Thread

1. tancop · 1789626840 · focus · HN ↗

   The part about being autistic for life is not really helpful. I personally know people who learned to "stop being autistic" from an outside POV, and they got to the point where they're not consciously masking anymore, it all comes natural. Just decided to act "normal" for a change and stuck with it.

   Of course it's not easy, not everyone can do it (like if they also have some intellectual disability) or wants to do it, but it's the right solution for a lot of people. It's not really curing autism because it's not changing your DNA but it's definitely treating the most socially disabling symptoms.

   But I think the statements all good and does what it's supposed to if it helps fight forced therapy child abuse and anti vax movements. Don't need to be perfect to make a change.

   1. wolvoleo · 1789633029 · focus · HN ↗

      That sounds too much like people saying 'just don't be depressed' to me.

      And constantly masking (whether or not it's consciously done) is taking its toll too. Because you spend a lot of 'brainpower' second-guessing yourself.

      For me it was really liberating finding people that accept me as I am so I don't have to worry all the time. And I became more successful at work when I stopped pretending to be someone I'm not.

      And I definitely don't want to 'seem normal' to not attract the ire of the anti-vaxxers anti-neurodivergent crowd. They're my enemies so they deserve no such adaptation.

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