This is a really fascinating comment, I’m aware of sickle cell being a problem, but it’s surprising that there may be an advantage to having it. I’ve opened up the link in a new tab (one of the many) to read later

diversity makes communities stronger.

This is so important, not just from an autism perspective, I think I read once, long ago on the internet, that having a gay sibling would be a benefit for the non gay siblings offspring, in the same way that the grandmothers being around to help find extra food, provide care would mean a greater chance of survival

There has to be an evolutionary reason/explanation that gay people exist, and the fact that other animal and bird species will have same sex partnerships (and rear an abandoned egg to fledged juvenile in the case of the gay zoo penguins)

I also love the ‘canaries in the coal mine’ analogy, I think that the more people discover they are neurodiverse the better.

I only found out as an adult, and if I hadn’t seen the Chris Packham documentary and met another autistic woman I’d still be none the wiser (and struggling massively)

I’ve really enjoyed reading your comments, I’ll check out the link and post later on when I come back from work!