About the "scientifically proven" thing - perhaps it is more interesting to ask if Aspergers (or Autism, btw) is "falsifiable" - in other words, if the "asperger's hypothesis" is wrong, there is any way of proving that is wrong?
Asperger's syndrome, as defined by any diagnostic criteria, is really a collection of behavioural symptoms. There are undeniably many people who have these symptoms, and so Aspergers undeniably exists.
It would be a lot more certain if we did something like this:
Take half of the supposedly diagnostic traits of AS (funny eye contact, special interests, or whatever) and find as many people as you can who seem to have all those traits. Now see whether those same people tend to have the other half of the traits. If they do, to a statistically significant level compared with the general population, then that would be some measure of the "realness" of AS. Rather like the way we know that blonde hair and blue eyes tend to occur in the same people, so we could probably demonstrate that the blonde-haired-blue-eyed "syndrome" was real, i.e. there was a distinct population satisfying both diagnostic criteria and another different, distinct population satisfying neither, with not as much in between as would be the case if the two traits were not really associated together.
Autism is diagnosed on the basis of a triad of impairments in social interaction, communication, and flexible imaginative functions (with restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests; RRBIs). There has been a strong presumption that these different features of the syndrome are strongly intertwined and proceed from a common cause at the genetic, cognitive and neural levels. In this review we examine evidence for an alternative approach, considering the triad as largely ‘fractionable’. We present evidence from our own twin studies, and review relevant literature on autism and autistic-like traits in other groups. We suggest that largely independent genes may operate on social skills/impairments, communication abilities, and RRBIs, requiring a change in molecular-genetic research approaches. At the cognitive level, we suggest that satisfactory accounts exist for each of the triad domains, but no single unitary account can explain both social and nonsocial features of autism. We discuss the implications of the fractionable-triad approach for both diagnosis and future research directions.
Factor structure and relationship between core features of autism (social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive behaviours or interests (RRBIs)) were explored in 189 children from the Twins Early Development Study, diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) using the Development and Wellbeing Assessment (DAWBA; Goodman et al. in J Child Psychol Psyc 41:645–655, 2000). A bottom-up approach (analysis 1) used principal component factor analysis of DAWBA items indicating five factors, the first three mapping on the triad. In analysis 2, applying top-down DSM-IV criteria, correlations between domains were modest, strongest between social and communication difficulties. Cross-twin cross-trait correlations suggested small shared genetic effects between RRBIs and other symptoms. These findings from a clinical sample of twins indicate a fractionation of social/communicative and RRBI symptoms in ASD.
Joined: Feb 17, 2012 Posts: 869 Location: Thornaby, UK
Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 10:13 pm Post subject:
You people just don't get it. You have opened “Pandora’s box”. You have told people this information out as truth. By that they want evidence, you cause so much damage to society by publishing & thinking you know what things are or what they should. Then look at society now, If we could go back in time, I would stop the DSM book turning into a tombstone, & made sure all autism history was wiped.
You might see it as searching, but you did not tell the public that. We don't need you running field tests in public.
How about we turn ignorance & not listening into illness. Marked by a continuing disregard for society’s suffering & inability to see the consequence of they action. Inability to foresee the damage impacted on the world society.
Can turn anything into a illness. With a bunch of bs, & rewriting. Your so out of touch with what is going on currently & I can't be bothered to explain it.
I want you to put yourself in this position. Forget about history & what they have observed. They say it's unknown. So it needs problem solving. Forget about history & forget about the DSM & think more medical & what would be defined as personality stuff. Which one would view as wrong but really is not. Unless it really is like a crime.
Lets get out of they mindset & enter my one. Because some of the stuff I seen really has nothing to do with autism. I even saw a down syndrome person on a autism video at daisychain. Current people are using limited diagnoses of conditions. Like Autism & As & ADD.
Autism in 1912 was used as a turning away from reality. "Self" of autism in greek. They is also the "ism" in it if you search up that part, in google image.
[Reports of autism cases per 1,000 children grew dramatically in the U.S. from 1996 to 2007. It is unknown how much, if any, growth came from changes in autism's prevalence.]
See if you can find out what happened in 1996 etc. What was added, or what things happened that can cause it.
A true story that is both uniquely moving and exceptionally inspiring, Emergence is the first-hand account of a courageous autistic woman who beat the odds and cured herself?. As a child, Temple Grandin was forced to leave her "normal" school and enroll in a school for autistic children. This searingly honest account captures the isolation and fears suffered by autistics? and their families and the quiet strength of one woman who insisted on a miracle.
From Library Journal
This book is written by a woman who overcame a severe disability to become a successful designer of livestock equipment. Though professionals have been theorizing about it for years, the phenomenon called autism has re mained shrouded in mystery. The au thor makes a few dents in this mys tique, giving us insights which are rare because autism by its nature generally precludes such expression and analysis of emotion. She combines a personal perspective with relevant research in formation in assessing how autism can be overcome and even, in some ways, turned to personal advantage. This ac count will be significant reading for any professional or lay person interested in autism, and is also a moving story of the human hidden behind a distorting facade. Amy Goffman, Registered Physical Therapist, Lake Forest, Ill.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.????
Review
Temple's remarkable story is uniquely valuable in helping us see autism from the 'inside. Her dedication to science and her uncompromising honesty about herself will help scientists understand the links between neurology, empathy, and altruism.' Lorna Jean King, OTR, FAOTA, Center for Neuro-Developmental Studies 'This is the story of a frightening journey which provides the reader with a first hand account of the sense of isolation, hopelessness, and anxiety suffered by autistics and their families.' Del Morrison, Ph.D., Langley Porter Neuropsychiatric Clinic
In a way I kind of agree with the original poster. There are personality types where people are just shy, or sensitive. people with Asperger's just have these issues a bit more to the extreme to where it may interfere with their lives. If I were these poor people, I would be mad if I was diagnosed with something based on traits that are a coincidence. I know people think it would be great for services, but if I was just a shy person who was sensitive I would not need to want services, when I am perfectly fine and capable of surviving in the world.
I have Asperger's, but extremely mildly to where it is not questionable to whether I have it or not. I know that when the new
DSM V come out, I will not on considered autistic, having asperger's or anything. (I only have simple sensory issues, not much anything else at this point). I personally would not mind, as I am looking for a full-time job with benefits and would not want social security messing up my plans. Though I get SSDI and SSI, but when I work a full time job, I will lose the SSI and then Lose the SSDI after 9 months of successful employment. Plus for me, I do not need any services and get insulted when they are suggested. I am way too independent to have them.
Sorry for the rant, I was place in inappropriate disability services (day programs and residential) for almost 10 years because of this. It is very inappropriate because I was always independent, had honors programs since elementary school, and could work in the right environment. All I needed was a career services. But instead was placed with the intellectual disabled on the autism spectrum based on this diagnosis of Asperger's because they mix people.
I had to prove them wrong, got retested and got off the services and went back to school, got my Associate's Degree this week and now being getting a job. I say I do not blame you.
Joined: Feb 17, 2012 Posts: 869 Location: Thornaby, UK
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 7:07 pm Post subject:
My problem is with society & they discrimination against shy now. First word to come out of they mouth is lacking confidence. Rather than it just takes time. They is also discrimination against introverts.
Autism www.daisychainproject.co.uk I said one-to-one tutoring & they said I would have to come they to be treated, instead of a volunteer. They also said about my shy personality, they don't want that behaviour & used an example of a shy girl they just turned away & said they don't want that behaviour.
When I was younger it was ok to be shy, I had no problems at school with getting a girlfriend. I hanged around with the geeks. Even if I was a outsider.
Spelling & mental arithmetic, problems. But don't really care, that’s what proof readers & human calculators are for or spell check or spreadsheet. Use more creative thinking anyway.
I originally diagnosed myself with shyness & social anxiety. Thats what I went to the mental health for. But now I know its more discrimination & tones of bs about avoiding quiet one etc. _________________ INTJ, Type5 Observer, Ecologists,
“When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.”
Aspergers is a trait whereby people respond and act differently than other people. Its not a disease like cancer,diabetes etc.
Think of Aspergers in a positive way. Your brain is wired differently and you process different subjects in different ways. You may be really good at one subject like science but are not good in Math. People without Aspergers can also have their quirks.
In fact we were all born with differences. One person can dance but one can't. One loves to eat a certain type of food etc.
We need to celebrate each other's differences.
How do you define normal? If you don't make eye contact or have an odd conversation and you are made fun of then can you make fun of this person for smoking weed?
What is really sad is that people waste their money smoking, doing drugs etc. People with Aspergers should be celebrated for all of their research.
It sure looks like a death sentence on paper especially when you read in books parents mourn when their hear their son or daughter was diagnosed with Aspergers.
If my child was diagnosed with Autism I would be happy to learn there is a name for this condition. I would not waste my time crying over this condition. Other children can have severe disabilities that require them to be in a wheelchair for life.
So what if individuals with Aspergers can't do sports don't force them to participate in competitive PE. Instead allow them to swim, walk the track with friends.
If a teacher is caught teasing or bullying the kid with Autism they need to be punished as well as other peers bullying the AS kid needs to be punished.
When there is a problem don't bring in the Neurotypical Student in first to the Principal's Office bring in the child with Aspergers in because if the other kid bullied the student and lied and the AS kid was punished that would be so unfair.
If you know that you are not good in Math due to dyscalculia then why do the schools keep emphasizing a subject where you are stressed in and keep getting bad grades in. It seems like Colleges and High Schools etc should celebrate the skills the individual is good at. You see an individual can get a degree if the field does not require advanced Math then why force them to take Statistics Algebra 2 etc?
There are computers, Excel etc. I know that Math is important but having students who fail at Math or Science and knowingly having them get a failing grade is murder.
In fact General Education Requirements should be changed to fit the field the student is going into. The First two years a student should take whatever course floats his or her boat.
Especially since we are paying for the education we should decide to take the final exam or not, do this project or not. We have the Professors as our guides and we should decide what is going to help us for the future and current goals.
If we waste our money for a degree that won't land us a job then thats a waste of an education. I can see in primary school having to take courses that is teacher led because this is the foundation.
In college/University I think its should be for the student by the student. If a student would rather do a project or write a paper instead of exams then let them. If a student would rather take computers instead of math allow them to and give them a degree. The Professors are like guidebooks use them as much as you want etc. They will still have jobs because you can do research under them, they will give you ideas on how to complete the assignment etc.
Instead of Professors assigning a certain length to a homework assignment it should be up to the student to dictate and be self-directed to know how much is required. A Professor or TA would look at the assignment for the logistics etc and grade based upon the knowledge gained. Instead of assigning a due date have a certain amount of assignments required to be turned in by the end of the semester.
If a Student is so far advanced let them take the course for 1/2 a semester if they can prove they know the material etc.
Lets say one student takes computers, Psychology etc and gets good grades and loves the field they should be able to get a degree by taking a breadth of subjects they like.
Colleges and Universities should be asking students what they want to take etc.
Screw Standardized Testing because individuals with AS perform better in other ways such as projects, getting good grades etc.
In conclusion Aspergers is just a part of who you are. Its like wearing glasses, needing a white cane if you are blind or hearing aid if you are deaf. People with Aspergers just happen to be smart for the most part and have social quirks.
We need to take the time to listen to them and not put them down. If they continue on and on about their obsession take note and see if you can offer them resources to pursue it. Perhaps you have a friend who is a Recording Studio Manager hook them up with them and see if the individual with AS can work for them. Their obsession could be the perfect job and you turned it into something positive.
Negativity and Aspergers just don't mix. We need to celebrate the good traits and help them to turn their negative behaviors into positive ones. For instance if they have meltdowns channel it so they can take a walk, listen to music etc.
The DSM guide is just a manual which is quite inflexible. In fact people with Aspergers change and can improve to the point where people won't think about the individual having a disability. Aspergers is not a disability its a unique ability to enjoy life in ways other people could only dream of.
Early intervention is key so the earlier you know your child has Aspergers the easier it will be for them to have a fruitful career. Never give up or lose hope. Not having a girlfriend is not the end of the world. I mean I know people with AS would love to have one but if they just don't feel comfortable having one don't force them to have one.
Would you rather have your son or daughter on SSI paying for the outings of a girlfriend or live alone and have a decent job because they pursued their obsession?
In fact SSI should not be a subject for individuals with AS. They are owed a chance and employment. Screw those employers who try to get out of employing someone with a disability.
If I was in the position to hire employees I would first hire someone with AS and just work out the quirks. They are so unfairly underrepresented.
If their interview skills are not as good as others and their eye contact is not as good but they know your system better then forget about the quirks.
We see executives yell and scream, get fired for inside trading and here we don't hire people with Aspergers who are loyal and fun to work with. So unfair.
Joined: Nov 07, 2011 Posts: 416 Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 10:28 pm Post subject:
travelplus wrote:
It sure looks like a death sentence on paper especially when you read in books parents mourn when their hear their son or daughter was diagnosed with Aspergers.
I appreciate your enthusiasm, and am pleased that things are working out, I really am but it's not just "in books, and on paper" where Aspergers is a "death sentence", a good chunk of the posts on this forum seem to indicate that also, from my experience. _________________ Mum to 6 year old DS (AS) and 2 year old DD (NT)
Asperger's is real. Neural underconnectivity in some brain areas, overconnectivity in others, abnormal neurotransmitter levels. The only problem is that the diagnosis is left to modern shamans who assess patients based on their own subjective impressions without bothering to gather any real medical data. But that goes for all mental / neurological disorders.
Asperger's is real. Neural underconnectivity in some brain areas, overconnectivity in others, abnormal neurotransmitter levels. The only problem is that the diagnosis is left to modern shamans who assess patients based on their own subjective impressions without bothering to gather any real medical data. But that goes for all mental / neurological disorders.
Agreed. Like somebody here said a year or two ago, AS diagnosis should be the domain of the neurologist, not the shrink. That's why I'm hoping that brain scans will eventually replace all this subjective, self-assesment crap that passes itself off for a diagnosis of AS.
Joined: Feb 17, 2012 Posts: 869 Location: Thornaby, UK
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 3:19 pm Post subject:
Well going on all the information & really bad professionals. How do you know that you have not just rediscovered anxiety which is normal, a military Sgt will watch you like a hawk if you don't show any signs of been nervous as your a danger to the unit & the ones who do have cold feet normal get the power to charge after a moving speech. But then they is the ones who get shell shock that just need removing, from the battle.
Everyone gets nervous in different situations.
& how you know you not rediscovered learning impairment or different style of learning to the school normal. But then in my time they was more practical & towards the end it was turning less practical. Because of really cough fresh teachers failing boundary tests, next door teacher constantly in & head teacher constantly down.
They stuck so much junk under it. I not read that book I put or the book from 1986 but the fact she says she was bullied & left normal school to join a autistic one, is that just learning impairments. ( & I would not want to go to this autistic school, I had a good time in school, lots of girlfriends, even the geeks got girlfriends. Sure they was bully, but they found out how much I bite. )
Hyperventilating you use a bag to breath into or use an inhaler.
Edit:- Well I just saw a bit ago autism experts on bloomberg tv channel, they did not look like they had all they cylinders firing. ( Know fully what they were talking about.)
Watch the TV Show Tracy Beaker clips. _________________ INTJ, Type5 Observer, Ecologists,
“When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.”
Last edited by TechnoDog on Mon May 14, 2012 7:55 pm; edited 1 time in total
Anxiety & shyness? Oh sure, I get it now! That is why I spent half my childhood stimming and could not follow at school because my mind wanted to wander off into my inner world. I was just shy & mis-understood.
*BUNK*! *BUNK!*
This is positively absurd. I would have thought by now that we would have at least moved on past this. This is just another " he doesn't really have a problem! He is spolied" in a different package.
I suffered through my childhood, Techno-dog. You have NO IDEA the horrors that existed before this Era. You want to see Pandora's Box? I will walk you down my Memory some day.
Autism IS REAL
Asperger's is Autism.
We are constantly learning about these disorders, and getting more informed. Turning back the clock would cause suffering beyond imagination.
Joined: Feb 17, 2012 Posts: 869 Location: Thornaby, UK
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:57 pm Post subject:
No your just not listening about the FACT they have stuck tones under one umbrella turm & you have not read anything on this page. Your learning nothing.
Matt62 wrote:
You want to see Pandora's Box? I will walk you down my Memory some day.
You have NO IDEA the horrors that existed before this Era. ( Really you think I don't, I probably know more than you. )
Dare you to tell me.
Matt62 wrote:
Turning back the clock would cause suffering beyond imagination. ( You have turned back the clock under science now. Drugs )
_________________ INTJ, Type5 Observer, Ecologists,
“When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.”
Joined: Feb 17, 2012 Posts: 869 Location: Thornaby, UK
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 3:12 am Post subject:
Eric Schopler
Welcome to the web log in memory of Dr. Eric Schopler (1927-2006), a professor of psychiatry and psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill for more than 40 years and a pioneer in the humane and effective treatment of autism?. In an era when parents were blamed for causing what was felt to be a psychological problem, Eric was one of the first to use empirical research to establish the true, neurological basis of autism and its effective treatment--treatment that included parents as co-therapists. His methods have been studied and adopted by autism programs around the world, bringing hope and brighter futures to thousands of families in dozens of countries. In the process, hundreds of people have come to know and admire him and have been privileged to call him "friend." This web log is dedicated to sharing and preserving the memories that these friends, family and colleagues have of this truly unique and great man.
Quote:
Thursday, September 01, 2011
TEACCH moved to AHEC
The program for the Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped Children (TEACCH), will be moved organizationally under the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program, effective Sept. 1, 2011, with the arrival of the new director, Laura Klinger, Ph.D.
TEACCH has reported to the dean’s office of the School of Medicine since February 2010. Margaret B. Dardess, PhD, JD, associate vice chancellor for strategic alliances in the School of Medicine, is interim executive director. In July 2010, the School of Medicine made the decision to move TEACCH to AHEC upon the recruitment of a new director. Dr. Klinger’s appointment as the new director of TEACCH was announced in July 2011, after a long search which involved parents, community leaders, health care professionals and others. Read more about Dr. Klinger here.
About AHEC
The mission of the North Carolina AHEC Program is to meet the state’s health and health workforce needs by providing educational programs in partnership with academic institutions, health care agencies, and other organizations committed to improving the health of the people of North Carolina.
_________________ INTJ, Type5 Observer, Ecologists,
“When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.”
They think there is-- most notably, an enlarged and overactive amygdala.
Of course, brain scans are more expensive than self-assessment (or the professional assessment of self-reporting). So they don't happen near as often.
But-- Does it really matter??
I don't know.
I rather suspect, if we performed universal brain scans, we would discover that while all brains have basic structures in common, no two brains are actually identical.
Then what would we have?? Hard proof that people aren't Fords, evidence that a certain percentage of personality really is hardwired and all that is a choice is a certain extent of the expression of it??
It wouldn't resolve the question of what does and does not constitute a pathology, or how individuals are to be regarded/treated.
We'd probably STILL have a "preferred neurology." And it would be the most common, or else the mean ("mean" as in "statistical average," not "mean" as in "nasty," but the semantic confusion is really humorous).
And, likely as not, we'd be euthanizing everyone who didn't fall within so many standard deviations one way or the other of that mark.
With or without hard proof, the problem remains the same. _________________ I'm tired. I do not have sufficient strength remaining to persevere in the face of adversity. I accept myself as broken and conformity/compliance as the only acceptable existence. I give up.
Joined: Jan 07, 2011 Age: 23 Posts: 14828 Location: Somewhere in Colorado
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 9:47 am Post subject:
travelplus wrote:
Aspergers is a trait whereby people respond and act differently than other people. Its not a disease like cancer,diabetes etc.
Think of Aspergers in a positive way. Your brain is wired differently and you process different subjects in different ways. You may be really good at one subject like science but are not good in Math. People without Aspergers can also have their quirks.
In fact we were all born with differences. One person can dance but one can't. One loves to eat a certain type of food etc.
We need to celebrate each other's differences.
How do you define normal? If you don't make eye contact or have an odd conversation and you are made fun of then can you make fun of this person for smoking weed?
What is really sad is that people waste their money smoking, doing drugs etc. People with Aspergers should be celebrated for all of their research.
It sure looks like a death sentence on paper especially when you read in books parents mourn when their hear their son or daughter was diagnosed with Aspergers.
If my child was diagnosed with Autism I would be happy to learn there is a name for this condition. I would not waste my time crying over this condition. Other children can have severe disabilities that require them to be in a wheelchair for life.
So what if individuals with Aspergers can't do sports don't force them to participate in competitive PE. Instead allow them to swim, walk the track with friends.
If a teacher is caught teasing or bullying the kid with Autism they need to be punished as well as other peers bullying the AS kid needs to be punished.
When there is a problem don't bring in the Neurotypical Student in first to the Principal's Office bring in the child with Aspergers in because if the other kid bullied the student and lied and the AS kid was punished that would be so unfair.
If you know that you are not good in Math due to dyscalculia then why do the schools keep emphasizing a subject where you are stressed in and keep getting bad grades in. It seems like Colleges and High Schools etc should celebrate the skills the individual is good at. You see an individual can get a degree if the field does not require advanced Math then why force them to take Statistics Algebra 2 etc?
There are computers, Excel etc. I know that Math is important but having students who fail at Math or Science and knowingly having them get a failing grade is murder.
In fact General Education Requirements should be changed to fit the field the student is going into. The First two years a student should take whatever course floats his or her boat.
Especially since we are paying for the education we should decide to take the final exam or not, do this project or not. We have the Professors as our guides and we should decide what is going to help us for the future and current goals.
If we waste our money for a degree that won't land us a job then thats a waste of an education. I can see in primary school having to take courses that is teacher led because this is the foundation.
In college/University I think its should be for the student by the student. If a student would rather do a project or write a paper instead of exams then let them. If a student would rather take computers instead of math allow them to and give them a degree. The Professors are like guidebooks use them as much as you want etc. They will still have jobs because you can do research under them, they will give you ideas on how to complete the assignment etc.
Instead of Professors assigning a certain length to a homework assignment it should be up to the student to dictate and be self-directed to know how much is required. A Professor or TA would look at the assignment for the logistics etc and grade based upon the knowledge gained. Instead of assigning a due date have a certain amount of assignments required to be turned in by the end of the semester.
If a Student is so far advanced let them take the course for 1/2 a semester if they can prove they know the material etc.
Lets say one student takes computers, Psychology etc and gets good grades and loves the field they should be able to get a degree by taking a breadth of subjects they like.
Colleges and Universities should be asking students what they want to take etc.
Screw Standardized Testing because individuals with AS perform better in other ways such as projects, getting good grades etc.
In conclusion Aspergers is just a part of who you are. Its like wearing glasses, needing a white cane if you are blind or hearing aid if you are deaf. People with Aspergers just happen to be smart for the most part and have social quirks.
We need to take the time to listen to them and not put them down. If they continue on and on about their obsession take note and see if you can offer them resources to pursue it. Perhaps you have a friend who is a Recording Studio Manager hook them up with them and see if the individual with AS can work for them. Their obsession could be the perfect job and you turned it into something positive.
Negativity and Aspergers just don't mix. We need to celebrate the good traits and help them to turn their negative behaviors into positive ones. For instance if they have meltdowns channel it so they can take a walk, listen to music etc.
The DSM guide is just a manual which is quite inflexible. In fact people with Aspergers change and can improve to the point where people won't think about the individual having a disability. Aspergers is not a disability its a unique ability to enjoy life in ways other people could only dream of.
Early intervention is key so the earlier you know your child has Aspergers the easier it will be for them to have a fruitful career. Never give up or lose hope. Not having a girlfriend is not the end of the world. I mean I know people with AS would love to have one but if they just don't feel comfortable having one don't force them to have one.
Would you rather have your son or daughter on SSI paying for the outings of a girlfriend or live alone and have a decent job because they pursued their obsession?
In fact SSI should not be a subject for individuals with AS. They are owed a chance and employment. Screw those employers who try to get out of employing someone with a disability.
If I was in the position to hire employees I would first hire someone with AS and just work out the quirks. They are so unfairly underrepresented.
If their interview skills are not as good as others and their eye contact is not as good but they know your system better then forget about the quirks.
We see executives yell and scream, get fired for inside trading and here we don't hire people with Aspergers who are loyal and fun to work with. So unfair.
Well this different wiring can cause some very real difficulties........not saying it should be veiwed in a totally negative light, but to disregard that it can be disabling in a lot of ways probably does more harm than good.
Also making fun of people to make them feel bad is not cool in general.....wether it's for not making eye contact or smoking weed. Also why would one assume that if someone makes fun of them for not making eye contact that person must smoke weed? I smoke it and I would never do that to someone. Also people waste their money on video games, ipads, computer games coffee, movies, t.v's.....to each their own I won't explain all the reasons people might use drugs but keep in mind some people with Asperger's do and preaching acceptance for AS wile spreading the common stigma about 'smoking weed' does not make too much sense to me....Other then that though you've made some good points especially with the education.
Also well society has not been kind to all of us.......so I know I don't exactly see what's so wonderful about succeeding in this society and making a career working for people my life. But maybe early intervention would help that and maybe if society becomes more accepting of peoples differences. _________________ It's like alice in wonderland except, my names not alice and this is the real world not a dream.
