For the people who know me from my posts on here, I’ve received several mixed reviews from different people. If you’ve never read my posts, then I’d go check them out.
It’s obvious that I think differently from others on this site, but that shouldn’t stop me from telling people my thoughts/ideas. I’m not even bothered of what people say to me on here, but it’s just the same old responses and sometimes when I say something good, I get praised for it.
To clear up any confusion: I’m on the Autism/Asperger’s spectrum, but I’m high functioning because I can blend in with others easily. I also was on a gluten free diet and received different types of “help” along the way. Although, I’m still apart of the disability services at my college. I’ve grown up a lot ever since my diagnosis, but from the feedback that I’ve received on here so far, I thank you for you input. I know that you’re just trying to help me, which I appreciate.
Even if I shared too much info about me in this post, I felt like I needed to let you guys know why I posted the things that I did.
Strange coincidence-- I just came from a thread where you offered an idea that I disagreed with. Someone else had already made my point for me or I would have made it.
But here’s the thing: I disagreed with your idea, that’s all. I didn’t think it was the best approach to the problem presented. It wasn’t about you, it was about the idea you presented.
No one here gets uniform agreement, and that’s what makes this site such a great sounding board. Someone who has an issue can present it, get lots of pros and cons to whatever course of action he or she is considering. If we all agreed, this would be such a boring place to be!
I know it can be uncomfortable when you feel like you’re being shot down, but such is the nature of life and message boards.
I guess my point is this: don’t take it personally. It’s not about YOU, or being on the spectrum. Some of it is about being a kid, and not having the experience to consider all the possibilities that would occur to the parents who post here. The rest is about being human, and not always seeing the big picture.
So, to answer the question you posted in the title: OF COURSE you “deserve” to be here!!! Every thoughtful, polite opinion-- and as far as I can see, yours have been that-- adds to the discussion.
This is an anonymous site, not an issue of deserve. You post what you post, you are who you are. Not everyone who responds here is nice. You take your chances when you post on a site like this. However, most responders seem to want to be helpful.
Maybe stick around, but since you KNOW you have something that is usually associated with missing social cues, try to be less defensive when someone tells you something you’re doing isn’t appropriate? It seems like your first reaction is to deny that you could possibly be wrong (sarcastic “Sorry for thinking outside the box,” “You should just be happy I care about my roommate”).
It’s good practice for you and any misstep can be discussed. Probably a benefit for you to stay even though you occasionally receive constructive criticism. Everyone does and it’s no big deal.
This is a website where there are posters of different age groups. Some are students and others are parents with children who are currently attending or have attended college. Each of us comes with our own experience that can be of benefit to those who post questions on a thread. The resolutions proposed are going to vary and that is good for the person seeking help because they get to see things in a new perspective. It is for the poster to decide what advice to take or not to take. What may suit you may or may not be suitable for another person and that is where differences of opinion is ok. We take the advice we think will be helpful to us.
Just because someone has a different view than yours it doesn’t mean that they are attacking you. They are just providing a different perspective and it is ok to disagree. I think in one of your posts I responded and at the end I specifically said “This post was not meant to discourage you but to encourage you.” So going forward I would suggest to not take things personally. We all are trying to help you succeed and come up with a solution to any problems you may have so continue to post. I truly feel everyone here is trying to help one another be successful and to resolve issues.
There are many threads on this site and there are things that I have no clue about. I don’t post on those threads because I don’t have any solid advice that I can give but if I feel by posting I am adding value then I will try my best to help.
We all benefit from each others knowledge and experience so continue to post what is important to you.