let me start by saying i recently learned of my autism late in life, so i’ve had no awareness of some of my behaviors as autistic until recently.
it’s often said that people with autism have a strong personal sense of right and wrong. neurotypicals may label it as stubborn but i see it as principled. obviously, nts can have an equal sense of right and wrong, but it does appear to be uniquely within autism that it can present as a detriment. for example, i will often sabotage myself if it means i’ll be forced to do something i find reprehensible or objectionable, like i’d rather risk homelessness than take a job in health insurance if i was unemployed.
how has this affected you throughout your life?
for me it has been both a benefit and a massive hindrance. over time i have learned ways to recontextualize certain situations and circumstances, but there are areas i am simply unwilling to compromise on.
I may have missed a few job opportunities by refusing to lie on my resumé or in the interview.
In hindsight, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed working for a company that expects people to lie to get the job.
On the plus side, my investments in renewable energy (home solar, battery, EV, etc) because of my refusal to pay fossil fuel companies has already paid for itself.