Your Autism is Mild

As a high functioning adult with Autism I get told comments such as “your Autism is so mild”, “Autism doesn’t impact you that much because your high functioning”. People in the world experience my autism very mildly HOWEVER it doesn’t take away the challenges and effort I’ve put in myself to be where I am today. Each day I strive to be “socially acceptable” because unfortunately I don’t live on planet Autism.

There is stigma around the terms “high functioning” and “low  functioning”. It is a stereotype that separates people on the spectrum. The Autism Spectrum is called a spectrum for a reason. I feel the term “low functioning” takes away the person with Autism’s abilities and “high functioning” takes away the struggles someone with Autism has. My strengths include attention to detail, honesty, loyalty, and motivation. While someone else with autism may be phenomenal at reading body language and picking up social cues as I am not. People with Autism stand together and help each other compensate for what the other person may not have. 

I am an adult on the Autism Spectrum who is verbally able to communicate. However, if I’m overwhelmed I might not get my needs out verbally. I also mess up socially. Quite often I  say the things other people want to say but don’t. An example would be, I recently had to have a drug test for a new job opportunity. I had to sit in the office and chug water to hopefully have the urge to pee. Well, I was google searching “how to make yourself pee”. I had been in the office for an hour at that point and I was done with the whole process. Google stated “ticking your urethra” would help make your urine come out. I texted my best friend “how do you tickle your urethra”. Most people wouldn’t repeat this out loud yet alone actually ask about it but I did. Long story short I forced myself to pee so that I could be all done with the process.

I am bluntly honest. I don’t have the ability to sugar coat things but I do have the ability to love people genuinely for who they are. I’ll be your biggest supporter and advocate. Everyone should have a friend with Autism. You won’t regret it. 

Comments

  1. CarlyJuly 9, 2021 at 10:53 AM

    I don't have autism but I would 100% text my friend about tickling urethras. Honesty and openness is a good thing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sarah.EllerAugust 23, 2021 at 7:11 PM

    I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about your blog!
    It looks awesome from what I see so far :)
    I love you best friend ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  3. BKDFebruary 19, 2022 at 9:07 AM

    Thank you for sharing this. You sound just like me and that is exciting for me.
    People say they understand my disorder but when it comes to living daily life, I get criticized, called names, and told I'm being too intense or controversial. It's so exhausting constantly trying to explain my love and intentions to the shallow minded people who I am forced to engage with daily. I am a Deep thinker, a problem solver, I like to expose honesty and flaws in people. Thats how I show my love. I try to do it with the best intentions but I am constantly misunderstood and ppl tell me that I've burned all my bridges because I wont "leave well enough alone". Its so exhausting.
    Thanks again for sharing your story. It makes me feel less alone

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary MintonMarch 23, 2022 at 9:14 PM

      I’m so glad I was able to help you! Please reach out anytime. :)

      Delete

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