At a recent support grout for adults on the Spectrum, I got upset and made a complaint. People with autism have a problem that NTs (neurotypicals = “normal people”) don”t show respect for their views, but I see that attitude just as much in the autism community.

The truth is that everyone in this world is different and that we are all, in many ways, one big spectrum. If we would be okay with the way everyone we meet and know acts and feels, and not try forcing them to fit into a certain mold, life could be better for all.

But there is such a thing as special needs, and there are positive aspects to labelling. I’m sure that I wouldn’t have liked some of the consenquences if I had been labelled as a child, but I would have also avoided some of the negatives that I experienced before and after getting diagnosed with Asperger’s as an adult.

Most people want to be nice and kind and understanding, but few have the patience to really give what they say so much thought. And us Aspies can get hurt by words spoken by someone who truly cares for us and who was trying their hardest to be sensitive.

I’m not sure what I really want from this post. It’s long and winded – that’s the way I write. Talking in person is better for me, which makes me long for a support groups just for frum people.

On a side note, although Asperger’s was removed from DSM, it was made clear that we don’t have to stop using the term to describe ourselves. The change is only for the professionals.