To be or not to be Autistic

 

To be or not to be autistic, is the question. I know, I just went Shakespearean on all of you.

There are many wanted and unwanted desires of people wishing to be or not to be autistic. I have come across a few people that speculate that they are autistic simply because they feel awkward about themselves and want a logical explanation, and feel that placing themselves on the spectrum is good enough of an explanation. Some claim to have the symptoms for themselves that are or aren't subtle and wonder if should I consider the possibility. Some are autistic but have just never been diagnosed and question why am I the way I am. I even come across parents who want to place their children on the spectrum just because they want them to be special.

The desire to be autistic is tragic to me. It's like Macbeth killing King Duncan, just to become king himself but finds himself losing his mind out of paranoia and guilt instead of what he thought would be bliss. You are going to destroy yourself by desiring something that may or may not be yours to claim. If you truly feel this way then go see a specialist and get yourself tested to see if you are autistic.

I just got done watching Big Bange Theory. In one of the episodes, Sheldon expresses to Penny that he is clueless as to why he has trouble understanding when someone is telling a joke, being sarcastic, or even why he is unable to connect with people on a social level at least in a way that people would expect. There are so many people out there that are on the spectrum, don't know it, and have been struggling their whole life without understanding why.

Just keep in mind that when you do it may change your life and you will have to face new challenges in life. When I was diagnosed people were quick to predetermine my ability to graduate high school, get married, or live independently. Claiming that I will not be able to do so. With help from my family, I managed to prove them wrong. But I also had to get to know myself all over again by learning about my condition and excepting it for myself. It will change your life. How it will change your life depends on where you are in life, and how you look at yourself. If you are someone that made it through school and became successful then I ask, why are you worried? But if you just want to get answers for yourself then I say go for it.

For those parents who are wanting their kids to be autistic, please just stop. Don't make them autistic just because you want them to be special and have special abilities or extreme intelligence. Autism is not considered an ability for all; most consider it a disability. Parents use to fear having their kids diagnosed. They were afraid that their kids would be considered stupid and incapable. I was told that I was incapable of doing more than what I was capable of. There were times when my mom was the only one telling me that I was capable. To wish this on your kid is just cruel. Your kid is already special just by being yours, and a unique individual already. Just appreciate that and help them grow to become who they are meant to be.