Can we please acknowledge that ability to mask is not a reliable way to tell if someone has low support needs or not?
Sure, in a lot of cases people who can mask have low support needs, but since meeting and hanging out with more autistic people I've seen plenty of people who can't mask being more socially capable and independent that people who pass as NT due to masking
There are people who get told "you don't look autistic" that are severely dependant due to their autism. And there are people who get clocked constantly as autistic that are fully independent
Every autistic person is different and you cannot reliably tell the amount of help they need based on "how autistic they look"
Undiagnosed autistic culture is obsessing over the topic of autism, feeling validated by the incredible similarities in your own life, relating to every autistic individual in some way or another, fulfilling most if not all DSM 5 criteria on ASD, taking every autistic test you could find online all confirming you are very likely autistic...
...but still end up doubting you even have it.
Neurotypicals: Think Autistic people are exceptionally literal.
Autistics: Describe their experiences using phrases like:
- My brain feels like it’s filled with cotton laced with barbed wire, it’s not safe for me to make decisions right now.
- I’m entering a Wait Mode until we leave.
- Just looking at that rotten food makes my skin feel slimy.
Neurotypicals: Assume the Autistics are using metaphorical language to exaggerate common experiences.
