Everyone in the workplace and in volunteer situations knows me as the person to ask if they have any kind of question. During an average day, I have half a dozen people come ask me for advice, because they know that if I don’t already know the answer, I know where to find it.
Of course, much like a stereotypical village wise person, there is a kind of social distance between me and other people. But I prefer it that way.
Autism makes my life very hard in some ways, but I do love my ability to create an internal encyclopedia on subjects I enjoy.
I don’t know if I feel ‘wise’ necessarily, though I do know a lot about tech-related stuff that I get asked questions about a lot by friends and co-workers. My largest drive to accomplish tasks is if I’m helping somebody. A person says “hey I can’t find this rare/niche thing I am trying to pirate online”, I know where to find it. “I need a volunteer for this booth on Saturday” and if my schedule is open, I am there 100%. So sometimes wisdom, sometimes just reliable and extra willing to help. Even if it takes me hours of searching to do it.
I think it’s part of the enhanced empathy many people on the spectrum report feeling. If I can make someone else’s life easier or make someone happy and also feel useful, it just naturally seems that’s what I should want to do.
Of course, I don’t do that for everyone, but outside of people I actively dislike, it applies to strangers irl and online too.
I feel this. I have come to realize that I really love helping. I assumed it was some kind of trauma response to childhood, but that never really jived with my recollections. I like the idea that it’s frankly just something I enjoy because of bigly empathy. Thanks for this point of view.