What It Means To Be Autistic

Right like I said I had something a little odd I was doing. This time the topic is Autism, just pure ASD. I ask some of my friends, yes, I do have some and yes, it is a shock. I am going to give what I asked them first then I will show you what they said, this hasn’t been edited- they are this corny. I will use the nicknames I gave them. 

These answers are from Nemo (not the fish🐠)

What are the good things about having a friend with autism?

The good things about having a friend with autism are the things you learn and start to understand and the bond you develop with each other as you both understand each other different views and outlooks on life. Having a friend with autism has made me so much more aware of how it might affect the daily life of an individual with autism. It has enabled me to become more aware of different factors which contribute to autism and how things like the environment or social situations can cause challenged or barriers for an individual with autism. Having a friend with autism has helped me to understand these better and empathise with my friend to help them when these difficult situations arise. I have been taught patience and kindness and empathy are the best ways to help when my friend and others when they have difficult/bad days. Additionally, to learning about autism my friend and I have good times and fun and joke and have created many great memories together.

What are the bad things about having a friend with autism?

I would not classify these as bad things, just maybe some difficult situations or misunderstandings which may occur when you have a friend/relationship with someone who has autism. When yourself as an individual might have emotional struggles or upset your friend might not be able to fully understand or empathise with you and how your feeling. This can be difficult to understand if you don’t have much knowledge of how autism affects your friend and may even think they are ignoring or don’t pick up on the fact your upset, but this is not the case. Emotions can be difficult for people with autism to understand and empathise with. In my experiences, I sit down with my friend and explain how I might be feeling and how these feelings will impact my actions so I can help them to gain some sort of understanding. 

Would you have been the best or worse moments you have had?

Best memories I have is helping each other and learn together in college and becoming friends over this time and learning more about autism in general from my friend. Another good memory is a charity event my friend organised, and I helped him with this. It was a really good time and I made sure that if they did find them self starting to struggle or find things difficult then they know as a friend I’m and always there to take a time out and be there for my friend if they struggle in any way.

 Do you ever understand them, and do they understand you?

Only through asking questions and researching have I begun to understand how autism affects my friend. I found the best way to find out about it and better understand my friend is to respectfully ask them personally. In relation to if they understand me: I feel my friend understands me as a person and knows me well and can tell how I will respond to good or bad things. I have been told by my friend that they cannot fully understand the emotions I feel but was happy to let me explain them in the best way possible to help them understand me better. They might not always understand exactly how I feel if I’m upset or struggling but they are always there for me whatever the case which I am very grateful for.

Is there anything else that you want to tell people about autism?

Be patient and ask questions and try to learn and understand as there is no reason not to. I have had nothing but positive experiences and good times and great friendship and understanding each other as all a part of that. I feel very lucky to have such a great friend who has also taught me so much as well. If there is any ever an issue we can always find a way to help each other.

This one is from Wooper, not the Pokémon. They didn’t want to say much- which I don’t mind.

What are the good things about having a friend with autism?

The intelligence and difference isinspiring and awesome. I learn something new every time we speak.

Summary: I hope people can see from this that autistics are as human as the next person and aren’t as bad as the media or people think.  We sometimes get things wrong but who doesn’t? All we take is time to understand us. Although I keep saying I don’t like people, I don’t mind them if they ask questions and actually want to look from our/my perspective👀. As for me that shows that they want to know and help bridge the slight gaps between us. Although they might be small they are everyday occurrences. 

Thank you for reading this, I know there is a lot to read and hopefully, I can make a second part away from friends. If you like this please subscribe, like and share it with other people and give them more wacky ideas like mine. If you want to see some other things please click here for the last two episodes of the Atypical review, or here for the last blog post. I took a few weeks away from everything, without telling anyone- sorry😔. Now I am back and ready to post everything I have been planning💪📓.