minds are too flexible and boundry less. I could frame that NT "rigidness" as a pathology just as well. Thanks for being that open and non black/white thinking to let that sink in and accept it because it comes from an autistic person who does know better about them than someone who is not. And Im aware of not targeting the main subject of gut bacteria here, and apologize for that. Im sure with your mental fitness youll be able to separate the two aspects and still value the insights shared, thanks!

mtsr 3y ago
I’m sorry if I phrased my comment in a way that offends you. I did not intend it as such and wanted instead to offer such a more fluid view of autism. Not only the definition, like you say, but also how different facets affect each person with ASD to a different extent which also changes with circumstances and throughout life in general. And if you can accept these different facets being more fluid, I’d propose that rather than curing autism (something I don’t believe in and would never champion), one might be able to moderate specific facets of ASD that people on the spectrum themselves find a hindrance by changing the microbiome. Say some kinds of stimuli-caused overwhelm. Similar to somebody changing their diet to limit hangriness or blood sugar drops. Note that at no point am I suggesting somebody with ASD needs treatment, just that they might see some improvements in their well-being if they wanted. Finally, I derailed my comment by mixing it with a well-intended comment about mindset. I mean no judgement w.r.t. a fixed mindset, just that I found it a hindrance myself and have been happier since I started working on changing it. For example being able to write down some things I may have held as axiomatic in the past (e.g. ideals or standards of behavior) and being able to consider how they may not be so fixed and deciding to change them or ignore them entirely is very liberating. Among other things it lets me view my identity as separate from my feelings and behaviors. P.S. I don’t appreciate the ad hominem at the end of your comment. Even if I unintentionally offended you don’t think I deserve that.