Its really very easy to just see autism as the thing that holds you back - the problems in your life. Its easy to think that all it does is make socialising with people nigh impossible. Its easy to feel stupid because of being unable to communicate with other people very well.
It is very difficult to see the positives, but they are there. It is well televised that people with autism have abuve average intelligence. It is less televised that they tend to specialise in a particular area. I have a particular gift in words and I love to write stories. Even more specifically, I am good at epic fantasies (of the Tolkien ilk). My other great passion is teaching, I never feel better then when I have taught somebody something, thus I intend to go on and become a teacher.
With regards to high intelligence, there are many great people who have ASD. Firstly, and famously, the renowned Scottish painter, Peter Howson who has Asperger's Syndrome (same as me). He has created some truly breath-taking pieces and that's coming from someone who has very little artistic eye.Another great modern autistic is Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon.
We cannot say with any certainty that any of the following people were indeed autistic as the research of their time was either brand new or non-existent. For example, Albert Einstein was dead before any real knowledge of Autism was found. However, it has been speculated that he was most likely on the spectrum. He is rumored to have talked to himself obsessively as a child (a classic trait) and he was notoriously inept socially. Another famous physicist thought to be on the spectrum is Isaac Newton. I found it funny on two levels when I discovered that he gave lectures eve when all of his students failed to materialize. Firstly, it sounds fairly mad, but secondly, its a thing many autistics do when they are faced with a problem - speak it aloud. Even, no particularly, when there's nobody there to listen or interrupt your flow of thinking. I think that the second bit will only be funny to people who understand and as such will see that he just took it further, but not quite as far as that bloody apple that fell on him!
But this post is not about famous people with autism, its about all of you. Those autistics who feel that it is a condition that will hold them back. These names are not just some collection I made for the fun of it. They are a lesson. Did any of those people allow misconceptions about autism hold them back? Did any of them allow the difficulties of the diagnosis keep them from doing the best they could? Did they not become famous in their own way, their special way? They did. And so can you, all it takes is the bravery to go and face up to those people who thought that they were inferior, be it socially or professionally (Newton was seen as a fool for most of his career).
Face the people who think that you cannot achieve what you know you can. Prove to them that you can do whatever you want to do. Then, once all is said and done, you can turn around and give them a knowing smile. No words needed, the smile will say it all.
This is a little early, I know, but I have finished it so its up. Put the names of other autistic people who have achieved great things in the comments box so we can all take heart from their example. As always, questions are welcome and loved.
With regards to high intelligence, there are many great people who have ASD. Firstly, and famously, the renowned Scottish painter, Peter Howson who has Asperger's Syndrome (same as me). He has created some truly breath-taking pieces and that's coming from someone who has very little artistic eye.Another great modern autistic is Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon.
We cannot say with any certainty that any of the following people were indeed autistic as the research of their time was either brand new or non-existent. For example, Albert Einstein was dead before any real knowledge of Autism was found. However, it has been speculated that he was most likely on the spectrum. He is rumored to have talked to himself obsessively as a child (a classic trait) and he was notoriously inept socially. Another famous physicist thought to be on the spectrum is Isaac Newton. I found it funny on two levels when I discovered that he gave lectures eve when all of his students failed to materialize. Firstly, it sounds fairly mad, but secondly, its a thing many autistics do when they are faced with a problem - speak it aloud. Even, no particularly, when there's nobody there to listen or interrupt your flow of thinking. I think that the second bit will only be funny to people who understand and as such will see that he just took it further, but not quite as far as that bloody apple that fell on him!
But this post is not about famous people with autism, its about all of you. Those autistics who feel that it is a condition that will hold them back. These names are not just some collection I made for the fun of it. They are a lesson. Did any of those people allow misconceptions about autism hold them back? Did any of them allow the difficulties of the diagnosis keep them from doing the best they could? Did they not become famous in their own way, their special way? They did. And so can you, all it takes is the bravery to go and face up to those people who thought that they were inferior, be it socially or professionally (Newton was seen as a fool for most of his career).
Face the people who think that you cannot achieve what you know you can. Prove to them that you can do whatever you want to do. Then, once all is said and done, you can turn around and give them a knowing smile. No words needed, the smile will say it all.
This is a little early, I know, but I have finished it so its up. Put the names of other autistic people who have achieved great things in the comments box so we can all take heart from their example. As always, questions are welcome and loved.
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