Autism is NOT a Super Power - My Friend Autism #videopodcast #orionkelly

Hi! I'm Orion Kelly and I'm Autistic. Please enjoy this episode of my podcast 'My Friend Autism'. #orionkelly #autism #asd #autistic #podcast #autismsigns #whatautismfeelslike

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ABOUT ORION:
Orion Kelly is an #ActuallyAutistic vlogger (YouTuber), podcaster, radio host, actor, keynote speaker and Autistic advocate based in Australia. Orion is all about helping you increase your understanding, acceptance and appreciation of Autistic people.

#AutisticVoices #ActuallyAutistic #Autistic #Autism #OrionKelly #ThatAutisticGuy #ASD

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[jonathanmiller]

Totaly right, we cant advance as a society if we see every different thing as "special". It really just fuels ostracization. Well said👏

[Melissa.Garrett]

I like the term “spiky skill set”, personally speaking. Many of us have areas we’re particularly good at, but it’s offset by all the things we’re particularly bad at. As Orion said, Superman wasn’t cursed not to walk in order to be able to fly.

[TheAnhedonicOne]

Autism is not a superpower. It's a daily challenge to live with. There's admirable traits in autistic individuals, and things autistic people can be especially good at offering, but to call it a superpower is patronizing, untrue, and paints over the constant struggles.

[nathaliewilborts]

Only just discovered your podcast and loving it! I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 7/8; my autism was diagnosed last year January, aged 36 (I am now 37, going on 38). I HATE people who use the phrase "autism is a superpower", however, hate it even more when it comes from autistic people! If they want to say "autism is MY superpower" whatever, they can say that, but not "is A superpower". Autistic people have said to me "oh but you are so good at so and so, that is a superpower". But no, to me, a superpower is an EXTRA thing you are good at, not something you are good at at the expense of other things, especially things that would actually make my life better/less difficult. One thing I found during my self-diagnosis and later actual diagnosis, that many fellow autistic people are way more toxic than neurotypical people.

[visionvixxen]

Exactly. We love a lot about ourselves, but let’s be honest- this thing makes life almost insurmountable my difficult. I’m surprised I’m still alive

[matahari]

I believe neurodivergence is a functional trait at this point in history: it's important to deviate from the "norm"; to be less "programmable" and inherently unable to conform so that we can shift to a new paradigm.

Also, being able to focus in like a laser on subject/s of interest allows for a different kind of advancement.

[Bladebrent]

I think the idea of "Oh Autism is a SUPER POWER" is that it does come with advantages. like being able to see things objectively, or being fixated on a specific topic. I think the issue is when you are autistic, hearing that makes it feel like you're wasitng your potential. "oh The guy on that show got super technology autism and I got video game autism. wow that sucks." I think different people can hear the same thing and interpret it in different ways so maybe hearing you can use Autism to your advantage can be helpful to some people. Not everyone though and it depends n the person.

[Catlily]

A troll told me "you think you are special."
I told him, "Yes, I am special. Every person on earth is special!" And we are. We're all different.

[peteracton]

I'm autistic but I am not a savant. The "superpower" thing means we are a special resource to be mined by good old capitalism, or so I have read. We can be exploited in the workplace but are in fact more likely to be unemployed. Complex, I need to think about this one...

[yvxwnso]

I'd rate this discussion a 💯/💯!!!

[cristinaroe]

You are so right Orion. I would love to be accepted. Understood, loved and appreciated. I can't count the names I've been called and the insults I've received. Yes, what is the superpower? Perhaps it is our GENUINE individuality and our ability to work things out for ourselves because we have to, which makes us creative, empathic and kind. Cause we can recognise struggling and suffering in others and for me at least, I'm hot on social justice, finding it impossible to do nothing when I see others clearly being bullied or discriminated against. Yes, being different means pain and loneliness with maybe just a few glimpses of what it could be like when some kind person takes the time to help and makes you feel human. You are doing that Orion in your ministry. You are blessing many and I thank God for you for speaking out and telling the truth.

[araxxipogo]

Oh I can so relate to this!

I DESPISE situations where my sensory issues are being referred to as "special needs" particularly when I know for a fact that what it really means is that my sensory issues are an INCONVENIENCE to other people!! And WORSE YET when it is "INCONVENIENT" for others because I am essentially being FORCED to do something that I don't actually want to do in the first place but apparently MUST DO to appease social norms or societal expectations!!
IF MY SENSORY ISSUES ARE AN INCONVENIENCE THEN I HAVE A VERY SIMPLE SOLUTION TO THAT!! DON'T EXPECT ME TO ATTEND SOMETHING, OR JUDGE ME FOR NOT ATTENDING AND/OR BEING A PART OF SOMETHING THAT I DON'T WANT TO DO ANYWAY AND THEN IT WON'T BE AN INCONVENIENCE ANYMORE!! SIMPLE.
IN FACT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE IT ANY MORE SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD THAN THAT.
IT IS THAT EASY!
BUT PEOPLE HAVE TO MAKE IT ABOUT THEM AND HOW IT AFFECTS THEM!!!
IT MUST BE SO DREADFULLY INCONVENIENT FOR THEM TO HAVE TO PUT UP WITH MY ANXIETIES, HOW SELFISH OF ME!! IT'S RUINING THEIR DAY!! MY ANXIETY COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE IMPACTING MY LIFE, OHHH NOOOO NOT AT ALL, I'M JUST DELIBERATELY BEING DIFFICULT SO I CAN HAVE MY OWN WAY!! MY ANXIETY IS SUDDENLY JUST A CALCULATED CHOICE I'VE MADE BECAUSE MY SOLE INTENTION IN LIFE IS TO INCONVENIENCE OTHER PEOPLE.
SURE.
ALL I EVER DO IS JUST SIT AROUND THINKING UP NEW WAYS TO RUIN SOMEONE ELSES DAY WITH MY INCONVENIENT NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS.
WHAT A FANTASTIC SUPERPOWER THAT IS!!
WATCH OUT WONDER WOMAN THERE'S A NEW SUPER VILLAIN IN TOWN!! IT'S SENSORY OVERLOAD ANXIETY WOMAN WITH HER AMAZING POWERS OF INCONVENIENCE!! MWAHAHAHA!!
*shakes head*

apologies for the rant by the way.

[brakeme]

Words are words. They mean what YOU think they mean. Others, think differently😮. I have to call it my superpower. I can do what others can’t do. I don’t have a special superpower, though 😂
You made some excellent points that need to spoken out load. Thought provoking is always good yet seldom embraced.

[paulandrewcozort]

You help me understand myself, thank you.

[BuckarooBonzai]

🎉AAA+++ Podcaster. Orion Kelly has the superpower of communication. From "Disabled, " to "Special, " to "Normal, " society labels us all. Orion makes the call for "Equality, " and "Egalitarianism." I couldn't agree more! (And my special needs are "Long and Tall.")🎉

[darbydelane]

Officially My Favorite Orion Kelly Video/Episode🥇

[siljrath]

with you, every single sentiment of this. yup >100% emphatically agree, with the logic and the emotion.
with you, every single bit of this, unless, while I was boiling the kettle I didn't hear you say something horrible like we should boil all squirrels.
but from what I heard, 100% agree.
glorious catharsis. so glad to hear it said so well. the poison of the unreality of both "special" and "super power". yup. back to reality.

[Lstfrwrds]

Omg your batman/superman analogy, I love it 😂

[amandamandamands]

The only thing that I will say about the r word is that it did used to have a medical definition (same as idiot, moron and imbecile). It has become a slur because of the way that the general public used it over the years. The same way that there is a service near me that when I was growing up was called The Spastic Centre. It was renamed years ago, again the word spastic became unacceptable to use because of the way the general population was using it.
The actual issue isn't with the words itself, it is that the NT population will use them to put down, demean and bully people around them. Some categories of people/disabilities have been renamed numerous times because society just over time adjusts and uses the replacement word instead. Until society actually accepts people who are different this won't change.

[emmettobrian]

I have one experience to share on this issue. I worked for group homes for people who can't care for themselves. When I started, they walked us through the history of disability, one of the things that was emphasized was that language referring to disability is implemented with kindness in mind but quickly becomes pejorative. I witnessed this in action while I worked there. We referred to our residents as "individuals" which is pretty neutral and factual. The intent was to highlight that they are distinct and not to be dealt with as a group. Just as I was moving on to another job, the announcement was made that we were no longer to use the term "individual" because it was being used as a label.

So good job to the higher ups for being on top of an internal social shift and trying to stay ahead of it. But it really emphasized to me that the issue of word whack a mole will go on as long as anyone is different. Any terminology will become tainted in time.

The problem is, unlike the organization I worked for, society as a whole doesn't keep up with the taint. There's even a sizable chunk of the population that revels in it, because they can engage in harmful intent while acting like they're pure in heart.