Living with Autism: Insights from an Autistic Perspective

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. Those with autism often have a unique way of experiencing life, with both challenges and strengths that set them apart. In this article, we delve into the personal experiences of an autistic individual to shed light on their life with autism, focusing on the aspects they find most and least enjoyable.

What is It Like to be Autistic?

For many autistic individuals, living with autism comes with a mix of both blessings and trials. One defining feature is a heightened sense of logic and processing speed, which can be both a strength and a source of frustration when navigating social situations or sensory environments. Here, we explore some of the key aspects of living with autism from the perspective of someone with the condition.

Liking It: Praised for Intelligence and Logical Thinking

Many autistic individuals find that they are perceived as smarter and more logical than their peers. This can be rewarding, as it often translates to a sharper intellect and a more analytical approach to problem-solving. They may feel an innate understanding and grasp of complex concepts that others struggle with. This trait can be deeply fulfilling, as they can confidently engage in conversations and discussions that many find challenging.

Disliking It: Misunderstanding and Stereotyping

However, the flip side of this experience can be the perception of dumbness. People may call those with autism "dumb" or incapable of understanding complex ideas. This can lead to frustration and a sense of being misunderstood. The autistic individual explains, I can tell that I'm a bit smarter and much more logical than a lot of people I have met, even adults and young folks here. But people hate me and call me dumb for it, but they can just deal with it. This highlights the pervasive stigma and misunderstanding that can accompany the autism diagnosis.

Sensory Overload: An Intense Experience

A significant challenge for many autistic individuals is dealing with sensory overloads. Overstimulation can lead to a range of uncomfortable and overwhelming sensations. For example, when overstimulated and someone is speaking slowly, it becomes almost impossible to handle both simultaneously. The individual may experience a crawling sensation on their skin due to the intense sensory input. They emphasize, I tend to get REALLY frustrated when I am overstimulated AND someone is speaking slowly. I cannot deal with both at the same time. I feel guilty about it but my skin feels like it is crawling; it is an actual sensation. This phenomenon underscores the need for accommodations and understanding in both personal and professional settings.

The Highs and Lows of Sensory Experiences

The sensory experiences of an autistic individual can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. They describe the sensation as, My favorite part is how I feel things with my entire being. It’s like I’m flying or dying depends on the stimuli. This vivid description poignantly captures the profound and sometimes stark contrast in their experiences. Conversely, sensory overloads can be deeply distressing and can leave them feeling disconnected from themselves and their environment. The individual notes, My least favorite part are the sensory overloads. It’s like I’m a whole different person afterwards. This highlights the need for support and strategies to manage these intense experiences.

Focus and Learning: A Superpower

The ability to focus intensely on tasks is one of the most cherished aspects of being autistic. This concentrated focus enables them to delve deeply into subjects, learn extensively, and achieve remarkable outcomes. They share that My most favorite thing about being autistic is my ability to focus on a task or subject to an unusually high degree. Because of that, I get to experience the thrill of diving deeply into a subject and learning everything I possibly can about it. I can also devote long hours to learning a new skill or working on a project without the need to break it up with another side thing. This strength can be leveraged in various fields, from academia to professional endeavors.

Challenges in Society: Underestimation and Overprotection

Despite the many strengths associated with autism, there is a significant challenge in societal perceptions and interactions. Many autistic individuals feel constantly underestimated, infantilized, and gatekept from fully utilizing their abilities. They face persistent stereotypes that lead to underestimation and a perceived inability to handle complex tasks. This limits their opportunities and hampers their ability to make meaningful contributions. The individual emphasizes, Being constantly underestimated and infantilized by people because of my condition is frustrating and depressing. There is so much more I can handle and do. Being gatekept away from being able to do those things and use my abilities to contribute and make the world a better place just because of my social awkwardness or a perception that my sensory sensitivities will make me too ‘high maintenance’ is demoralizing. These experiences contribute to feelings of frustration and resentment.

The struggles they face highlight the importance of neurodiversity and the need for society to recognize and respect the unique strengths of autistic individuals. It is crucial to provide the necessary support, understanding, and accommodations to enable them to thrive and contribute fully to society.

Through personal experiences and insights, we can gain a deeper understanding of the diverse world of autism and work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals, regardless of their neurodiversity.