Aspies For Freedom

I have this mild autism thing but funny enough, I avoid talking to autistic people.
I have nevertheless come a long way into just acting like a normal person.
When I go on the internet, I avoid reading about autism and I pretend I don't have it.
I get freaked out at why people like me would start a big community based on their disorder.
I'm terribly freaked out; why not forget what you have and join other chatrooms to feel normal?
I know I have been quite ruthless and I am proud of you guys for not running away from what you have, unlike me.

Well, this haven't been a big topic yet but alot of aspies are pretty addicted to MMORPG PC games where they may chat.

Actually, Waldo, we feel more normal here at AFF than we do at so-called "normal" message boards or chatrooms.

We have similar issues, we have similar strengths, we understand each other better here than in a "normal" site.

We don't have to pretend and lose ourselves here.  We can explore our unique selves here.  And we can accept ourselves and each other, and work on our self esteem, which is usually pretty low dealing with the NT world.

That's why there's a site like this.  And thanks to Amy and Gareth.

Metta, Jaye

Waldo, why did you join this forum then?  I'm not asking that rhetorically and am definitely not trying to imply you shouldn't (I think it's great that you did) -- I'm just really curious.  You put acting in bold, so I'm assuming you mean that you don't really feel that way.  I think I would crack up eventually -- a happy ending is an unlikely gift of denial and avoidance.  If you ever want to talk, feel free to PM me.

A lot of people on the spectrum like to avoid talking in places devoted to autism directly and interact with other autistics primarily through organizations, forums and chats that happen to attract a number of other autistics.  My friend, for example, didn't really enjoy attending an autistic teen meeting/support group at a local community center but enjoys going to social events at a local GBLT center to spend time with a predominantly autistic bunch of people.  He also isn't part of a forum like this but interacts with a lot of autistics online through a forum and chatroom dedicated to magick/occultism (apparently it's a subject that a number of people on the spectrum 'obsess' over).  He really doesn't have an explanation why he avoids talking to autistics in venues designated precisely for that, but I have a feeling that he doesn't like things that focus on autism directly because he doesn't want people to make that distinction because so many people in his life have misunderstood him and his condition and made him feel disordered -- I think he avoids forums like this because he is afraid of embracing that part of his identity because so many people have made him feel bad about it.  
Do you guys agree??

I've been on this site and Wrong Planet, but I've also been on many, many "normal" forums, and I can honestly say that there are advantages to both.  Posting on here and WP allows me to post with others who understand me better than the people on the "normal" sites, and posting on "normal" sites allows me to interact with "normal" people and forget about being different.

I can understand why, but really, I think there is nothing to be afraid of, its not like, oh, I don't know, being a chick with a dick, or having a third eyeball, when people ask me about it, I usually tell them "autie and loving it", isn't it a little conceited, or perhaps, arrogant, to think that NTs are in some way "better", not saying that you do, but you seem to imply it, by wanting to avoid talking to autistics, I'm not trying to bite here at all, but its a bit nasty on your part really, that is, if you actually shun us, rather than just tend to keep out of the way by choice.

Just my two pence, take it, or leave it, but no offense meant either way.

I feel more normal here and more appreciated and accepted than anywhere else, internet or otherwise.

I don't really feel part of any sort of autistic culture which is distinctive from that of anyone else and I believe there is probably just as much difference between people with AS as there is between those who don't. Now obviously that's not to say that we don't often have certain needs and that wider society should be made far more aware of these but I don't like it when people assume that because I've got AS I must have certain characteristics and must act in a certain way.

why we come here, i think becuase here we dont have to hide or refrain from mentoning unless provoced like someone making a wise crack about autism or something of that nature.we are safe here.

(very gengal statement if i offend i'm sorry)

Well, I'm here to kick butt and chew gum, and I'm all out of gum!

I'm here because this way I can feel like my presence is felt somewhere, even if it actually isn't.

Swap you some gum for a butt to kick.

I visit other non-autism forums, IRL I only know NTs and I only have NT friends. This is the only place I know where I can talk with other autists. I love both sides. I really like my NT friends, they're all different but I really like hanging out with them (when I feel like it, that is). But I also love visiting this forum and share my problems with other people who have the same problems and know exactly what I'm talking about. This is the ONLY place I have ever talked about my feelings. I don't even talk about my feelings with my parents.

I also visit various non-autism related forums, but populated by many undiagnosed aspies or those with traits (geeks essentially). I can't stand un-intelligent music/gossip/TV crap.