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alex
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Joined: Jun 14, 2004
Age: 22
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Location: DC Metro Area (No. VA)
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 Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 2:37 pm Post subject: I'm in Chicago Tribune article about Neurodiversity vs. Cure |
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-autism_treatment_thinkmay11,0,2646107.story
"The fledgling neurodiversity movement argues that autism is not a disorder—it's a unique way of thinking and viewing the world, and one that should be embraced, not "cured." To them, recovery sounds as if someone wants to mess with their brain wiring, rather than the side effects.
"Even by improving our ability to cope in the world, we will always identify as autistic," said Alexander Plank, founder of WrongPlanet.net, a Web site for the autistic community, in whom Asperger's has been diagnosed. "Autism is not something that comes in and takes away a person but is an inherent wiring of the brain that is part of an individual's genetics."
Plank has a point, but he also is a functioning member of society. A film and video major at George Mason University in Virginia, Plank speaks on neurodiversity at conferences. He has a girlfriend and friends. His interests include computers, writing and acting."
There's some stuff about parents finding a cure as well... |
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DevonB
Sea Gull
Joined: Mar 14, 2008
Age: 40
Posts: 248
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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I understand the desire for people to seek a "cure" for their children. I sympathise with them.
On the other hand, I am who I am, and don't exactly know how I'd feel if someone offered to cure me. I wouldn't be myself anymore. |
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Warsie
HMFIC G Representin' Da South Side of Chi-Town
Joined: Apr 04, 2008
Age: 17
Posts: 1377
Location: Chicago, IL USA
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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As a denizen of Chicago ("Chicagoan" in local vocabulary), I have to say f**k YEAH SEAKING 
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ToadOfSteel
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Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Age: 20
Posts: 2395
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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Or ask Cellini's son, Jonathan, who was once diagnosed with autism but now is a mainstreamed 3rd grader. He was once non-verbal, but he recently told his mother he always thought he was talking.
"I just couldn't understand why you guys couldn't hear me," he told her.
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The end of the article...
I must say that the article is surprisingly well-written in that it presents both sides of the argument in question... most articles are heavily biased towards one camp or the other... |
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Deadboy365
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Joined: May 06, 2008
Age: 22
Posts: 31
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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when are people gonna stop saying that Autism is a "disease"?
coz u cannot "cure" something that IS NOT an epidemic!
and also... if they try to force me to I will shove their so-called NeuroTypical cure where the sun don't shine!!! |
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Roxas_XIII
Shur'tugal (Dragon Rider)
Joined: Jan 09, 2007
Age: 17
Posts: 1360
Location: Somewhere over Alagaesia
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Deadboy365 wrote: | when are people gonna stop saying that Autism is a "disease"?
coz u cannot "cure" something that IS NOT an epidemic!
and also... if they try to force me to I will shove their so-called NeuroTypical cure where the sun don't shine!!! |
Please do, I'd love to see how they feel with a syringe through their t******s 
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DukeGallison
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Age: 24
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Deadboy365
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: May 06, 2008
Age: 22
Posts: 31
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Roxas_XIII wrote: | | Deadboy365 wrote: | when are people gonna stop saying that Autism is a "disease"?
coz u cannot "cure" something that IS NOT an epidemic!
and also... if they try to force me to I will shove their so-called NeuroTypical cure where the sun don't shine!!! |
Please do, I'd love to see how they feel with a syringe through their t******s |
don't worry!
you just KNOW I WILL!  |
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LeKiwi
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Posts: 2505
Location: The murky waters of my mind...
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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Alex - another brilliant interview, well said and well done. This is the kind of press that's needed.
I like that it does distinguish between the abilities of those higher functioning and Aspergers people and the ones who do have genuine problems that could perhaps be alleviated... it shows both sides of the story and doesn't invalidate either or put the treatment vs neurodiversity arguments as mutually exclusive, as so many tend to.
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KatieMiller
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DeaconBlues
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide - call me...
Joined: Apr 22, 2007
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Location: Earth, mostly
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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You know, they could have also spoken with Amanda Baggs, who is quite clearly not the sort of "higher-functioning" person the writer so blithely dismisses - but who also does not seem interested in a "cure" for her condition. The article was indeed slanted, just not as badly as we're used to. (Check how many curebie parents they either interviewed or discussed - balanced against the viewpoint of Alex, as the sole representative of the Neurodiversity groups. And the phrasing the reporter used to dismiss his statement.)
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DW_a_mom
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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| DeaconBlues wrote: | | You know, they could have also spoken with Amanda Baggs, who is quite clearly not the sort of "higher-functioning" person the writer so blithely dismisses - but who also does not seem interested in a "cure" for her condition. The article was indeed slanted, just not as badly as we're used to. (Check how many curebie parents they either interviewed or discussed - balanced against the viewpoint of Alex, as the sole representative of the Neurodiversity groups. And the phrasing the reporter used to dismiss his statement.) |
Just FYI, the author farmed responses to her blogs for the responses and quotes. I would assume Amanda Baggs never posted there, or she might have been quoted. Overall, the quotes are pretty in proportion to the responses on the blogs, as in what sides are represented. I would say the author did a good job of reading and distilling all the debate that happened there.
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DW_a_mom
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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| DeaconBlues wrote: | | You know, they could have also spoken with Amanda Baggs, who is quite clearly not the sort of "higher-functioning" person the writer so blithely dismisses - but who also does not seem interested in a "cure" for her condition. The article was indeed slanted, just not as badly as we're used to. (Check how many curebie parents they either interviewed or discussed - balanced against the viewpoint of Alex, as the sole representative of the Neurodiversity groups. And the phrasing the reporter used to dismiss his statement.) |
Actually, FYI she also used one of my comments to the blogs, when I was trying to support neurodiversity, although it isn't obvious from the quote she picked. And the number of chat rooms or forums I read up on is exaggerated ... I hope I didn't say that, but who knows, lol, in the heat of a debate. You've got to give her credit for trying. She would have asked me more questions outside of the stuff I put in the blogs but I kind of balked at that - I just don't feel it's my place to represent the spectrum adult community, for various reasons. I would never have posted on those blogs at all if Alex hadn't led us there. Perhaps more members here need to post positively worded debate points in places like that, so that representation increases.
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DW_a_mom
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morning_after
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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Good job, Alex.
I mean, so what if you're the only name mentioned among all the anti-cure people? The point is you still got out there and did this thing.
I thought the article was very well written. Sure there is a little bit of a slant in it, but you will find that everything that is written will be at least a little bit slanted.
At least the author listened to the other side of the debate.
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