Autistic people outnumbering normal people...what happens?

Question

A hypothetical question that is not intended to insult or cause panic: suppose in the distant future, autism is so widespread that people with autism outnumber normal people. (Neither low-functioning nor high-functioning autism dominates.) How would this affect...

- education?

- relationships?

- jobs?

- the military?

- laws?

- society/the economy in general?

This is for a story I am working on. Please no one copy it. Answers are appreciated.

Answer 1

At least people will shut up.

Answer 2

Life and society and other people stupidity.

Answer 3

Having autism myself I have thought about this a lot. Essentially I believe that NT's (neurotypicals, "normal people") would be thought of as disabled.

Education would improve for autistics as their needs are more fully understood, but NT's may start slipping without being able to cope with a predominately autistic class.

Relationships would become much easier for autistics as they would be living with people who understand them, and would be more compatible.

Due to the obsessiveness and specific interest's of autism, jobs would become much more streamlined and filled by people who want the jobs. Unemployment could become a problem due to people who would work purely to make businesses more efficient. NT's would probably mostly end up in physical work as many would be able to compete with the very acute abilities of some autistics.

The military is quite a tough one, but in the event of a war there would be many problems due to sensory difficulties. Wars could be started because of an inability to see others point of view (so just like modern leaders then).

Laws could change, though I can't personally think of any specific ones right now.

The economy would probably grow fast, fueled by technological advances, but may leave the severely autistic behind. There may be a large rich poor divide between the highs (high functioning and aspergers" and the lows (low functioning and NT's). This may even create a class system based on ability as opposed to lineage. In the most extreme this may erupt into a race war of types, Auties versus NT's.

I hope this is useful. Good luck with the story, it sounds very interesting.

(PS. would you mind if I used my post on my blog?)

Answer 4

If it happened gradually, It would have no effect on society.

People can adapt to anything.