AIBU to feel conflicted about Elon Musk having ASD?

[Apparentlychanged]

Elon Musk announced he has Asperger's disorder on SNL. On one hand I'm glad someone famous is openly stating that they are on the spectrum, but on the other, I feel that it perpetuates a stereotype of people with ASD being male tech gurus with a serious case of 'being a bit of an asshole'. AIBU to think that way? Should I just be happy for more representation?

Stereotypes are always based on generalisations. So it’s ridiculous to be upset when someone is stereotypically ASD...because they do in fact exist.

You shouldn't really feel any way tbh.

He is who he is and was open about it.

Why should he have to hide it for the sake of not perpetuating a stereotype?

It might help perpetuate the stereotypes but he can’t help that. He’s a tech genius and frankly a twat who also has Aspergers.
The more people that acknowledge it the better no matter who they are

I don't think I feel either way about it really. Diagnosed or not he is who he is with or without a label.

I have no issue with him being honest about his condtion.

My only problem comes when people see news like that and then use it as a “this shows what people with autism can achieve” bollocks. No it shows what one person has achieved. For many it’s miles off what they are going to achieve (but their achievements will still be massive and important to them)

I think it's amazing what he's achieved and I liked this quote (taken from BBC):

"Look, I know I sometimes say or post strange things, but that's just how my brain works," he said.

"To anyone who's been offended, I just want to say I reinvented electric cars, and I'm sending people to Mars in a rocket ship. Did you think I was also going to be a chill, normal dude?"

I think 'have' wasn't the right word. I kind of meant more 'announced', or something. The way he announced it was a little self-important, and he said he was the first SNL host with Asperger's, which is inaccurate.

I'm not upset, just bemused. It would be nice to know more celebrities who were a bit more like me, but I suppose more representation is a good thing.

I feel that it perpetuates a stereotype of people with ASD being male tech gurus with a serious case of 'being a bit of an asshole'.

This isn't something he has chosen to do, which would in fact buy into a stereotype. This is him. It's who he is. It's not a choice. He can't 'un- Asperger' so as not to fit a stereotype.

My teen dc with autism/Asperger loves to hear of successful people who have autism. She has a list! She independently looked them up and It really helped her through her diagnosis and gives her belief that she can achieve too. She felt there was something wrong with her before, now she realises others are like her. It's helped her not be ashamed of her diagnosis. I think celebs being open about their diagnosis helps society with some of the stereotypes or treating people like my dc as limited in what they can achieve. Obviously others have different ideas and experiences but that's mine (and my dcs).

Hes not a fictional character. He has aspergers and he is a male tech guru who can be 'a bit of an arsehole', should he hide his aspergers so he doesn't perpetuate a stereotype?

@Apparentlychanged

I think 'have' wasn't the right word. I kind of meant more 'announced', or something. The way he announced it was a little self-important, and he said he was the first SNL host with Asperger's, which is inaccurate.

I'm not upset, just bemused. It would be nice to know more celebrities who were a bit more like me, but I suppose more representation is a good thing.

I’ve not seen how he announced it but again he’s a twat full of his own self importance. But surely it’s a good thing if him telling the world helps others that might be struggling and then more people may feel comfortable enough to disclose. It would be nice to normalise ASD and autism rather than see it as ‘other’.

I know what you mean I suppose.

I work in IT and a lot of men who behave like dicks are excused with oh maybe he's on the spectrum etc.

What, half the men I work with? And how does that explain the difference in behaviour towards women and men they don't rate, and those they do and their bosses?

My brother is useless and everyone says oh maybe he's got xyz. No he's just a spoilt little sod. I'm his sister we have always been close. I mean. Meh

I also have concerns about how the norm is decided. I don't think we know much about brains. If someone struggles a lot then yes. But this sort of. Things that are not uncommon. I think the idea of normal needs expanding rather than labelling people.

I say this as someone who I've discovered in the last decade or so just is a bit odd and has always not really understood a lot of stuff that others do and what not. Also I have a lifelong physical disability and I think that in the end the ideas around norms are way way too narrow and also sexist etc.

Elon musk is a dick I've thought that for years. He's a nightmare to work for apparently. What he's done is mind boggling obviously but.... The satellites stuff re astronomers really fucked me off.

If he is claiming to represent people with ASD he should know some people don't like the term Aspergers due to links with Nazis.

@ThatIsMyPotato

If he is claiming to represent people with ASD he should know some people don't like the term Aspergers due to links with Nazis.

If that's his diagnosis he is perfectly entitled to use it and should not have to change it to suit others.

Meh. He is still an unrepentent twat.

I am glad to see him hosting it, it's good to see examples of someone with Asperger's who is able to work, have a wife and child, be uncomfortable in public, but still succeed.
It's another person who reminds us that when we harness our interests and energy, great things can happen.
He has overcome an abusive father, and the struggles of ASD to achieve so much, and inspire so many.
He was inaccurate, as Dan Akroyd did it first, but it doesn't diminish what Elon has achieved.

I don’t care about him he’s annoying.

But yes it make me roll my eyes - rightly or wrongly I though FFS not another self obsessed asshole who wants to claim autism as a shield for rubbish behaviour and opinions. I don’t know if I’m being unfair, as anyone can have autism and anyone can say that, it’s their right. It just feels tactical.

And maybe I’m particularly sensitive as DS is autistic and sometimes I feel that the word is being bandied around so much it is demeaning his experience. Rather than helping him being more accepted, it seems to have become so broad in definition that for DS, the word autism some people use is light years away from his.

Who knows though, maybe he’ll put some money in to help people like DS and I’ll eat my words.

YABVU

But yes it make me roll my eyes - rightly or wrongly I though FFS not another self obsessed asshole who wants to claim autism as a shield for rubbish behaviour and opinions.

He doesn't 'want to claim' - he IS autistic. It's who he is.

And maybe I’m particularly sensitive as DS is autistic and sometimes I feel that the word is being bandied around so much it is demeaning his experience.

Your son is autistic. Nothing will change his 'experience' - he is who he is.

YABVU to talk about the word being 'bandied' about when it is in the absolute correct ct context here of a person who has Aspergers

I think public, successful people talking about things like this help. It shouldn't be hidden, something to be ashamed of. It just is.

I'm sure his announcement won't help everyone. I would be surprised on current record if he turned philanthropic. If it helps some to understand, accept, be inspired etc. Then surely that's a good thing?

Elon Musk isn’t that bad. I have met him several times in real life.

Yanbu but I cheered when I heard the news. One more sucessful story, and putting autism in the news.

I think its great