I used to go weeks without saying a word to anyone, have constant meltdowns and got repeatedly hospitalised because I wouldn’t go to the bathroom because I couldn’t stand the sensation of passing a bowl movement. And I’m still considered “high functioning”
Spend time with my 5yo non verbal son and you’ll quickly realize it can fully be a disability. His teachers just told us he’s the smartest in his class yet he can’t speak, write, do math, use the bathroom on his own, and will elope into dangerous situations he can’t get out of without help.
I am high functioning. I’m one of those that people like to point to and say it’s a superpower. I have a successful career as a network engineer because of my technical mind. I’m generally funny and can make people laugh. I’ve been happily married for 25 years. I’m not even bad looking.
I cannot drive without sunglasses. Light sensitivity means my eyes will tear up and force themselves closed in bright sun light. I wear flanged earbuds because I have auditory issues so loud sounds are painful and I can’t filter out background noise so in even slightly crowded spaces I become virtually deaf. I have an extremely sensitive gag reflex and have thrown up while brushing my teeth enough to a point where I will usually just power through and finish brushing my teeth. I have severe IBS-D and have spent more time in the bathroom than anyone should (smartphones became a life saver when they came along.). I have a kidney transplant and spent three years on dialysis because I have an autoimmune disorder called IGA nephropathy. I am left handed.
It’s not always what people view as the “main” issue, so much as all of the co-morbidities that go along with the issue.
some people might walk perfectly normal but it starts to hurt after 5 min and they can’t lift too much.
some might have a limp.
some might need a cane.
some might need a wheelchair but can still walk a few feet.
some might wheelchair and not be able to walk.
some might not a leg
some might not have either legs
No matter what it is, it’s still a disability, just are some are more of a struggle than others.
Autism has a spectrum too, the problem is somewhere in the brain so we can’t see it like we can see a cane or missing leg.
Things like asthma or color blindness are disabilities too, but we can’t see those either.
I think what they’re trying to point out that ppl with autism get really good and other, non normal, things. So it’s a negative in some ways but positive in others
like it’s still a disability, but like there’s nuance in it
Autism spectrum disorder can present in a really wide variety of ways. Sometimes it’s severely disabling, sometimes it’s a mixed bag of strengths, weaknesses and quirks.
If they’re up for it, put them in an improv class for kids with autism, this helps immensely. You could reach out to Giant Steps or Second City. I might be slightly biased because I teach improv but it’s a good way for kids on the spectrum to practice social situations and to learn how to deal with sudden changes.
I’m hesitant to call it a disability, but it certainly is a somethingability.
I used to go weeks without saying a word to anyone, have constant meltdowns and got repeatedly hospitalised because I wouldn’t go to the bathroom because I couldn’t stand the sensation of passing a bowl movement. And I’m still considered “high functioning”
it’s a neurodivergence, literally being weird differently
sometimes it’s mostly good, sometimes it’s mostly bad, sometimes it’s balanced
Spend time with my 5yo non verbal son and you’ll quickly realize it can fully be a disability. His teachers just told us he’s the smartest in his class yet he can’t speak, write, do math, use the bathroom on his own, and will elope into dangerous situations he can’t get out of without help.
I am high functioning. I’m one of those that people like to point to and say it’s a superpower. I have a successful career as a network engineer because of my technical mind. I’m generally funny and can make people laugh. I’ve been happily married for 25 years. I’m not even bad looking.
I cannot drive without sunglasses. Light sensitivity means my eyes will tear up and force themselves closed in bright sun light. I wear flanged earbuds because I have auditory issues so loud sounds are painful and I can’t filter out background noise so in even slightly crowded spaces I become virtually deaf. I have an extremely sensitive gag reflex and have thrown up while brushing my teeth enough to a point where I will usually just power through and finish brushing my teeth. I have severe IBS-D and have spent more time in the bathroom than anyone should (smartphones became a life saver when they came along.). I have a kidney transplant and spent three years on dialysis because I have an autoimmune disorder called IGA nephropathy. I am left handed.
It’s not always what people view as the “main” issue, so much as all of the co-morbidities that go along with the issue.
Is this the least or the most of your concerns given how you threw that fact in? /genq
That is just to be funny.
I guess you’re left footed too!
when my disability makes me unable to do something other people can do easily
When i see people easily do the things which i cannot because of my disability.
When i see other people struggle with something that comes easily to me because of the same disability
Likes other says it’s a spectrum.
Think about how a leg issue can be different;
No matter what it is, it’s still a disability, just are some are more of a struggle than others.
Autism has a spectrum too, the problem is somewhere in the brain so we can’t see it like we can see a cane or missing leg. Things like asthma or color blindness are disabilities too, but we can’t see those either.
I think what they’re trying to point out that ppl with autism get really good and other, non normal, things. So it’s a negative in some ways but positive in others
like it’s still a disability, but like there’s nuance in it
Autism spectrum disorder can present in a really wide variety of ways. Sometimes it’s severely disabling, sometimes it’s a mixed bag of strengths, weaknesses and quirks.
For my kiddos it is a disability. 😕 They have amazing talents, but he world just isn’t built for them.
If they’re up for it, put them in an improv class for kids with autism, this helps immensely. You could reach out to Giant Steps or Second City. I might be slightly biased because I teach improv but it’s a good way for kids on the spectrum to practice social situations and to learn how to deal with sudden changes.
That sounds really cool
Honestly it does, I’ve seen kids build real confidence in class.
With social behaviour under control, it’s a superpower in my line of work.