I get what you're saying and that's why I try not to be rude. It just makes me wonder if most Aspie's got bullied in life and don't appreciate it, then why are some doing that same thing to an NT on this forum who is here because they like being around Aspies?
In my experience, a person will justify adopting/repeating the behaviours of their abusers by thinking it's "different" when they, as a persecuted minority, strike back at members of the group they view as hostile. This is idiotic, of course. It only creates an endless cycle, and bullying is bullying, full stop.
That's one of the many dangers of the "us v. them" mentality. One stops seeing individuals, only affiliations.
One even left the site entirely saying it was because of me. That was the time I honestly thought about leaving...(edit)...That statement made me feel bad because I don't want any Aspie leaving their own community because of me, an NT.
This is what Adam encountered. To be blunt, I've come to think it's a tactic. Emotional manipulation, just like a romantic partner who threatens to leave every time there's an argument. People with AS are supposed to be honest, straightforward folk, but I've noted some very manipulative, deceptive, and passive-aggressive behaviour from a small handful of Aspies on these forums. Nobody who's present today, thankfully. Good riddance.
Would this potentially isolate NTs even more than they already are?
I don't see having a separate sub-forum as a form of segregation. NTs would still be free to post anywhere they wish on AC, and NDs would still be welcome, perhaps even needed, on NT-focused threads. When I joined here, I was actually surprised that there wasn't already a sub-forum like the one Nadador is suggesting...(edit)
Agreed with Slithy on this. The forum section as I imagined it wouldn't restrict NTs in any way. I would think it would actually make them feel more included if we acknowledged their particular needs by giving them a hub for their own topics.
Slithy, about another comment you made...I, too, have noticed that there isn't presently a website for loved ones of people with ASDs, save forums for parents of children with profound Autism. It's a pity, really. It's higher-functioners like ourselves that can be most confusing to NTs, I think. It's harder for them to understand the finer points of how we're different, as we generally conduct ourselves in ways that closely resemble their own behaviour. Partners, for example, take up with us based largely on what they observe that they do understand, but as they get closer, they find themselves running into all sorts of puzzling behaviours they never expected and are at a loss to comprehend.
People these days are so busy that it's hard to spend a lot of time on things that don't demand our attention. Further, it's entirely possible that NTs are reading, but not posting.
True and true. Good thoughts, both.
Yeah, this would be my concern, that most NTs don't stick around because, well, it is the aspies who get obsessive over their interests, and it is the aspies who need a supportive community for like-minded folks...(edit)
Good points about likely NT attitudes when visiting here.
NT loved ones likely don't realise that they, too, have special needs when involved with one of us. I think it behooves us to make that clearer. We, ourselves can't give them all they need, as we can't fully grasp it. Other NTs in similar situations, however, can empathise properly. But how are they to find each other?
You've made excellent points in all of your posts on this thread. I'd like to comment more to you, for that, but honestly, you said everything so well that there's little left to add. Brilliant.