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Abuse and Autism

Autistic traits can contribute to being abused and exploited by others, as the following survey data suggest:
Half of [UK] autistic adults 'abused by someone they trusted as a friend'

A startling 44% of those questioned admitted they stayed indoors as much as possible for fear of being harassed. Almost a third reported having had money or possessions stolen, while 37% had been forced or manipulated into doing something they didn't want to do by someone they thought of as a friend. Almost half (49%) of the 1,300 people surveyed reported having been abused by someone they thought of as a friend.
Being bullied is, unfortunately, part of life for many people. The small, the weak, the different, will be bullied. There might be evolutionary and cultural explanations for power dynamics, but we should resist our worst natures.

I'm less and less trusting, but it took me more than 40 years to realize how many people have no moral compass. I still make mistakes, assuming the best of people and their intentions. In the arts, I've also come to realize people dream big and ask for time, energy, and money… but that's not because they intend to take advantage of anyone. It's important to recognize "zealous optimism" versus genuine manipulators.
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