Anti-Social Behaviour Does Not Equate Autism

A great and ferociously clever friend of mine once said: "I am so sick of people diagnosing themselves with autism because they don't like parties." Or something like that; I don't know; I wasn't listening.

The point is, just because it's popular to be super anti-social these days, doesn't mean you get to self-diagnose yourself with autism. We'd all rather stay in and watch Netflix. That doesn't give you the right to pretend you have a very serious neurological disorder.

If you think skipping social engagements because 'peopleing' is too hard, gives you license to call yourself autistic than you're not the lovable quirky side of normal. You're an asshole.

When you equate your anti-social behaviors with autism you negate the hard work and struggle individuals with autism go through every single day. A communication disorder is not a meme about avoiding the phone (again, we all do that). It's a life-changing neurodevelopmental disability that can make negotiating social situations frightening, confusing and even painful.

Have a little respect.

Oh, also, you don't have OCD because you like your remote controls all lined up beside you when you watch TV.. How many groups are you going to insult today?.

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