The two statements in the title are statements I've made at different times, but I feel like they contradict each other or send mixed messages.
I might say I have trouble recognizing faces, processing emotions, coping with lack of sleep, etc. because I'm autistic. It's a true statement - those are all effects of autism that I deal with.
But then I often find myself saying, "Well, that's just one person. Don't expect all autistic people to be like that." A real example I've used is "Being 'great at math' is a stereotype. I do happen to be good at it, but not all autistic people are."
Do you see a conflict between those two statements?
How can I reconcile them? Do I always just say, "Well, for me it's like this...." or "I'm autistic and the way that affects me is ..."
Maybe it depends on how much the other person is willing to listen to a longer explanation - which is almost never.
I might say I have trouble recognizing faces, processing emotions, coping with lack of sleep, etc. because I'm autistic. It's a true statement - those are all effects of autism that I deal with.
But then I often find myself saying, "Well, that's just one person. Don't expect all autistic people to be like that." A real example I've used is "Being 'great at math' is a stereotype. I do happen to be good at it, but not all autistic people are."
Do you see a conflict between those two statements?
How can I reconcile them? Do I always just say, "Well, for me it's like this...." or "I'm autistic and the way that affects me is ..."
Maybe it depends on how much the other person is willing to listen to a longer explanation - which is almost never.