## Highlights - Autistic people process information differently, because our brains are hyper-connected in some places and less connected in others. This difference is visible on brain scans we have neural pathways that others don't, like secret passages all over our brains. This results in a torrent of information for each of us to process, including physical sensations and pattern recognition. By default, everything is intense, which has been called "Intense World Theory." (Page 15) - "Predictive Coding Theory," also known as "Predictive Processing Theory (Page 16) - Repetitive thoughts, technically called "perseveration, can amplify both interests and memories. Perseveration causes me to remind myself, again and again, that I've lost someone I loved, and that things didn't go as I hoped. Before I found out that this is a common autistic trait, I didn't fight such thoughts, because I believed they were justified. When I began to recognize how it can deepen and prolong emotional pain, though, I started to handle all kinds of grief differently. I now see the value in setting aside periods of time specifically to process it, and then trying to redirect any painful thoughts that arise outside those times (Page 49) - What is it like when autistic people spend time together, with no one else around? Not every autistic group is the same, but here's what I've experienced with the friends who helped me discover my autism. People might think that we go off on long tangents, leaving our listeners to suffer in boredom. But hiding boredom out of politeness is a neurotypical custom. When I'm with autistic friends, and one is talking, those who are genuinely interested keep listening, and the others spontaneously start side conversations with no hard feelings. It's considered rude to fake interest, and kind to encourage others to pursue what stimulates their minds. People might think that the timing in autistic conversations is awkward for everyone involved-speakers who get interrupted, and listeners who can't figure out when it's okay to interrupt. But figuring that out from tone alone is what neurotypical minds do. When I'm with autistic friends, we devise systems to identify a good time to speak. I hold up one finger when I think of something to say, two fingers if I'm second in line, and so on. When the next person starts to talk, everyone after them drops a finger, to show that they're moving up the line. This may sound hard to track, but we find it way easier than subtle cues woven into the rhythm of speech. (Page 52) - tags:: [[favorite]] - showing someone where they're wrong feels like keeping them safe from the consequences of their mistake. It's a collaborative pursuit of truth, not a power move. (Page 58) - In the Community Would it be useful to announce my autism on a medical bracelet? What would that say about me? Well, I know what I wish it would say. I wish it would say to police officers, "I strictly follow every rule to the best of my ability. If it seems like I'm not following directions, it's because I process audio more slowly under stress. Either that, or I feel confused because what you're saying contradicts what I thought I was expected to do. Please slow down, assume the best, and rephrase your words if I seem to have misunderstood." I wish an autism bracelet would say to paramedics, "I don't know what's happening, and I find that terrifying. Please tell me where we're going, and exactly what to expect. Also, many kinds of physical sensations are uncomfortable for me, and that can be hard to distinguish from pain, so I may not know how to answer when you ask me if something hurts." To doctors, dentists, mechanics, and other professionals, I wish an autism bracelet would say, "Please explain everything in detail, without skipping information that you assume is common knowledge. List every step I need to take, and include reasons for any recommendations you give. Regardless of how clearly and directly you you've communicated, please understand that I may still need to ask follow-up questions." (Page 92) --- tags: 📥️/🔖️/🟥️ publish: true aliases: - What I Mean When I Say I'm Autistic cover: '' general_subject: specific_subject: source: manual isbn: doi: url: author: "[[@Annie Kotowicz]]" publish_date: reviewed_date: ---  ## Highlights - Autistic people process information differently, because our brains are hyper-connected in some places and less connected in others. This difference is visible on brain scans we have neural pathways that others don't, like secret passages all over our brains. This results in a torrent of information for each of us to process, including physical sensations and pattern recognition. By default, everything is intense, which has been called "Intense World Theory." (Page 15) - "Predictive Coding Theory," also known as "Predictive Processing Theory (Page 16) - Repetitive thoughts, technically called "perseveration, can amplify both interests and memories. Perseveration causes me to remind myself, again and again, that I've lost someone I loved, and that things didn't go as I hoped. Before I found out that this is a common autistic trait, I didn't fight such thoughts, because I believed they were justified. When I began to recognize how it can deepen and prolong emotional pain, though, I started to handle all kinds of grief differently. I now see the value in setting aside periods of time specifically to process it, and then trying to redirect any painful thoughts that arise outside those times (Page 49) - What is it like when autistic people spend time together, with no one else around? Not every autistic group is the same, but here's what I've experienced with the friends who helped me discover my autism. People might think that we go off on long tangents, leaving our listeners to suffer in boredom. But hiding boredom out of politeness is a neurotypical custom. When I'm with autistic friends, and one is talking, those who are genuinely interested keep listening, and the others spontaneously start side conversations with no hard feelings. It's considered rude to fake interest, and kind to encourage others to pursue what stimulates their minds. People might think that the timing in autistic conversations is awkward for everyone involved-speakers who get interrupted, and listeners who can't figure out when it's okay to interrupt. But figuring that out from tone alone is what neurotypical minds do. When I'm with autistic friends, we devise systems to identify a good time to speak. I hold up one finger when I think of something to say, two fingers if I'm second in line, and so on. When the next person starts to talk, everyone after them drops a finger, to show that they're moving up the line. This may sound hard to track, but we find it way easier than subtle cues woven into the rhythm of speech. (Page 52) - tags:: [[favorite]] - showing someone where they're wrong feels like keeping them safe from the consequences of their mistake. It's a collaborative pursuit of truth, not a power move. (Page 58) - In the Community Would it be useful to announce my autism on a medical bracelet? What would that say about me? Well, I know what I wish it would say. I wish it would say to police officers, "I strictly follow every rule to the best of my ability. If it seems like I'm not following directions, it's because I process audio more slowly under stress. Either that, or I feel confused because what you're saying contradicts what I thought I was expected to do. Please slow down, assume the best, and rephrase your words if I seem to have misunderstood." I wish an autism bracelet would say to paramedics, "I don't know what's happening, and I find that terrifying. Please tell me where we're going, and exactly what to expect. Also, many kinds of physical sensations are uncomfortable for me, and that can be hard to distinguish from pain, so I may not know how to answer when you ask me if something hurts." To doctors, dentists, mechanics, and other professionals, I wish an autism bracelet would say, "Please explain everything in detail, without skipping information that you assume is common knowledge. List every step I need to take, and include reasons for any recommendations you give. Regardless of how clearly and directly you you've communicated, please understand that I may still need to ask follow-up questions." (Page 92)