9 Positive Autistic Traits (that you may not already know!) | Patrons Choice

Summary

In this video from Asperger's from the Inside, Paul discusses nine positive traits commonly found in autistic individuals. These traits include attention to detail, persistence, creativity, honesty, non-judgmental attitudes, loyalty, empathy, flexibility, and a strong sense of justice. Paul emphasizes that while these traits can be strengths, they can also present challenges. The video highlights the diversity and unique strengths of autistic people, encouraging viewers to appreciate these traits and understand their dual nature as both strengths and potential weaknesses.

Takeaways

• 😊 Autistic people break stereotypes, with common traits that can surprise you.
• 🔍 Attention to detail is a well-known autistic trait, leading to specialized skill sets.
• 💪 Persistence is another trait, characterized by hyper-focus and high standards.
• 🎨 Creativity and thinking outside the box are common among autistic individuals.
• 🗣️ Autistic people value honesty and clear communication, avoiding unspoken assumptions.
• 🤝 They are non-judgmental and radically accepting of diversity.
• 👥 Loyalty is significant, with strong relationships being highly valued.
• 💔 High empathy is a myth; many autistic individuals feel they have too much empathy.
• 🌟 Flexibility, despite the stereotype of rigidity, allows for creative problem-solving.
• ⚖️ A strong sense of justice and fairness is prevalent, driving a desire for continual improvement.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on highlighting nine positive traits commonly found in autistic people, emphasizing their strengths and how they can be beneficial in various aspects of life.

What is the first positive autistic trait mentioned?

The first positive autistic trait mentioned is 'attention to detail,' which allows autistic individuals to excel in specialized areas and see things that others might miss.

How does the trait of 'attention to detail' manifest in autistic individuals?

It manifests as having specialized skills in particular areas of interest, often leading to high standards and a deep focus on these areas, sometimes at the expense of the bigger picture.

What is the second trait discussed in the video?

The second trait discussed is 'persistence,' which is related to hyperfocus and the difficulty autistic people often have in changing gears from one task to another.

How can the trait of persistence be both a strength and a weakness?

Persistence can be a strength as it demonstrates determination and the ability to stick with a task until it is completed to a high standard. However, it can also be a weakness when it leads to stubbornness or difficulty moving on to new tasks.

What does the video say about autistic people and creativity?

The video states that autistic people are often very creative, thinking outside the box and coming up with innovative solutions, which can be an asset in various fields such as art, music, and problem-solving.

How is the trait of honesty and directness beneficial in a work environment?

Honesty and directness ensure clear communication and transparency within a team, reducing assumptions and misunderstandings, which can lead to a more genuine and effective work culture.

What does the video mention about autistic people and being non-judgmental?

The video mentions that autistic people are often non-judgmental, accepting diversity and different ways of being without attaching value judgments, which fosters a more inclusive and accepting environment.

Why might autistic individuals be described as highly empathic despite common stereotypes?

Autistic individuals can be highly empathic because they notice small details and are sensitive to others' emotions. The misconception of lacking empathy may stem from difficulties in social communication and the 'double empathy problem.'

What is the ninth positive trait discussed, and what does it imply about autistic individuals?

The ninth positive trait is having a strong sense of justice, implying that autistic individuals are often very concerned with fairness and continuous improvement, striving to make society better and not accepting 'just because' as a valid reason for actions.

How does the video suggest that strengths and weaknesses are related in autistic traits?

The video suggests that every strength has a corresponding weakness. For example, attention to detail can mean missing the bigger picture, and persistence can lead to stubbornness. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing both aspects in autistic traits.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Introduction and Purpose

The video introduces nine positive autistic traits that are commonly found among autistic individuals, breaking stereotypes and highlighting strengths. The host, Paul, from 'Asperger's from the Inside,' aims to share the human side of autism. He emphasizes the importance of understanding these traits, which are unique to each person, contributing to the diversity of the autistic community. The focus is on the positives, despite acknowledging the downsides of being autistic.

05:03

🔍 Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is a well-known autistic trait. Many companies seek out autistic individuals for their exceptional attention to detail, which often translates into specialized skills and expertise in specific areas. Autistic people may have varying levels of intelligence and memory, but they consistently focus on details, sometimes at the expense of the bigger picture. This specialization can be a significant asset in the workplace.

10:06

🔍 Persistence and Hyper Focus

Persistence, related to hyper focus, is another positive trait. Autistic individuals often find it difficult to switch tasks, leading to deep, focused work on a single task. This can be perceived as stubbornness or rigidity but is driven by a desire for thoroughness and high standards. Autistic people often need a high level of certainty before moving on to the next step, which can result in exceptional quality and dedication in their work.

15:10

🎨 Creativity and Innovation

Creativity is a hallmark of many autistic individuals, who often think outside the box and innovate in various fields such as art, music, writing, and more. This trait, combined with attention to detail, allows autistic people to bring unique perspectives and solutions to teams and projects, making them valuable assets in creative and problem-solving roles.

🗣️ Honesty and Clear Communication

Autistic individuals are often known for their honesty and straightforwardness. They prefer clear, direct communication, avoiding unspoken assumptions and ensuring everyone is on the same page. This can be beneficial in team settings, fostering transparency and genuine interactions. However, it may sometimes come across as bluntness or social inappropriateness.

🤝 Non-Judgmental Attitude

Many autistic people are non-judgmental, often not recognizing societal norms or hierarchies. They tend to accept people as they are, without preconceived notions of good or bad. This radical acceptance of diversity can be a strength, promoting inclusivity and equality, but may sometimes result in missing social cues or expectations.

🤗 Loyalty in Relationships

Loyalty is a strong trait among autistic individuals. Building meaningful relationships can be challenging, so when they find genuine connections, they are deeply committed to maintaining them. This intense loyalty can be a strength but might also lead to staying in dysfunctional relationships longer than advisable due to a reluctance to let go.

🌟 High Empathy

Contrary to common belief, many autistic people experience high levels of empathy. They can be highly sensitive to others' emotions and may even feel overwhelmed by too much empathy. This sensitivity is sometimes misunderstood due to differences in social communication and expression.

🌐 Flexibility and Adaptability

Autistic individuals can be highly flexible, thinking outside the box and finding creative solutions. While they need structure and routine to function well, their openness to new ideas and systematic approaches to life make them excellent problem solvers. This flexibility contrasts with the stereotype of rigidity and resistance to change.

⚖️ Strong Sense of Justice

A strong sense of justice and fairness is common among autistic individuals. They often focus on rules and equality, driven by personal values of continual improvement and fairness. This trait can lead to challenging the status quo and advocating for better practices, although it might sometimes cause friction in hierarchical or traditional settings.

🎬 Conclusion and Call to Action

The video concludes by emphasizing that every strength can also be a weakness, depending on perspective. The host encourages viewers to focus on the positive traits of autistic individuals and recognize their potential. He thanks the Patreon community for their support and invites viewers to join the community to influence future content. The video ends with a call to comment on favorite autistic traits and a promise of more content in the future.

Keywords

💡Autistic traits

Characteristics commonly found among autistic individuals. These traits can include both strengths and challenges, such as attention to detail, persistence, and creativity. The video explores these traits in a positive light, highlighting how they contribute to the unique capabilities of autistic people.

💡Attention to detail

A common trait among autistic people, where they focus intensely on small details. This trait is valuable in many fields, as it allows individuals to notice things others might miss. In the video, attention to detail is mentioned as a strength that can be leveraged in the workplace.

💡Persistence

The ability to stick with tasks and not give up easily. In the context of the video, persistence is linked to hyperfocus and the difficulty of shifting attention from one task to another. This trait can be seen as both a strength and a potential challenge, as it can lead to high standards and thoroughness.

💡Creativity

The capacity to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas. Autistic individuals are often noted for their unique perspectives and ability to create new things in various fields such as art, music, and science. The video highlights creativity as a key positive trait.

💡Honesty

Being straightforward and direct in communication. The video emphasizes that autistic people often prefer clear and transparent communication, which can be beneficial in team settings. However, this trait can also come across as bluntness in social situations.

💡Non-judgmental

The tendency to accept others without preconceived notions or biases. The video illustrates this with an example where the speaker doesn't judge people based on their appearance or behavior. This trait promotes inclusivity and acceptance of diversity.

💡Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Contrary to the common myth that autistic people lack empathy, the video explains that many autistic individuals actually experience heightened empathy, making them very sensitive to others' emotions.

💡Flexibility

The ability to adapt and think creatively about new solutions. Despite stereotypes that autistic people are rigid, the video argues that they can be extremely flexible in their thinking and problem-solving. This trait helps in generating innovative ideas and solutions.

💡Sense of justice

A strong belief in fairness and equity. The video suggests that many autistic individuals have a heightened sense of justice, often advocating for fair treatment and continual improvement in various aspects of life. This trait can drive efforts towards social change and betterment.

💡Special interests

Intense focus on specific topics or activities. Autistic individuals often develop deep knowledge and skills in their areas of interest, which can be beneficial in both personal and professional contexts. The video refers to these special interests as part of the attention to detail trait.

Highlights

Autistic people often possess a strong attention to detail, a trait that many companies seek to leverage in the workplace.

The ability to hyper-focus is a common trait, leading to persistence and high standards in areas of interest.

Autistic individuals are often creative and think outside the box, contributing innovative ideas in various fields.

Honesty and direct communication are typical, leading to clear and transparent interactions.

Autistic people tend to be non-judgmental, embracing diversity and ignoring hierarchical structures.

Loyalty is a strong trait, resulting in deep commitment to relationships and organizations.

The myth of autistic people lacking empathy is debunked, with many experiencing high levels of empathy.

Autistic individuals often exhibit flexibility, finding creative solutions outside of conventional norms.

A strong sense of justice and fairness drives autistic people to seek continual improvement and fairness.

Every autistic strength can also be perceived as a weakness, depending on perspective.

Attention to detail may lead to missing the bigger picture.

Persistence can be seen as stubbornness or rigidity.

Creativity often results in non-conformity and disregard for social norms.

Honesty and directness can sometimes appear blunt and tactless.

Loyalty might lead to difficulties in ending unproductive relationships.

Empathy, while high, can lead to sensitivity and overwhelm.

Flexibility requires structure and stability to function effectively.

A strong sense of justice may cause individuals to challenge norms and 'rock the boat.'

Transcripts

Nine Positive Autistic traits.

Nine Traits of autism that  you may not already know.

Autistic people tend to break all the stereotypes,  

but there are some traits that  almost all of us have in common.

Some may be familiar to you,  others may surprise you.

Just wait till we get to number seven and eight.

Welcome to today's Patron's Choice  video from Asperger's from the Inside.

You're here with Paul and I make weekly  videos sharing the human side of autism,  

so make sure you hit Subscribe  to get the latest content.

So ever since discovering I was on the  spectrum a couple of years ago, I've met  

lots and lots of other autistic people.

And what I've noticed is that there are some  traits that almost all of us have in common.

So I really don't like to exaggerate, but it's  no exaggeration to say that most, if not all,  

autistic people I've ever met have most, if not  all, of the traits we're about to talk about.

So exactly how these traits are expressed  are uniquely different for every person,  

and that's part of what makes the  beautiful diversity of our community.

But there are some strengths  that a lot of us have.

So this video is based on strength and positives.

There are also downsides to being autistic,  

as you may know, but this video  really focuses on those positives.

Okay, trait number one, attention to detail.

This is probably the autistic trait that  is most well known, most well understood.

There are billion dollar companies around  the world trying to leverage the strengths of  

autistic people in the workplace by looking  for those unique individuals that have a  

fantastic attention to detail  and can really bring a lot to  

the company and see things  that other people don't see.

So part of this means that we tend  to have specialised skill sets.

So rather than being having our  attention everywhere and being  

able to do everything equally, we  tend to focus on one or 2 things.

Sometimes they're called special interests,  

and our attention to detail in those areas means  that we have specialised skills in those areas.

This does not mean we all fall  into the autistic savant category.

Most of us are nowhere near that. We  have the entire range of intelligence.

Some of us are above average.

Some of us are below average.

Some of us have incredible memory.

Some of us have incredible memory for some things,  and incredibly poor memory for other things.

So our special skills range across the whole  spectrum of all of the traits of humanity.

But we do often focus our attention on the  detail missing the rest of the picture.

So this brings us to the second positive  autistic trait, which is being persistent.

And this relates to hyper focus  

and sticking on one thing and not being very good  at letting it go and moving on to the next thing.

So I know for myself it takes a lot of energy  

to change gears from doing one  thing to doing the next thing.

So that means that once I get into  the groove of doing one thing,  

letting it go, putting it down  becomes really, really difficult.

So this links back into the  attention to detail that if I'm  

focused on one thing, I might be called  stubborn, I might be called rigid.

People might say that my interests are  very narrow and I'm not willing to look  

outside that. This often looks like being very  passionate and having extremely high standards.

So I know for myself before I can feel  confident with something I need to have  

about a 99% confidence level before I think  that I know something and what I've noticed that  

the neurotypicals around me, if they're about  60 to 70% sure, then they go with that decision.

Whereas I feel like I need to keep looking,  keep asking the question, and be very, very,  

very sure before I'm happy to say, yep, that's  done and actually move on to the next step.

This might have something to do with having a  lifetime of rejection and having the internal  

message that, well, maybe if I succeed then finally, people might accept me.

So the next positive autistic trait is  being creative, thinking outside the box,  

ignoring social expectations, being  innovative, creating new things.

And this could be in any area of  life, it might be art or music or  

dancing or writing or philosophy, you name it.

I guarantee you can find an autistic  person who's creative in that area.

So this is really fantastic  from a work perspective.

When you couple this with our attention to  detail, we can think outside the box from  

a fresh perspective and bring something to  a team that would otherwise not be there.

And this is one of the reasons that  there are so many really big companies  

looking explicitly for autistic  people to join their teams.

The next trait is being honest, straightforward,  

direct, requiring - and giving - really, really clear communication.

So some people say that the reason they do  this is that it's just way too hard to lie.

The kind of social skills that you need to  try and figure that out is really difficult.

So we don't like unspoken things.

It's so much simpler if we just speak something  out loud and then everyone is on the same page.

So again, in a work situation, this can  be really beneficial for the whole team,  

because instead of making assumptions, I  would much rather see those things written  

out and check my assumptions to make  sure that everyone is on the same page.

And we have extremely clear communication  between all of the team members.

So this often takes more time because we  need to go back and check our understanding.

But it leads to a culture of transparency  

where everyone can be genuine  and actually say what they mean  

rather than saying what they think is socially  appropriate or acceptable in the situation.

So that means that we'll often put a hand  up and say "something's not right here"

and this, again, can be a real asset  

to a Corporation where you need people  to actually say what they think.

And I think one of the reasons for this that  I've observed is that autistic people tend to  

have this need to be really genuine  and authentic to themselves,  

which means that rather than just  following along with other people  

and doing what is socially expected, we tend  to be more comfortable going out on our own.

And this goes back to the creativity point.

I would much rather create something  entirely new and do it by myself  

than just go along with what is already happening  and say and do what everyone around me is doing.

So that makes it easier for me to  say what I think because I'm less  

concerned about saying the right thing or  saying the same thing as everyone else.

And as you may also see, sometimes  this means that I might come across  

as blunt or possibly socially inappropriate  because I actually named the elephant in  

the room that everyone else knew  wasn't supposed to be talked about.

Trait number five is being non-judgmental, and  what this looks like is just having no clue  

that one thing is supposed to  be good or supposed to be bad.

I just look at things and think that's a thing.

I remember I was on a business trip  to camera speaking to all of the  

ministers and senators about autism advocacy,  and we were sitting in the canteen and there  

were a couple of women who were dressed  as if they were going to the horse races.

So I don't know if this is across every  culture, but especially Melbourne in Australia,  

people, especially women, really dress  up and go and watch horse racing.

So this is really elaborate, colorful  costumes, big hats and feathers and things.

When I saw these two,  

I didn't really think anything of it  because it didn't mean anything to me.

It wasn't even out of place.

It took one of my neurotypical colleagues  to say, "Oh, that's a bit weird

I wonder what they're doing".

Whereas for me I was so out of place,  

everything didn't make sense that I  didn't even question what was going on.

It was just fine.

It was just a thing.

Why would I judge it as good or  bad, or even notice that it was  

different? So how this plays out is a lot of  us tend to be radically accepting of diversity,  

especially within the autism community,  because we're all so different from each other.

The only way we can coexist is to  be radically accepting of diversity,  

especially within our own community.

The other thing this means is that I often  forget to respect hierarchical power structures,  

which means that I will talk to a  CEO the same as I might talk to the  

person, you know, begging for money on the street.

And I forget that I'm supposed to treat these  two people differently, because in my mind,  

aren't we all just human anyway, so that  it can be a real strength, and it can also  

come across as a little bit weird  and sometimes socially inappropriate.

In some situation,  

the next trait is being loyal.

It's hard to make friends,  it's hard to find friends.

It's hard to build the kind of relationship  that is actually worthwhile having.

So a lot of autistic people  prefer to spend time alone, and  

sometimes that's because finding other  people to spend time with who actually,  

like doing the same thing, or it's a genuinely  positive experience can be quite difficult.

So when you find a person or an  organisation or your employer  

or someone that treats you really well and it's  a really good relationship, we can work really,  

really hard to keep that because it's so  hard to find another solution that fits.

Unfortunately, intense loyalty also  means that we might not be so good  

at ending relationships that we probably should.

So that could mean going along with  a dysfunctional relationship or  

staying in a situation longer than we should,  

because someone else would have just left  because we're not being treated properly.

So trait number seven is being highly empathic.

Now you might think, Wait, what  aren't autistic people supposed  

to lack empathy? Isn't that what everyone  says? Actually, we know that that's a myth.

There was an online survey run by Chris Bonello  from Autistic Not Weird not that long ago,  

and he actually found that a lot of people  say that they feel like they have too much  

empathy, and that is actually a problem  compared to not having enough empathy.

So another way to think about  this is that we can be really  

sensitive to some things, and this  makes sense when you think about it

through the frame of attention to  detail, we notice small things

we can get affected by small things.

One of the reasons that people think we  lack empathy is something called the double  

empathy problem, that it's hard to relate to  someone who's very, very different to you.

But on the other hand, think  about someone like Temple Grandin.

So she had this amazing ability to  understand and connect with cows that the  

neurotypicals around her just  couldn't really understand.

But at the same time, if you're relating to  cows as much as you are relating to humans,  

then that probably says that you're not really as  close to your fellow human beings as you could be.

In fact, this was why sometimes, Asperger's  is called Wrong Planet Syndrome, because some  

people literally asked the question, Am I the same  species as the people around me? Or was I somehow  

accidentally dropped here by aliens? And now I  have to learn how to get along with the natives.

So the other interesting thing that  happens when you're really empathic  

is that you see the real  person that is talking to you.

So if you're talking to me and you're sad,  

but you're pretending to be happy because  that's the socially appropriate thing to do.

Then I will respond to you as if you're sad,  and that makes people feel really uncomfortable

sometimes. I was supposed to know that  if you're pretending to be happy,  

I should treat you as if you're happy  and pretend I can't see the sad.

So it took me a long time to learn that  just because someone is actually sad,  

if they're saying they're happy,  I need to pretend they're happy.

And that just blew my mind.

But unfortunately, these kinds of complicated  social dynamics lead a lot of autistic people to  

feel like we don't understand other people's  emotions because I thought you were sad

but you're telling me that you're  happy and there's no congruence there.

Actually, you're probably right.

There is often no congruence between a  person's actual state and their actual actions.

But this is just a really complicated  social thing that we need to learn.

So number eight is that I have found that,  ironically, autistic people tend to be extremely  

flexible which, again, this goes  completely against the common wisdom  

that we're supposed to be rigid and not  liking change and all of these things.

But again, if you think about  it, if we think outside the box,  

find creative solutions, ignore the social  norms around us, then anything is possible.

I'm not going to do something  because I'm supposed to

I can do absolutely anything.

So when especially when you combine this  with difficulty judging whether something  

is a good idea or a bad idea, it's just  an idea, and I'm happy to think about it.

This means that we need structure  and stability and routine  

and order and all of these things so  that we can actually function in life.

Otherwise anything is possible.

And I have no idea where to start.

So another positive that comes  out of flexibility is that it  

means a lot of us have learned a  very systematic approach to life.

So that means that I will get all the information  

and put it through my system  and come up with an answer.

And this has great benefit for problem  solving and rational thinking and  

structure and organising things.

And it actually comes from that need  for structure because I'm so flexible  

that I need to make a structure  for myself so that I can function.

So number nine is having a  very strong sense of Justice.

Now, this might come from a  lifetime of being treated unfairly.

Who knows? But I find that a lot of us  really get stuck on rules and fairness.

Perhaps if you're a parent, you may  have come across this phenomenon.

For me personally, it's really hard to let  things go when I know they could be better.

So a personal value of mine  is continual improvement.

This goes hand in hand with seeing society and  seeing how people work together and thinking  

that is not okay in the future.

We need to keep doing better.

So the answer of 2it's just  because that's how we do it",

"Because I said so"

All of those kind of answers just  are not a good enough reason.

I need to know that there's  

a process and a fairness and a justice to what we're  doing and that we're getting better at doing that.

So I guess the message with that  is, do not underestimate us.

The autistic people I know are some of the  most hardworking, persistent, determined  

people that I know, which means that we will keep  going and keep trying until things get better.

And now for the most important lesson -  we've seen nine strengths, nine positive traits.

It's important to realise that every strength  is in itself a weakness and vice versa.

So the question then becomes, Which one do  you see? Do you see the strength or do you  

see the corresponding weakness? Let's take  the positive traits we've just heard about.

Attention to detail means that  I miss the bigger picture.

Persistence equals stubbornness.

Being creative means that I don't conform.

Being honest and direct means  that I can be blunt and tactless.

Being non-judgemental means that I can  have really poor social judgement.

Being loyal means that I might not be  able to manage relationships properly

and I'll cling to a relationship that's not  working instead of figuring out how to fix it.

Being empathic also means  that I'm highly sensitive,

being flexible means that I need  a lot of structure and stability

and having a really strong sense of  justice means that I often rock the boat

and not everyone likes that.

So as you can see, black and white  both occur in the same picture.

And the real question is, Which one are you going  to focus on? So we might leave it there for today.

Thanks to our Patreon Community  for voting for this topic.

If you'd like to have your say in  next month's Patron's Choice video,  

you can become a Cup of coffee supporter of  this channel for less than a dollar a week.

So thanks for watching.

Make sure you leave a comment telling  us what your favourite autistic trait is,  

and we'll see you again next week.

Bye.