Awesome symptom no. 1
Hyper-sensory experiences

Hyper-receptivity to sensory input can be difficult, as the chances of frequent sensory overload are high.

But with it, we might also be aware of ambient nuances, beauty, and subtlety. And we may notice in time if the house is burning down (autistic people are often highly sensitive to smell)!

#Autism #Sensory

Awesome symptom no. 2
Unusual empathy

For people, animals, and even objects!

This empathy, when felt and shown, can be very democratic, i.e., it doesn't exclude people/creatures who don't appear useful; who perhaps haven't succeeded well in life & who many would judge and write off.

#Autism #Empathy

Awesome symptom no. 3
Unusual perception

Differences in ways information is processed, combined with heightened levels of perception in some areas (e.g. when it comes to details and/or patterns), can lead to a lot of creativity, and unusual talents.

#Autism #Creativity #Perception

Awesome symptom no. 4
Feats of memory

Autistic people are often capable of remembering a vast amount of information on a topic of interest.

Note: the topic could be literally anything. There's no hierarchy! An in-depth interest in (and knowledge about) e.g. Pokemon or Avatar's world is just as valid as an intense interest in quantum physics, or Baroque composers.

#Autism #Memory #SpecialInterests

Awesome symptom no. 5
Hyper-focus

The capacity to focus on a single topic with all of one's mind/attention, and be practically un-distractable from it!

This ability to hyper-concentrate can lead to a high level of productivity, and even to new ground being explored.

#Autism #Focus

Awesome symptom no. 6
Perseverance

The ability to keep on at a specific task for extended periods of time... as we often have a great capacity for perseverance when working on tasks of interest to us.

Though these periods of hyper-activity generally need to be alternated with some proper down-time - something I call 'vegetation'. 🌿

#Autism #Perseverance

@KatyElphinstone I love the expression "vegetation". It has a quiet, peaceful feeling to it, while making clear that movement and verbal communication may not be wanted in that state. Also, recharging slowly (photosynthesis!).

After watching the movie "corner office", I started calling this recharge process "going into my room" or "starting at my favorite wall" to my husband.