lpwaterhouse

autism101 , 12 hours ago to actuallyautistic

Do you form deep connections with animals or do you find them unpredictable and anxiety producing?

image: @autism_sketches
ko-fi.com/autismsketches

#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD @actuallyautistic

lpwaterhouse , 4 hours ago

@autism101 @actuallyautistic Dogs are anxiety-inducing (I hate dominance-driven pack animals, they will "disobey" when they perceive you've lost your leadership position; Fuck that, I got enough stress with humans already); Cats have exactly my vibe (Be an independent agent, do your own thing, interaction based on mutual respect, cohabitates with you out of their own free will); Small animals seem to not be afraid of me (I've had wild field mice cuddle up to my naked feet; No question they were aware I am a large animal), which I find quite cute; Big animals I don't particularly care about.

theautisticcoach , 8 months ago to actuallyautistic

Do my #ActuallyAutistic comrades find themselves having deep & significant empathy for others in general, but much less for those closest to them?

If so, you are not alone.

Why do we think this is?

#AskingAutistics @actuallyautistic

lpwaterhouse , 8 months ago

@theautisticcoach @actuallyautistic Almost the opposite. I have a lot of empathy plus a willingness to go through hell and high water for my chosen family. For strangers though? While I have strong principles, think Human Rights, or, better, TNG-era Starfleet officer, I don't empathize more than symbolically when someone hits their nail with a hammer (I'll help, because that's the right thing to do, no need to actively decide to, but empathy? no...)

lpwaterhouse , 8 months ago

@theautisticcoach @actuallyautistic It might be an interesting data-point: I am a dominant sadist; which kind of implies that even for chosen family I do not "share/feel their pain" in the sense usually meant by "empathy", at least not automatically and all the time.