I'm actually surprised that Greta Thunberg and her actions are not reviewed in more posts on this platform.
However, there's something about her that makes her special and that's her Asperger's syndrome. (Yes, I'm using the old nomenclature drawing a distinction between "classical" autism and Asperger's syndrome. Maybe I should write another post on this topic. I'm not about to make excuses for that choice now.)
As she speaks about her Asperger's syndrome in an open manner herself, I take the right to shine a light on some of the aspects she is referring to.
I'm using the plural here as I'm diagnosed with Asperger's too and can relate very much to what she talks about.
We don't socialise easily ...
Being focused on facts and inner anxiety is a barrier for each Asperger person when it comes to socialising. When it comes to discussions, decisions and spontaneous changes. What is often described as a lack of empathy simply means: we have to learn how other people feel the way normal people have to learn a foreign language: it's very difficult and some people fail forever.
Each of you probably knows a person who cannot master a second language and has problems to deal with the grammar of his native language. How do you explain to that person you are dealing with both easily? ;)
... but we do socialise in general
We need social contacts nonetheless. We need to discuss our ideas and find safeness in those talks. Also, we are keen to learn new stuff and have new experiences. Our brains need food too. ;)
We have trouble speaking freely
It has been mentioned in some newspapers that Greta is using snippets of former speeches again now and then.
Being handicapped when it comes to free and spontaneous speech is one of the "features" of Asperger's syndrome. Situations and phrases have to be learnt. This is one of the reasons why we fail at oral exams. We do not fail because we don't know the facts we should be talking about.
We have our own opinions about style
I have actually wondered how long it would take until someone would take notice of her braids. Of course it had to come from a German account. sigh
What is being ignored in that comparison is: having long hair braided is a very easy way to maintain long hair without having it coming in the way all the time. That's why it's suitable for an organisation who wants to educate girls the way the Bund Deutscher Mädel did. It's suitable for Greta because she has no inner need yet to outgrow children hairstyles. She probably wears those braids for ages and is largely accustomed to it. It's not a question of fashion as most Asperger's simply don't care about fashion. Or at least not at the age of 15/16.
We are sticking to rules
There's something crucial about rules in the life of a person with Asperger's. Rules are something one can stick to in a most insecure world. Actually, this is where a negative aspect of autism comes in. It's easier to live with us when you're accepting our rules from time to time.
Greta's parents are knowing that. That's why they give her the support she needs now. That's why she is wearing those braids.
A rule is something that a person with Asperger's can accustom to more easily than getting away from it. In most cases, it can only be replaced by a new rule. Which then is valid for ages again.
Sometimes it's easier to address something than to keep it to ourselves
After we have made up all those rules we would like to have other people sticking to them too. (This is where this "lack of empathy" thing comes in again.) Some Asperger's find relaxation in discussing this stuff largely. Being confronted with a clear break of what is regarded as a logical rule brings in pain sooner or later. It can be accepted by a person with Asperger's to some extent but at a certain threshold that person has to address that topic to find a solution from the dilemma.
And this is where the people around have to accept that Asperger's opinion. To grant him safety again.
Thanks for reading. :-)
P.S.: Both first tags are used for posts on Greta so I decided to use both. :) A German translation will follow soon.