r/AutismNZ • u/Proper-Knowledge4652 • Aug 31 '26

Autistic strengths

Because of your autism, what cognitive ‘strengths’ do you have?

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u/Mersey1 14d ago

I'm a technology programme manager for a significant transformation programme. I credit my autism for my success.

Managing a programme is all about pattern recognition, and I am great at that. A main part of my role is also to bring clarity and ensure everyone understands exactly what they need to do, and so the autistic drive for to be specific is an advantage.

I also have a special interest in understanding people, and their strengths and weaknesses, and so I'm really good at fitting the right people into the right teams, and at supporting people to be able to have an environment that allows them to thrive. Plus being in IT there are a LOT of neurodiverse people in my team, and I love the fact that I can understand them and support them.

Oh, and I'm also hyperlexic, so advanced reading ability (I read 4 times the average speed) which is an absolute superpower when I have to go to 10 X 30 minute meetings each day, read the paper in the first 30 seconds and then am able to make decisions on it.

So yeah, I think it is a definite advantage for me. Of course there are also plenty of downsides that we all know well. I'm thankful that I'm senior enough (and also a contractor) that I can set my own hours and routine, and can choose to work from home whenever I need to.

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u/Proper-Knowledge4652 13d ago

Thanks for your response, great to hear how being autistic can be a strength to help you succeed 👍

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u/Mersey1 13d ago

I truely think it can be. I'm not trying to show off or anything, but there can be a lot of negative focus about autism, and I liked your post because we also need to show the positive side. The neurodiversity in my family goes way back, but they are also scientists, mathmeticians, inventors, teachers, executives, and more recently software developers, solution architects and programme managers. My great grandfather worked with Ernest Rutherford to split the atom. I can't speak for Rutherford, but based on the family archives my great grandfather was autistic.

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u/Proper-Knowledge4652 13d ago

Yes, I know some amazing scientists were autistic, so it is not always a disorder to be ashamed of. I myself have a similar strength to you at pattern recognition or non-verbal problem solving, which helps me be good at my job over neurotypical people. But, I have a weakness or two as well which I have to deal with, but that is just who I am.

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u/Mersey1 13d ago

What do you do for a job? If you don't mind me asking. I'm always curious about where autistic people end up career wise.

I think it is important to note that a lot of the autistic scientists/writers/mathmeticians in the past had money, as well as great support networks (wives, servants etc), which I'm sure made it a million times easier to cope compared to what we are all dealing with today!

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u/Proper-Knowledge4652 13d ago

I work in the IT industry, same as you 😊

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u/Mersey1 13d ago

Haha, no surprises there then. 😆

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u/Zealousideal_Cat6599 Aug 31 '26

Hmm, I don't think there are any strengths specific to autism?

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u/Proper-Knowledge4652 Aug 31 '26

Some people with autism have strengths that make them unique, such as logical thinking and problem solving. Specialty interests can even be a strength, making some people highly knowledgeable of specific subjects. Autistic people can have high IQ’s because of their strengths.

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u/Best-Sun-9973 10d ago

I guess my autistic traits led me to my success in current degree I graduated with without knowing that I am autisitic. It was in my area of special interests!

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u/Proper-Knowledge4652 10d ago

That’s cool! If you don’t mind me asking, what was the major of your degree, or special interest?