On the spectrum

On the Autism spectrum. They say “if you’ve met 1 person with Autism, you’ve met 1 person with Autism.” The core triad for diagnosing is: (a) social impairment, (b) communication difficulties, and (c) repetitive and rigid behaviors and interests.
The “high functioning” end of the spectrum was formerly called “Aspberger's.” Now it’s distinguished as “level 1 Autism; level 1 meaning they require minimal (if any) support. They’re basically society’s smart “nerds.” Famous examples include Einstein, Elon Musk, Nikola Tesla, Sir Issac Newton, Temple Grandin, Mark Zuckerberg, Anthony Hopkins, Peter Thiel, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, etc. They often gravitate towards STEM careers like engineering or medicine but can also be gifted in fields like art or music.

Autistic people can lose their deficits with therapy or self-help. Many women only learn that they’re on the spectrum after having children receive a diagnosis. Women often consciously or unconsciously “mask” their autistic trails. Social camouflaging refers to imitating the social behaviors of neurotypical individuals.

Being on the spectrum is a result of having extra neurons (brain cells) and extra connectivity between them. Google “Temple Grandin brain scans” and hit “images” to see.

Low-functioning autism is quite different. These are individuals w/ Level 3 Autism, the most severe level, meaning they require substantial support. Generally they are non-verbal (speak fewer than 10 words or not at all).

“It was so undignified when those people sat around recording a young boy having a meltdown on that airplane…he’s on the spectrum.”

On the spectrum

A way for autistic people to identify as autistic. Comes from "autistic spectrum".

"I'm on the spectrum," whined Jake. "So I just want to do data entry because I speak without thinking."

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