In the adult world, an uneven distribution of abilities is more valuable than mediocrity at everything.
Liz continued with a list of things not to say when speaking to autistic people (examples: You seem pretty normal to me or What’s your special talent? or We’re all on the spectrum) and explained the idea of social disability with a brilliant example. Imagine everyone used wheelchairs except you and society was designed to accommodate them. You’d knock your head on door frames and have to ask for a chair at restaurants.
“Incorrect. My liquor was the same as yours but stored in the freezer. I lowered the temperature to minimum. Virtually zero absorption of ice, hence no dilution. Subjectively less sweet due to chilling of the tastebuds.”
Rational people, if they have all the information and the brainpower to process it, should reach similar conclusions. But science is so complex that most of us are forced to rely on authorities. The theory that pharmaceutical companies would cover up side effects to promote vaccines is plausible.”
The process for problem-solving is first to explain and explore the situation and objectives. We can ask questions and share information, but we can’t propose solutions. Then we require an incubation period for subconscious problem-solving, during which we undertake some mundane activity.
The gentleman shared a bit of personal information that might have been embarrassing to him, and everybody laughed. Because that’s what we do when someone talks about the things we’re afraid of ourselves. Get them first before they get us.
I had observed that neurotypicals criticized autistic people for lacking empathy—towards them—but seldom made any effort to improve their own empathy towards autistic people.