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Unexpected Difficulties

Most professionals and parents of autistics know the basic differences most autistic people experience. However, there are other differences that can become difficulties, especially when others don't recognize that the autistic has these differences.

Like most autistic differences, these differences, while sometimes difficulties in themselves, become more difficult when society doesn't recognize and accommodate them. As always, the proper solution is to recognize other peoples' differences and try to build a community in which those differences are mere differences rather than tremendous difficulties (yes, this isn't always possible, but it still can and should be attempted).

Assumptions of Competence

One of the biggest difficulties anyone can face is the assumption that they are either competent or not competent regarding a specific skill or task. It is fine to recognize that a person may be good or bad at certain things when there is evidence to support that. It is quite another to make the assumption that a person with a certain trait has a certain level of ability in an unrelated trait.

Especially with autism, it's very possible to have areas of strong ability and areas of weak ability. Autistics often have stronger peaks and deeper valleys, sometimes in areas thought to be "connected". For instance, an autistic may be very good at writing and very poor with speech.

Initiation

Initiation is one of the most misunderstood autistic difficulties. Of course, like any other difference autistic people have, is not universal and there are some autistics who truly don't have problems initiating movement or interaction. Often, however, people assume that an autistic who isn't interacting with others is doing so because they've chosen to not interact, rather than being unable to initiate the movement and communication required for interaction.

Problems with initiation cover a wide variety of areas. Autistics may (note that, like any other difference, not all autistics share these traits) have trouble with initiating conversation, speaking out in a group conversation, mentioning their personal needs (for instance, mentioning to a doctor that they have an upset stomach), asking for help, movement, or many of the other requirements of daily life.

Self-Care

Self-Care is another area where there is often difficulty among autistics. Some of us can't make ourselves look "neat and clean" no matter how much we try, while others see little point in even trying. Problems with self-care can include not bathing regularly, finding it painful to wash one's hair, tooth care difficulties, problems with doing laundry, and many others.

Eating and Nutrition

Many autistics have eating and nutrition problems. Many of us are either significantly over or under our recommended body weight. We may have trouble preparing food, or even simply eating the food that is prepared for us. Often, we are picky eaters, and will find it not only difficult, but impossible, to eat food that offends our senses (for instance, we might not be able to eat any food item that is mixed in with another food item).

We may also have significant problems determining how much to eat, or when to eat. While this may be caused (or made worse) by other issues such as sickness or depression, autism itself can cause problems. Some autistics can't reliably feel the sensation of "hunger" or "thirst" for instance.

Health Care

The health care system is often inaccessible to autistics, even without the problems of poverty or lack of medical insurance that are so common among autistics. Scheduling appointments can be daunting ("Do I see a specialist about this, or a regular doctor?" "What do I need to tell them?" "What will they ask me?"). So can the actual appointment, along with all the forms and procedures that must be followed.

Unfortunately, that's only half the trouble many autistics have with medical care. We seem to report our symptoms differently than neurotypicals. Some of us may not mention a symptom unless a doctor specifically asks if we have it. We may also have trouble explaining a symptom or telling the doctor what we feel is wrong. Many of us have very confused internal senses, and have trouble figuring out even that we are sick. If we have trouble figuring out that we are sick, we have even more trouble explaining it to someone else! I know one autistic who asks her doctor to basically expect what he would expect out of a young child - that he will have to figure out what is wrong with her without much help from her.

Because of these problems, many autistics simply don't see the doctor. Obviously that can be a major problem.

And More...

Of course these aren't the only "unusual" autistic difficulties. There are many, many more possible things an autistic may have trouble with. Often these unusual difficulties exist right along side of unusual strengths. For instance, I can work full time (and am fairly successful in my career - I am in a senior technical position). But I have trouble remembering to eat, getting myself to a doctor (I went a few years ago - when the ambulance dropped me off), initiating conversation in a group, and many other things that people don't seem to think people with my strengths have.