@Vermillion-Rx You, and Grok, didn’t answer my question as to whether autism generally (let’s not go with always) gives someone an above average ability similar to Peter Parker getting bitten by a radioactive spider.

I have a theory about the Sheldon Cooper character is that his social awkwardness was most likely due to a coping mechanism similar to that of star athletes, rich kids, or, well, women. :-)

Namely, when someone is young and greatly talented, they may use it as a coping mechanism or crutch to avoid developing social skills or empathy. “Nice guys”, maligned in the culture, are perceived as weak people who are “nice” because they feel a NEED to and worse, act like it’s a virtue as if my not stealing apples from my neighbor’s tree entitles me to an award when I’m actually afraid of their dog biting me.

Nonetheless, being cognizant of reality isn’t a bad thing either. Being nice IS a good thing as I often muse riding the metro and tolerating boorish behavior because the local’s parents never bothered to teach them manners or to do so via discipline. Being a rude A-hole because you can, isn’t to be admired either.

It’s also why I want my daughter to read Game, The Like Switch, and other books on human psychology so she can legitimately empathize with other people but also achieve her goals without feeling held back by other people not “getting her”.

Sometimes “autistic” people, including myself at times in my life, retreat into our hobbies, work, and books because either the social culture is overwhelming to us or, well, pathological. I at least didn’t smoke, do weed, or get tattoos and if my daughter is “autistic” in that regard, I’ll be quite happy about it.

I strive to educate her to stand up for herself constructively, to initiate and develop friendships, and to be a leader, even for herself, rather than a trend follower.

As I say this, and muse on other posts in TRP, all my lovely daughter really needs to do to swing it our of the park is not mess up. Don’t waste her 20’s partying and sleeping around and getting tats. Develop basic financial skills and market herself early including identifying a decent, reliable husband and father. Ironically, back in my father’s era (RIP), this was all men back then needed to do.

@polishknight

Yeah man they love the cute/smart trope of the successful autistic in shows but have no desire for one unless he masks his social ineptitude

There is also dressing like an autist (nerdy and very plain low stimulation clothes on repeat) but i digress

are autistic people always above average skilled in other areas?

Well the DSM and American Psychological Association decided to throw everyone in a single fucking box for no reason by getting rid of "Asperger's syndrome" so now every autistic person is "autism spectrum disorder"

So no, there are some with substantial impairment to the point they cannot tie their shoes or really socialize. They might have an extreme pet interest they know a lot about if they aren't THAT impaired (train meme). There aren't that many of extremely impaired autists

Most people on the spectrum are middle of the road, not heavily impaired and i suspect a lot of guys who are not autistic are just socially awkward from how they were raised or no friends and just pass as autistic because of it

Most unimpaired autists do have a lot of thinking skills that are above average and very talented in what they put themselves to (computers, building, etc)