If you're autistic, can I ask you a question?

[Jammiedogers]

Just a curious question.

I'm diagnosed autistic and work with a lot of autistic teens. Each and every one of them are genuinely wonderful but I have a reputation among them for being gullible. Since they are so wonderful, they never use this info for nefarious purposes (at least I think 🤔😂).

But I'm kind of curious how many autistic people are gullible Vs how many aren't.

Please don't remind me of the whole once you've met one autistic person, you've met one.... I know all of this.

Just wondering how much of a trait it is.

Yes I agree with this.

I doubt I'd fall for an Internet scam as I am aware of them and am quite suspicious of that of thing.

However I often just believe the words people say, I was a very anxious child as people would always say things to me that didn't end up being true. For example, a parent dropping me off at nursery saying "I won't be long and I'll be back to pick you up" I'd be to scared to take my coat off as I'd be expecting my parent back soon. Because of this I always tell my children the exact time I'm picking them up so there is no ambiguity.

My DH had some training at work that stated when dealing with customers don't say "I'll check with amanager and be back in one minute" as it can make people with autism anxious when you aren't back straight away (or something to that effect). When he told me that I was quite surprised that anyone would say "I'll be back in a minute" when they have no intention of being gone for only 1 minute.

Me too.

When I was younger, I was a people pleaser but I realise now that this was how I dealt with trauma and didn't want any conflict.
I may have come across as 'gullible' but I think it most situations I could tell if something didn't look or feel right.

Standing for myself has always been an issue but at least I understand why now. I think trauma and lived experience has changed me.

I don’t think I’d get seriously conned but with regard to people/friendships/relationships definitely. I spent 23 years in an abusive marriage. I’d like to think I’m more wary now, but not so long ago a friend had to extricate me from a friendship in which I was being used as a general dogsbody.

I’m definitely more gullible than others. However, since I hit my 30’s, I have learnt to question things more, so I think as we age, we do learn to be less gullible.

People still catch me out though!

I think because a lot of people with autism tell the truth as they are factual and then expect the same from NT people who actually seem to lie all the time about little things so I’ve definitely seen with my dc that they believe everything which can lead to them being perceived as ‘gullible’

I don't think I'm gullible but I do get confused by jokes and sarcasm a lot. My DH knows that if he makes a sarcastic comment then he needs to tell me he's being sarcastic immediately afterwards or I will take him at his word.

Autistic and I don’t think I’m very gullible, I’m naturally pretty sceptical.

Actually having said DS is gullible, I would say he’s immune to charm. No one is going to sell him a bridge, unless the technical specs are clear, the online bridge forum is telling him it’s good value, and he happens to need a bridge.

DH and DS are immune to social contagion.

My son is autistic and is very gullible and it really worries me!

Yes, history of being gullible, but I've been caught out too often now, and don't really trust anyone's motives any more. It took a very long time, but I have learned to say 'no' now.

I'm late diagnosed autistic and yes, I'm very gullible at times. I trust people at face value and it really ends up biting me in the end more often than not.

i am sure this was posted out of innocent curiosity. But i think asking autistic people to come an identify themselves as gulliable does carry a risk to those people.

Im am sorry to those enjoying the chat as i seem a total killjoy, but it doesnt sit right with me.

I'm a support worker so work with people with higher needs and yes overall they can be gullible and like to please. It's a big reason why we are there for them to stop them being taking advantage of or believing any story they hear.
But its levels isn't it, I know many people who function without support who aren't gullible at all.

I am not gullible about most things - but I do tend to believe people if they tell me things and I have no reason to doubt them. I was working part time in a local pub and was told there was going to be a competition for the best mince pies... I had no reason to doubt it and I make excellent mince pies, so I took some in... I think I was the only person.

Yes this. Autistic people say what they mean and mean what they say. Allistics operate on hidden meaning.

Gosh this thread has been so eye opening. I always trust people and take what they say at face value so am fairly naive in that respect. My husband, also autistic (however undiagnosed), is more skeptical by nature (thanks to his OCD, anxious father) and so he protects me somewhat from precarious situatoons.