tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52505931508441034842024-02-19T17:09:36.601-06:00Autism - Sensory OverloadOne Woman's Experience Living on The SpectrumUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-15403620633338912822014-09-22T20:23:00.000-05:002014-09-22T20:23:07.722-05:00Autism Simulation<br />
Here's another one of those simulations to give you an idea of what it is like to be autistic. It's quite short but I think it does a pretty good job of illustrating the disorder.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ACLV9hytZb0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-62685193090251268732014-09-03T00:56:00.000-05:002014-09-03T00:56:53.813-05:00The Real Autism Experts<br />Salon.com posted a story about new research that is taking a different approach to the way researchers look at autistics. Rather than viewing autistics as deficient because they don't like to be in crowded places, for example, researchers are now looking at the aversion to crowds as a symptom, not a deficit of something else. Information overload, for example.<br />
<br />
The piece was well written and the information brought up in the article sounds a lot like the Intense World Theory.<br />
<br />
The comments is what got me. It's always the comments, isn't it?<br />
<br />
One lady who didn't seem to like the paper felt that researchers should start talking to the Real Autism Experts™, the parents.<br />
<br />
Not the autistics, the people who live it, but the parents who "deal with Autism 24/7/365."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mdU8mn6vUUanp0nDO2g0PZw3y6QCWV42wWYWrizIDTsaa3KI2IgMlW2XLcVRs7rd5LnnAKmjHsO1Mhu0qSHLdfaHbcSFMBICi7xyg5PccEmLzpHYAbGpLzOeFNu3BA7eKIecf5UQIU5e/s1600/Salon-real-autism-experts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mdU8mn6vUUanp0nDO2g0PZw3y6QCWV42wWYWrizIDTsaa3KI2IgMlW2XLcVRs7rd5LnnAKmjHsO1Mhu0qSHLdfaHbcSFMBICi7xyg5PccEmLzpHYAbGpLzOeFNu3BA7eKIecf5UQIU5e/s1600/Salon-real-autism-experts.png" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The other message also rubs me the wrong way. On the one hand I understand the poster had good intentions when the whole "autistics are people too" angle. But don't you see, if you have to work that hard to prove that I'm a person, you have much bigger problems then sentence construction.<br />
<br />
<br />
Salon article:<br />
<a href="http://www.salon.com/2014/09/01/we_might_have_autism_backwards_what_broken_mirror_and_broken_mentalizing_theories_could_have_wrong/">We might have autism backwards: What “broken mirror” and “broken mentalizing” theories could have wrong </a><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-81596952032589585592014-06-20T01:33:00.002-05:002014-06-20T01:33:27.059-05:00Image of Neurotypical Brain Compared to an Autistic Brain The Autcast shared this photo on Facebook. I loved it so I copied it here.<br />
<br />
The image below shows a typical brain on the left and an autistic brain on the right. I find the autistic brain to be more organized and beautiful. It looks healthier to me. The typical brain looks scattered and disorganized.<br />
<br />
One thing I am not sure about is whether these are supposed to be viewed as mirror images, or is the autistic brain really wired backwards when compared to a typical brain. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqhjPyFcaBY4T3AaVh0MxyPEmZIFGHoLyyRJFoLIOmnlzwbk-y-7_Ij7d9_IxNK75E7AA1mocE2HG4L5Wo5bx4DuHCiZXO1JqmTiUo4zby2xdxgtdk3cJT9rstOOyR-9f1xafOOdtckN2/s1600/nt-vs-autistic-brain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqhjPyFcaBY4T3AaVh0MxyPEmZIFGHoLyyRJFoLIOmnlzwbk-y-7_Ij7d9_IxNK75E7AA1mocE2HG4L5Wo5bx4DuHCiZXO1JqmTiUo4zby2xdxgtdk3cJT9rstOOyR-9f1xafOOdtckN2/s1600/nt-vs-autistic-brain.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/picture-galleries/10902852/In-pictures-Images-of-the-brain-taken-by-scientists-at-University-of-Edinburgh.html?frame=2943390">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/picture-galleries/10902852/In-pictures-Images-of-the-brain-taken-by-scientists-at-University-of-Edinburgh.html?frame=2943390</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-22784072513622364132014-04-20T01:42:00.000-05:002014-04-20T01:43:19.128-05:00The Aspie Whisperer<h2>
He gets us. He really gets us.</h2>
<br />
A time back I was talking about autism experts and how they don't seem to really understand us even though they spend so much time studying us. I compared it to Jane Goodall and wondered how this woman can go into the forest, spend time observing her subject and eventually come to understand them, but researchers can't do the same with us. Even though they have the added benefit of being able to communicate with us.<br />
<br />
And then I came across this talk by Tony Attwood, an English psychologist that works with people with Asperger's Syndrome (now, autism). I've heard his name before and watched small bits of Youtube videos but never really heard a full speech by him.<br />
<br />
Well I finally sat down and listened to one of his talks and I was blown away. Even though he is not autistic, it seems like Tony gets it. He really understands us as if he can get inside and see the world through our eyes.<br />
<br />
Tony Attwood is the autistics' Jane Goodall.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rVgTPx-vBDo" width="420"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-13501649773511228042014-04-17T00:23:00.001-05:002014-04-17T00:23:58.536-05:00Autism Experts Do ThisI saw this picture and it reminded me of some "autism experts" when they try to explain autistic behavior.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_VdDurbg9Y7PgIBc3gWchxMv99Yromoxw5INNrGSTUpDJua_yVOxi-F6b2Y52WRz-4tKXgWeyHw8yqGoatFv0M5xLsxvSpV5okWCXmbgmcxRtXkT4zP7Vyxtl0xTc0RvT2Xfk3dI27Lm/s1600/scientist-frogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_VdDurbg9Y7PgIBc3gWchxMv99Yromoxw5INNrGSTUpDJua_yVOxi-F6b2Y52WRz-4tKXgWeyHw8yqGoatFv0M5xLsxvSpV5okWCXmbgmcxRtXkT4zP7Vyxtl0xTc0RvT2Xfk3dI27Lm/s1600/scientist-frogs.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-22786910011644106002014-03-19T00:52:00.002-05:002014-03-19T00:52:29.707-05:00Using Verbal Ability as a Measure of IntelligenceOne problem I think many autistics share is people think that if we can't communicate we must be mentally incompetent.<br />
<br />
How did people come to equate verbal speech with intelligence?<br />
<br />
The sheer number of blithering idiots out there quickly lays that theory to rest. <br />
<br />
Think about it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-40680322295649376562014-02-07T00:42:00.002-06:002014-02-07T00:42:33.108-06:00You Are On the Right Planet<br />
<h2>
Focusing on Strengths Instead of Weaknesses</h2>
Something is bothering me about how people view autism. I see far too much emphasis on what we do wrong and ways to correct that (stimming, eye contact, verbal communication, etc.) rather than focusing on what we can do.<br />
<br />
Image if we insisted to a blind person that they must look us in the eye when speaking? Imagine if we tried speaking louder to a deaf person to get them to listen? Imagine telling a lame person they need to make an effort to stand and walk on their own because they need to learn how to blend in. With nearly every other disability it's understood that you give the person the crutch they need to support their weakness and then focus on growing their strengths.<br />
<br />
Why isn't it the same for autism? <br />
<br />
<div class="yt" id="watch-headline-title">
<span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="You Are On The Right Planet: A Message To All Aspies">You Are On The Right Planet: A Message To All Aspies <br />by </span>Mark Hutten<span class="yt-user-separator"></span><span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="You Are On The Right Planet: A Message To All Aspies"> </span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AC3-C13c55s" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-74768231206998704312014-02-02T22:03:00.002-06:002014-02-02T22:05:25.972-06:00Person-first vs Identity-first LanguageThere is some discussion about which is shows more respect, person first, or identity first language.<br />
Person first language would be, "I am a woman with autism." Identity first language would be, "I am autistic."<br />
<br />
The person first language came about with the intention of drilling into people's minds that a person with a disability is a person first and not the disability.<br />
<br />
I understand what they are saying. But I think they are wrong. I use both methods of speech, depending on the conversation. The only way I choose between one or the other is very naturally: one or the other flows more smoothly with the conversation.<br />
<br />
Forcing people to refer to me as a person with autism doesn't force any understanding in their brains. It doesn't change their level of empathy or compassion. It doesn't teach them anything. Now getting to know me, seeing me as a person, that will change their thinking.<br />
<br />
The same thing happened with the word 'retard'. When I was little people who had mental retardation were called 'slow' or 'retarded'. The words were used by doctors to describe the condition. The word itself wasn't bad and wasn't used to hurt. And then people started using it as a slur. They would call others 'slow' or 'retard' as a way to insult them.<br />
<br />
Well that was a problem because now if doctors or news reporters used the word retarded they sounded like a school yard bully. Then it was determined that we need to change it to, "Johnny has retardation." Somehow they thought that would neutralize the word. Johnny is no longer retarded, he just has retardation.<br />
<br />
When that didn't work to change people's thinking they changed the phrasing to 'intellectually disabled.' It's just as easy to insult someone by saying they are intellectually disabled as it is to say they are retarded. Granted it takes a few more syllables to get there, but let's be honest. It's not any harder.<br />
<br />
It is very annoying because unless you are active in that community you are hard pressed to know what the latest version you're supposed to be using. For example, I am surprised to read that deaf people find the phrase 'hearing impaired' to be offensive. I just don't understand why that is. I can't see how that would be offensive.<br />
<br />
Likewise, I don't think it's fair to expect anyone outside the Autistic community to know whether they must use person first or language first phrasing. I think it's far more important to consider what they are saying rather than how they are saying it. A person can use perfectly PC language and still be outrageously offensive.<br />
<br />
And really, I don't think a community that is known for it's communication deficits ought to be policing other people's method of communication. <br />
<br />
Constantly forcing a new PC version of the language doesn't teach the general public anything. If you want to show the world autistic people are human you do that be telling their story. You stop focusing on what they can't do and start telling the story of what they can do. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-72578263468916044472014-01-27T23:08:00.000-06:002014-01-27T23:14:41.854-06:00 A Question for Autistics Only, Please<br />
<br />
In Internetland, dems fightin' words.<br />
<br />
I follow this parenting group on Facebook. Most of the time they ask general questions that parents or autistics can answer from their perspective.s At times, someone will ask a question and specifically request only first-hand experience advice from autistics. <br />
<br />
And then it begins.<br />
<br />
Right on cue, some parent of an autistic will respond on behalf of autistics. Because, you know, they know what it's like. They live this stuff. They're in the trenches.<br />
<br />
The moderator will gently remind everyone that only autistics should be answering. <br />
<br />
Feathers get ruffled and the mods have to post a big announcement reminding everyone that speaking for autistics rather than allowing them to speak for themselves is rude and hurtful. Especially so in what is supposed to be a safe place.<br />
<br />
And then it really gets heated.<br />
<br />
There's always a few who ask, "If the name of the group is "Parenting Autistic Children with Love & Acceptance" then why can't parents answer?" I am lost on that one. How does that title translate into "This is a place for parents, and only parents, to speak and be heard"? Isn't 'parenting' a verb? An action? <br />
<br />
And how on earth does anyone have enough gall to honestly believe they know what is going on inside someone else's head? The number one question in any autistic forum is some variant of "Help, I don't understand what my kid is thinking."<br />
<br />
Isn't a part of parenting listening to your child so you can learn from them and understand them? How scary is it if these parents truly believe that parenting means always talking, never listening?<br />
<br />
Doesn't it make sense that when you want to know what something is like, you ask someone who has already had the experience? If you're trying to figure out someone who can't fully communicate wouldn't you turn to someone who has the same issue but is able to communicate? <br />
<br />
If you wanted to know what childbirth is like do you want to hear from someone who read the "What to expect..." book or from someone who has already given birth?<br />
<br />
Imagine if I asked the group of NTs for their perspective on something and then suddenly realized, "Oh never mind, I can answer that myself. I know exactly what it's like to live a neurotyical life. I have a lot of experience with NTs. My family are NTs. Most of my coworkers are NTs. Why I even dated a few! Some of my best friends are NT! I've been around them my whole life! It's exactly as if I was one of them!"<br />
<br />
Imagine if I asked a group of men for their male perspective and then some woman talked over them and said she can answer for them. After all, she was raised with 3 brothers, she bore a male child, and not only was her father was a man, but she also married one! Why she's a veritable expert on men! She knows everything there is to know.<br />
<br />
Jane Goodall did amazing research into chimpanzees. She completely changed our understnading of their world, social order and activities. And yet no one would be ridiculous enough to suggest that due to her incredible understanding of these creatures, Goodall is now classified as an chimp. <br />
<br />
It's not possible to give a first hand account of something you can only experience second hand.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-22236794155846138502013-11-19T00:46:00.002-06:002013-11-19T02:48:54.441-06:00This is Autism<h2><br></h2>
<h3>
The Community Mobilizes to Drown Out the Latest Hate Speech From Autism Speaks</h3>
<br>
<article> </article><article>When you're different, people say things to you that they
wouldn't say to so-called 'normal' people. They talk about you like
you're not even there.<br>
<br>
Sometimes I wonder if they think we can't hear them. But I know the truth: they just don't care<br>
<br>
It's been referred to as 'Wrong Planet Syndrome' because many of us feel like we must be an alien from another place.<br>
<br>
Where we come from people aren't so eager to invade your personal space in the name of "being friendly." We don't have an incessant need to fill every silent pause with idle chit-chat.<br>
<br>
We try really hard to learn the social customs and rules of this
planet. But many of them don't make any sense. And no matter how many
times you practice, "Hi, how are you?" It never feels natural.<br>
<br>
Many of us don't understand why you don't just say 'hi' when you
mean to say 'hi.' Why ask it in the form of a question that is not
actually a question?<br>
<br>
Our brains are wired differently. And many of us are
hyper-sensitive to sound, light, touch and taste. This is why we tend to
get anxious in noisy restaurants, crowded places and shopping centers.<br>
<br>
They say we have low empathy. What that means is we have a hard
time understanding another person's intentions and internal mindset.
When someone approaches me I have no idea if they are going to smile and
say 'hi' or if they are going to take a swing at me.<br>
<br>
The public, and some doctors, think this means we are cold,
aloof and uncaring. That's not true. Most of us feel extreme emotions. We rarely show it though. And we usually have a hard time
verbalizing it.<br>
<br>
Some of us have a hard time knowing when someone is being sarcastic or joking. That's because the people who claim to be joking aren't actually saying something funny.<br>
<br>
Can you imagine how difficult it would be to interact with friends, neighbors, coworkers and strangers if everything they said was strange and confusing? If their words didn't match their intent? If they asked how you are doing when they really mean hello? If their insults were always followed up with, "Lighten up, it's just a joke."<br>
<br>
It goes back to that alien thing. We have a different way of
communicating. We're more literal and straightforward in our language. And we have a different way of showing love. We aren't
always openly demostrative but when we show we care, you know it's for
real.<br>
<br>
They say we are broken because we don't understand the neurotypical world. I say the neurotypical world is broken because they don't understand us. <br>
<br>
With us it's what you see is what you get.<br>
<br>
The hard part for you is understanding what you are seeing. <br>
</article>
<aside><br></aside>
#ThisIsAutism<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-4554616501286453022013-11-11T21:09:00.001-06:002013-11-11T21:09:23.508-06:00Autism Speaks is at it AgainAutism Speaks (Lies) is will be in Washington D.C. November 12-14 doing their best to spread lies, hatred and fear about their vision of Autism. <br />
<br />
Autism Speaks is trying to convince lawmakers that autism is a national health crisis and the families of autistics live in fear and despair every day, essentially prisioners of this debilitating affliction. <br />
<br />
Please visit the link below to read their blog about the visit and leave a comment on their site.<br />
<a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/news/news-item/autism-speaks-washington-call-action">http://www.autismspeaks.org/news/news-item/autism-speaks-washington-call-action</a><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-76978535759206295392013-10-01T23:33:00.001-05:002013-10-01T23:33:11.562-05:00Understand a Man; Deal With a WomanI follow the Chat for Adults with HFA and Asperger's.<br />
<br />
A few times now I have noticed articles that explain to women how they can understand and support their Aspie husband.<br />
<br />
Just yesterday they posted the link on their Facebook page for the article on <a href="http://www.adultaspergerschat.com/2011/05/understanding-your-aspergers-partner.html">Understanding Your Aspergers Partner</a>.
I was hoping a similar article would be posted for men so they could understand their Aspie women.<br />
<br />
Well low and behold, today they did just that: <a href="http://www.adultaspergerschat.com/2011/05/how-to-deal-with-aspergers-woman.html">How to Deal with an Aspergers Woman</a>.<br />
<br />
Deal? How to 'deal' with an Asperger's Woman? No understanding, just "here's how to put up with her."<br />
<br />
I'm sure that wasn't the intent, but that choice of words rubbed me the wrong way. I'd rather be understood than dealt with.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-65038943057774742582013-05-02T21:29:00.004-05:002013-05-02T21:41:56.776-05:00Lack of Empathy, or Just a Cultural Difference?Do autistics really lack empathy?<br />
<br />
This idea has been rolling around in my head today. One of the "symptoms" of autism that I have a problem accepting is the idea that we lack empathy. <br />
<br />
In the context of autism, empathy means the ability to know what another person is thinking or feeling. It's the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes; to view the world from their perspective.<br />
<br />
I've taken the Baron-Cohen empathy test and failed miserably. By all accounts I should accept this idea that I lack empathy, but for some reason it has been bugging me. Today I finally realized why.<br />
<br />
It is no secret that when a neurotypical and an autistic get together, the autistic will have difficulty empathizing with the NT. However amongst one's own kind, many autistics find they are able to empathize with other people on the spectrum. Many of us also empathize strongly with animals.<br />
<br />
For this reason many of us agree that while we do have trouble reading NT's and understanding their motives, we see it more as a communication block, not as a lack of empathy.<br />
<br />
Whether one has empathy or not is always judged from the NT's perspective. Yet researchers and the general NT public will readily admit they can not put themselves in the place of an autistic. They don't know what an autistic is thinking or feeling.<br />
<br />
In other words, NT's lack empathy <i>in relation to</i> autistics. Just as autistics lack empathy <i>in relation to</i> neurotypicals.<br />
<br />
Is it really fair to say autistics have low empathy when both sides are lacking?<br />
<br />
I compare this to a difference in culture where when dealing with a person from a foreign land it can be difficult to put yourself in their shoes because things are so different where they come from.<br />
<br />
Consider Bob, a typical NT from the Unites States. In the U.S. being somewhat loud, talkative and boisterous is considered 'friendly" and normal.<br />
<br />
Bob is in a restaurant with a group of his friends. They are reading their menu and trying to decide what to order. They look around to the diners near them and ask their neighbors what they ordered and if it is any good.<br />
<br />
The group is considered friendly and outgoing by U.S. standards. Now imagine a tourist couple from Asia is sat at the table closest to Bob and his friends.<br />
<br />
The tourists are quiet, reserved and soft-spoken compared to Bob and his American friends. Bob notices the quiet couple and decides they are just shy and need help coming out of their shell. He tries to engage the two in conversation.<br />
<br />
The couple responds politely to Bob but never fully participates in a conversation. They appear to be a bit embarrassed by the attention. At times they even seem a little annoyed. Bob and his friends are confused by the tourist's reaction because where they come from, people like making small talk with strangers in restaurants.<br />
<br />
Bob and his friends are considered NT, and are said to have high empathy, yet when dealing with someone from a foreign place they <i>lack</i> empathy. They don't have the ability to view the world from the perspective of someone who is different from themselves. Their empathy only works with others of like mind.<br />
<br />
The Asian couple also lacks empathy towards the American diners. The Asians can not put themselves in the American's shoes to see that they are actually being friendly, not rude.<br />
<br />
Is it really fair to say a person has empathy if they only can read others that are just like them? <br />
<br />
Isn't this what is really happening between neurotypicals and autistics? People with autism seem to be culturally different. They have different mannerisms and different opinions of what is considered friendly and polite in society. While they do have trouble reading foreingers, they read their own kind just fine. Much like NT's do.<br />
<br />
I don't think it is any more fair to say that autistics lack empathy than it is to say that Asians do.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-88664998682011041102013-04-21T21:31:00.000-05:002013-04-21T21:31:18.701-05:00Is Ann Coulter Autistic?Ann Coulter said something stupid today.<br />
<br />
Yes, I know that sentence is redundant. Bear with me here.<br />
<br />
In reply to a discussion that Republican senators would have to have a member of their family killed before they would support the gun bill, <a href="http://www.anncoulter.com/columns/2013-04-10.html">Ann suggested</a> we start with Meghan McCain.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
MSNBC's Martin Bashir suggested that Republican senators need to have a
member of their families killed for them to support the Democrats' gun
proposals. (Let's start with Meghan McCain!)
</blockquote>
<br />
Her remark led people wondering if she has autism since she seems to have no empathy for people.<br />
<br />
I think it's great that people are more aware of autism and thinking about what it means. But I'm not ok with the general public thinking that anyone who acts like a heartless jerk is autistic. Because that's not how we are.<br />
<br />
I think one of the problems is that a lot of the general population use 'empathy' when they mean 'sympathy' or 'compassion.' <br />
<br />
Empathy is the ability to read another person and know what that person is thinking or feeling.<br />
<br />
Sympathy is sharing what the other person is feeling. <br />
<br />
Compassion is when you have a strong feeling of sympathy and an urge to allieviate it.<br />
<br />
It does appear that Coulter lacks empathy. She also appears to lack
sympathy and compassion. Most autistic people I have seen have a high
degree of sympathy and compassion but they are not good at reading
people and knowing that they are thinking or feeling, therefore they lack empathy.<br />
<br />
Maybe Ann Coulter is a psychopath. Or she might have some other type of personality disorder. But I don't believe she has a neurological disorder. <br />
<br />
Also, she talks too damn much to be autistic. Autistics don't like talking for no reason but that is all Ann does. Autistics like facts and logic, two things you won't find in an Ann Coulter rant.<br />
<br />
I'm going to come right out and diagnosis Coulter as not autistic.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-66654114998788436602013-04-21T14:01:00.000-05:002013-04-21T15:23:16.833-05:00When We Say We're Different, We Mean ItI'm reading on an online support group about a mother asking what she should do with her son. He is PDD NOS, in college, studying to be an engineer, loves gaming and doesn't socialize much. It sounds like he is AST, Autism Spectrum Typical. In our world, he's normal. But she wants him to be NT normal, so she's asking how to get him out to socialize more.<br />
<br />
Many people on the spectrum have a much lower need for social interaction to be satisfied. NTs don't understand this and always ask what they can do to encourage more socialization.<br />
<br />
Nothing. We just don't need it.<br />
<br />
I work in customer service, I talk on the phone 8 hours a day to people, I also have to deal with social interaction in the break room, walking down the hall, at the grocery store and various other places throughout the day.<br />
<br />
People are everywhere! I have to step outside what is normal for me and interact with them every day, all day. I am more than maxed out on social interaction. Being alone at home is RELAXING, it's not a bad thing.<br />
<br />
NTs really need to understand that when we say we're different, we really are different. Maybe because it's because NTs are so used to their words not meaning what they say, but when autistics speak, we say exactly what we mean.<br />
<br />
We are different. We have different needs. Different things give us pleasure and different things cause us stress.<br />
<br />
When we say we are different that isn't code for "we're pathetically waiting around for you to come save us and teach us how to be NT."<br />
<br />
We are wired differently. Literally, the way the connections are formed in our brains is different from NT people. It will always be that way. Forcing me to go make small talk to someone doesn't make me NT, it makes me annoyed.<br />
<br />
Would you be so eager to change your child if they were born blue eyed instead of brown eyed? Would you be so concerned about 'fixing' their blond hair if you felt they really should have been brunette?<br />
<br />
Why the obsession with 'fixing' autistics?<br />
<br />
We're not broke; we're different.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-43413038957053058582013-03-29T22:28:00.000-05:002013-04-01T21:22:00.385-05:00Now If You Don't Mind, I'm LeavingHere's one from the Things People Say But Don't Really Mean file: <br />
<br />
I'm watching a video on YouTube and at the end the lady closes by saying, "...now if you don't mind, I'm leaving."<br />
<br />
And it made me wonder... if he does mind, is she obligated to stay?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/CHIb4rtOgto?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-76511768411803184042013-03-10T20:51:00.000-05:002013-03-10T20:51:41.292-05:00What Is Autism<br /><b>What Is Autism</b><br />Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by problems with social interactions, communication and repetative movements.<br /><br />An autistic brain is different. The various areas of the brain aren't wired the same way they are in neurotypical people. The different areas don't talk to each other the way they should. Or at least they don't talk to each other in a way that is considered 'normal'.<br /><br />One famous autistic, Temple Grandin, says autistic brains are similar to prey animals; they are always on the alert for danger and scare easily.<br /><br />People on the autistic spectrum get overwhelmed easily. Sounds, smells, textures and tastes can be overwhelming. Something that seems like no big deal to a regular person, such as a gentle pat on the back, may be extremely painful to an autistic person. <br /><br /><b>Is There An Austism Epidemic</b><br />As of 2008, CDC estimated 1 out of 1000 children had an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Today we count 1 out of 88 children with an ASD. This had led many question whether there is an autism epidemic. <br /><br />One cause for the rise in number of diagnoses is due to broadening the defintion of autism. It now includes a spectrum of disorders ranging from severe (Rain Man) to mild (Sheldon Cooper of Big Bang Theory). Most people will realize the Rain Man has a distinct problem with his brain, whereas the Sheldon character they may only view as a quirky, socially inept individual with strange OCD habits. It has not yet been confirmed by the writers, but many of us see ourselves reflected in Sheldon Cooper.<br /><br /><b>Self Stimulation</b><br />When their senses start going into overdrive, many autists use stimming, or self stimulation, to soothe themselves. They may shake their hands, hit their heads, rock band and forth or spin around.<br /><br />They do this because they are experiencing sensory overload. Sensory overload hurts. It physically hurts. This is the reason so many autists retreat deep inside themselves or seem to be loners; they are trying to block out as much stimuli as possible just to get through the day.<br /><br />Autism comes from greek word <i>autós</i>, meaning <i>self</i>.<br /><br />Autism is a neurological disorder; it is not, as originally classified, a psychological one. <br /><br /><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250593150844103484.post-27620171684549417662013-03-06T21:19:00.000-06:002013-03-06T21:39:36.195-06:00Describe Autism in One WordSomeone asked me to describe autism in one word.<br />
<br />
I replied, "No."<br />
<br />
They looked at me like I was even more crazy than usual.<br />
<br />
I can't answer in one word.<br />
<br />
But I can do it in two: sensory overload.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Watch the video:<br />
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/52193530" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/52193530">Sensory Overload (Interacting with Autism Project)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3206184">Miguel Jiron</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0