It's not always easy to understand Autism and how we present, but it shouldn't stop society trying to understand.
Autism
Autism is a disability and no two people with the condition will present in the same way. How it plays out will differ. A cross-wired brain will always be a cross-wired brain. Trying to fit a square peg into a round hole can never work.
Anxiety and Autism
We have anxiety because it's how Autism presents. It's never easy having to mould ourselves into our lives. Having watched again Chris Packham's BBC documentary, his experiences reinforce my own.
Autism, social interaction and communication
Autism is high functioning, although there are different degrees. We find social interaction and communication difficult, as part of the condition we may also fail to interpret and mis-communicate. In Chris' documentary he talks about living by himself because that way he gets to be himself.
Conclusion
It is important for anyone living with the condition, to be allowed to be who they are. Any form of stress or uncertainty we deal with becomes a trigger. Where we may fail to understand or communicate effectively, others should understand.
Autism is often high functioning, but I am lucky – my Autism is mild. Where I'm not so lucky is that others don't always care to understand how I present. There is no tolerance, or support on what I deal with around autism.
It always amazes me when people don't notice the signs, but they didn't go through my childhood, where we had to learn how to read other people just to survive.
I also turned out to be a natural empath, so I'm guessing it would make it easier for me to see what others fail to notice. It would also explain how I understand what they're trying to say to people, when they don't seem to be able to get it at all.
I have often wondered if this intuition is from the head injury I went through as a child and had what they call a TBI now, which would explain so much.
I'll never know since there wasn't much follow up afterwards, but I do wonder, with the symptoms I have been dealing with later in my life.
As Autism affects a person's everyday capacity to communicate and form relationships and interact, it has a huge impact on a person's thinking and behaviour.
As you say, that person must be allowed to be who they are without judging and that can only come about through understanding and patience.
Talking about it and bringing it to people's attention like you do through your own struggles, helps take away the stigma associated with a disability. Keep it up.
Thanks. It definitely helps to talk about my struggles. Even if others don't struggle with what I struggle with, it helps to know we're not alone.
Understanding and patience is important in all walks of life, but particularly when it comes to a disability.
Not everyone's disability is obvious, but the same amount of patience and understanding must still be applied. If the shoe were on the other foot, others wouldn't expect any less.