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Semi_Lost_Serenity
Snowy Owl
Joined: Jun 01, 2007
Age: 26
Posts: 143
Location: Insanity
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 Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:57 pm Post subject: Autism as your identity? |
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I am writing a short school assignment that will discuss identity within the autistic community.
My theory is that because Aspies feel marginalized by the NT world, they then marginalize the NT world.
What are your thoughts?
How do you see your identity as relating to the autistic community?
Thanks!
_________________
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference." Robert Frost |
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Orwell
Outer Party Member
Joined: Aug 09, 2007
Age: 18
Posts: 2582
Location: Room 101
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:54 am Post subject: Re: Autism as your identity? |
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| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | | I am writing a short school assignment that will discuss identity within the autistic community. |
Best of luck.
| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | | My theory is that because Aspies feel marginalized by the NT world, they then marginalize the NT world. |
Interesting. I would probably agree with this assessment. Even the fact that you are able to refer to "NTs" as a discrete group probably shows this tendency- they are, by conservative estimates, at least 99.3% of the population. It is rather an in-group/out-group phenomenon, much like the division of the world that occurs in most religions: you are either a Jew or a Gentile, a Christian or a Pagan, a Muslim or an infidel. Groups which feel marginalized tend to draw together for strength and identify more closely with members of their own group, artificially magnifying the importance of that group in the perception of its members.
| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | | What are your thoughts? |
Mostly above. It could also be seen as a sort of reactionary reverse-bigotry: we are told we are inferior, realize that this claim is unfounded, and then counter with the equally unfounded claim that we are superior. I know that I went through this phase on first arriving here, and I'm guessing many others have as well (and many are still in that phase). Even if Aspies are less group-oriented, for many of us WP is finally a place where there are others like ourselves we can relate to, this leads to a sense of kinship almost, and we probably would stick together moreso than most online communities because we view other posters here as being of "our own kind." We feel alienated from the world, so we find a community where we do fit in.
| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | | How do you see your identity as relating to the autistic community? |
Well, I am autistic and that obviously shapes the kind of person I am. I do not consider it to be my most important defining characteristic, but I definitely feel my identity as an autistic. I identify with a lot of what I read on this site, and here I feel like I can interact with people like myself. It is important to know that one is not alone in this world, and that there are others who share your peculiarities, your gifts and your struggles.
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WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH |
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sinagua
Deinonychus
Joined: Nov 29, 2007
Posts: 368
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:53 am Post subject: Re: Autism as your identity? |
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| Orwell wrote: | | Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | | I am writing a short school assignment that will discuss identity within the autistic community. |
Best of luck.
| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | | My theory is that because Aspies feel marginalized by the NT world, they then marginalize the NT world. |
Interesting. I would probably agree with this assessment. Even the fact that you are able to refer to "NTs" as a discrete group probably shows this tendency- they are, by conservative estimates, at least 99.3% of the population. It is rather an in-group/out-group phenomenon, much like the division of the world that occurs in most religions: you are either a Jew or a Gentile, a Christian or a Pagan, a Muslim or an infidel. Groups which feel marginalized tend to draw together for strength and identify more closely with members of their own group, artificially magnifying the importance of that group in the perception of its members.
| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | | What are your thoughts? |
Mostly above. It could also be seen as a sort of reactionary reverse-bigotry: we are told we are inferior, realize that this claim is unfounded, and then counter with the equally unfounded claim that we are superior. I know that I went through this phase on first arriving here, and I'm guessing many others have as well (and many are still in that phase). Even if Aspies are less group-oriented, for many of us WP is finally a place where there are others like ourselves we can relate to, this leads to a sense of kinship almost, and we probably would stick together moreso than most online communities because we view other posters here as being of "our own kind." We feel alienated from the world, so we find a community where we do fit in.
| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | | How do you see your identity as relating to the autistic community? |
Well, I am autistic and that obviously shapes the kind of person I am. I do not consider it to be my most important defining characteristic, but I definitely feel my identity as an autistic. I identify with a lot of what I read on this site, and here I feel like I can interact with people like myself. It is important to know that one is not alone in this world, and that there are others who share your peculiarities, your gifts and your struggles. |
Wow. I agree with everything you just said. Really. Very well-put.
/mother of child with AS (formal dx)
//probably wife of a man with AS (no formal dx)
///might even have AS myself, but fortunately am a good mimic and have learned to cope because I had to (no formal dx) |
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sinsboldly
Free Range Aspie
Joined: Nov 22, 2006
Age: 57
Posts: 6182
Location: The Emerald Forest
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:55 am Post subject: |
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I never even thought about Autism much. When I found out I was Aspergers' and just sorta high functioning after I lived almost 60 years it was like waking up one morning and realizing I was Oregon State when I had been rooting for University of Oregon all those years. . .
Just because I had no ideat what Asperger's was, I was still an Aspergian, and
I was marginalized as a PERSON, but I was marginalized by people, not whole groups. I didn't even know I was a PART of a group till I got to WP last year.
and I only hated myself.
I was angry at them for rejecting me, though.
Merle |
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Danielismyname
Drastic Order
Joined: Apr 03, 2007
Posts: 5070
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:48 am Post subject: |
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No.
(I don't understand the concept that's "identity".) |
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Inventor
Phoenix
Joined: Feb 16, 2007
Posts: 2628
Location: New Orleans
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:45 am Post subject: |
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A Culture of One.
I hang out here because people often say things that make me think.
I did not find the world in general thought provoking, just provoking.
The Human Race is toward a self inflicted doom, or one caused by natural events.
Eat, drink, and be merry...Fare the Titanic, fare the well. |
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sartresue
Radical Aspergian
Joined: Dec 19, 2007
Posts: 1832
Location: The Castle of Shock and Awe-tism
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:58 am Post subject: Autism as your Identity |
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Autie-matic topic
Before AS, and before I knew about WP, I was an entity unto myself. I identified myself as separate from others, an island, and as Sinsboldly wrote,I was ostracized by individuals, not groups. Of course, once I knew about AS, and WP, then I could identify with the AS and Autistic community.
And, as nearly everyone here has intimated, I have come home. You are always welcome at WP. 
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Radical Aspergian
Awe-Tistic Whirlwind
Phuture Phounder of the Philosophy Phactory |
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Semi_Lost_Serenity
Snowy Owl
Joined: Jun 01, 2007
Age: 26
Posts: 143
Location: Insanity
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:48 am Post subject: |
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Thank you you all for your help - very much helpful 
Just one more question. I know this has been hashed out again and again, but just for clairification:
Why does curing autism so upsetting? What would it mean to you?
Thanks!
_________________
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference." Robert Frost |
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Kaleido
On an extended tea break
Joined: Feb 19, 2007
Age: 49
Posts: 2115
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:55 am Post subject: |
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Brilliant response Orwell.
Having tried for years to fit properly into an NT world and failed unless I got the pretending really right, I have now largely rejected it and avoid social situations where there are mostly NTs if I think the event will go on for a long time (I cannot keep the pretending up that long), also if I will have to make a lot of normal' responses, that always catches me out and I either get into a lot of trouble for saying the wrong thing or I get pushed out as being a little bit too different. Lastly, I tend to avoid the predominantly NT situations because its hard work trying to make a go of it and I am tired of trying to do that. The cost to me as a person has been too high. |
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sinsboldly
Free Range Aspie
Joined: Nov 22, 2006
Age: 57
Posts: 6182
Location: The Emerald Forest
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: Autism as your identity? |
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| Orwell wrote: |
| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | | How do you see your identity as relating to the autistic community? |
Well, I am autistic and that obviously shapes the kind of person I am. I do not consider it to be my most important defining characteristic, but I definitely feel my identity as an autistic. I identify with a lot of what I read on this site, and here I feel like I can interact with people like myself. It is important to know that one is not alone in this world, and that there are others who share your peculiarities, your gifts and your struggles. |
Wow, I wonder who you would be if you were never diagnosed Autistic? If you were never held to some different measuring stick.
Merle |
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hitormist
Snowy Owl
Joined: Mar 17, 2008
Age: 26
Posts: 136
Location: Central England
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | Thank you you all for your help - very much helpful
Just one more question. I know this has been hashed out again and again, but just for clairification:
Why does curing autism so upsetting? What would it mean to you?
Thanks! |
Curing autism seems so offensive to most of us as it would be to take us apart. We are who we are because of autism. It is us. To cure autism would be not only seem to take away everything that makes us special and turn us into NT zombies, it is the thought of doing some of the illogical things whey do which is enough to make me feel repulsed.
I am at one with the world like this. I understand it's environment and how to interact with it in a far more satisfactory way than I gather NTs do. The understanding and appreciatation is phenominal, and as such it appreciates me. The problem is people in general are impossible to understand, and do not really understand or look at the world - everything is taken for granted. How can they interact properly when they do not notice a lot of what happens around them.
I will not say I notice everything - far from it, but I am aware of my situations I am in. So that is why I don't like the idea of a "cure":-
Any cure would be like making me blind to the world |
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Prof_Pretorius
troubled Soul
Joined: Aug 21, 2006
Age: 50
Posts: 4240
Location: Hiding in the attic of the Arkham Library
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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This illustrates perfectly the schism between us "Elder ASpies" and the younger ones. We went through most of our life just feeling "odd" or "eccentric". We accepted that, and used it to the best of our abilities. I have always been proud of my creativity. When presented with a problem, I could brainstorm quickly, and come up with a solution that others didn't. My problem has always been social interaction, and office politics. But younger people nowadays get DX'd early on, and THAT becomes part of their identity. Something like 95% of all the people I've mentioned AS to have never heard of it. When I say it's HFA, they look at me like I have lobsters coming out my ears. I don't appear to be anywhere near what people think HFA "looks like". So I really have difficulty understanding how young people manage to go around saying "I'm AS" and people just answer, "Oh, OK".
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I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. I feel my fate in what I cannot fear. I learn by going where I have to go. ~Theodore Roethke |
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Orwell
Outer Party Member
Joined: Aug 09, 2007
Age: 18
Posts: 2582
Location: Room 101
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject: Re: Autism as your identity? |
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| sinsboldly wrote: | | Orwell wrote: |
| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | | How do you see your identity as relating to the autistic community? |
Well, I am autistic and that obviously shapes the kind of person I am. I do not consider it to be my most important defining characteristic, but I definitely feel my identity as an autistic. I identify with a lot of what I read on this site, and here I feel like I can interact with people like myself. It is important to know that one is not alone in this world, and that there are others who share your peculiarities, your gifts and your struggles. |
Wow, I wonder who you would be if you were never diagnosed Autistic? If you were never held to some different measuring stick.
Merle |
I wasn't diagnosed until fairly recently, so I can answer this. I would simply have felt like a was inexplicably different from everyone else; I would feel profound disappointment at my social failings; I would worry over whether I would ever make anything of my life despite my reasonably high intelligence; and I would develop a general contempt for other people without realizing that there is value in every way of being.
_________________
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH |
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Orwell
Outer Party Member
Joined: Aug 09, 2007
Age: 18
Posts: 2582
Location: Room 101
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | Thank you you all for your help - very much helpful
Just one more question. I know this has been hashed out again and again, but just for clairification:
Why does curing autism so upsetting? What would it mean to you?
Thanks! |
Curing autism is upsetting for the obvious reason that such a goal assumes us to be inferior. To me, a cure for autism would be the medical community telling me that I lack worth as a human being and that the world would be better off if I did not exist. Personally, I find such assumptions rather insulting. Even if they only want to lessen the rate of autism in the future and are willing to leave me alone, they are still sending the message that their perfect society does not include people like myself, and that is still a statement that they view me as unworthy of life.
_________________
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH |
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sinsboldly
Free Range Aspie
Joined: Nov 22, 2006
Age: 57
Posts: 6182
Location: The Emerald Forest
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:38 am Post subject: Re: Autism as your identity? |
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| Orwell wrote: | | sinsboldly wrote: | | Orwell wrote: |
| Semi_Lost_Serenity wrote: | | How do you see your identity as relating to the autistic community? |
Well, I am autistic and that obviously shapes the kind of person I am. I do not consider it to be my most important defining characteristic, but I definitely feel my identity as an autistic. I identify with a lot of what I read on this site, and here I feel like I can interact with people like myself. It is important to know that one is not alone in this world, and that there are others who share your peculiarities, your gifts and your struggles. |
Wow, I wonder who you would be if you were never diagnosed Autistic? If you were never held to some different measuring stick.
Merle |
I wasn't diagnosed until fairly recently, so I can answer this. I would simply have felt like a was inexplicably different from everyone else; I would feel profound disappointment at my social failings; I would worry over whether I would ever make anything of my life despite my reasonably high intelligence; and I would develop a general contempt for other people without realizing that there is value in every way of being. |
Sorry if I am getting this wrong, Orwell, but are you saying how you thought you were at the time of your diagnosis is how you think you would have remained?
what if you had kids and they brought your such joy you felt like you had made something of your life? What if love finally touched you like Ebineezer Scrooge and your heart melted from comptempt to compassion?
(These things happened. Even to Rainman;))
Merle |
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