“I am autistic”. Reactions…
Every now and then, I will tell someone that I am autistic. The reactions have varied.
I have been asked if I am ok to go and catch the bus on my own.
I have had someone hold my arm as if I am having trouble standing up.
I have had someone suddenly talk really loud/shout at me as if I can’t hear them.
I have been stared at as if I am going to grow green tentacles without warning.
I have had people do the above and then hurriedly change the subject.
I have seen people go and tell other people that I am autistic but they won’t discuss the subject with me directly.
I have been asked if I am going to faint or something. (maybe they were thinking epilepsy?)
I have been asked if there is a cure.
And the #1 reaction is……….. :: drumroll ::
“You mean like Rainman?”
LOL!
Sometimes a person knows I am autistic, yet they will show surprise at certain things I can do. Like driving. I have had my licence for 11 years. I had no choice, I had to get it if I was going to get to work. Admittedly, I got my automatic licence, not the manual one. With the automatic car, I don’t have to think about gears and the clutch and all that. I did try manual, though. For a couple of years.
I have also been told I am very verbal. I have to be if I am to get my point across. I can also be pretty verbal when I am meant to be socialising. But I do pay a price. It is common for me to go home with a headache and to sleep for a couple of hours. Or sit and stare into space. Whatever works.
Also, I am very resourceful. Again, with this, I have had to be. I have never been able to pass off the “dirty work” to someone else. But I will always try my best to pass off phonecalls to someone else. And food ordering. And food shopping.
Filed by renaeden at February 26th, 2008 under Autism and me...