As an autistic woman diagnosed age 40, who has worked with a variety of autistic students as a special Ed teacher, I’m glad you wrote this.
It’s a diverse spectrum.
Many of my autistic traits are considered part of my personality, and some are. But some are legit disabilities that I’m tired of people just pushing off to my personality.
Oh, I didn’t realize that person was teasing me and I’m always “oblivious” to people’s social hints, no that’s not a personality trait, that’s a legit thing I struggle with. That’s not who I am, it’s something I don’t enjoy much and don’t have control over.
Oh, I struggle with intense sensory issues to the point where it’s hard for me to wear most types of clothing, that’s not a personality trait, that’s not my sense of style, that’s a serious problem for me I’m living with everyday people don’t understand.
I feel like a lot of obvious signs of my condition have been written off as “cute and quirky” as I’m a girl. My autism has been read as some sort of manic pixie dream girls personality trait. I don’t identity with all of my autistic traits and it’s more than just my personality.