Autism and "Neuroextraterrestrialdiversity"

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The article linked below was shared recently, and a “few” people were not happy with it, because the word “Alien” and “Autism” shared space.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/01/pf/auti ... =SF_M_Lead

I thought the Video was also interesting, linked in the article. I know those parents, but I cannot quite place where I know them.

The first time I became fully aware that I was an "Alien" was when the song "Alien" came out by the ARS, "Atlanta Rhythm Section" band. People had been telling me "that" for over a decade, and I could not understand what "they" meant, but something about that song brought equal awareness to me.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9MW-6PY44M[/youtube]

Whether or not I could accept that, in part, would determine whether I would survive.

I came to accept it, within a year.

That same year a wonderful and much more uplifting story of acceptance of "Neuroextraterrestrialdiversity" was introduced to the world, by someone likely on a spectrum somewhere who shared an iconic representation of his childhood spirit on the big screen.

The movie "ET" is strangely reminiscent of the song I heard a year before, with that amplifying message of acceptance, rather than separation from the rest of the world.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5Y03KJxeeI[/youtube]

The couple that shares their story of challenge from “Money Magazine” does not share much complex emotion in their facial expression or written words; however, I can still find that "Heart Light" for their child in their words and in the video.

"Alien Acceptance" is "Autistic Acceptance". There is no effective difference, as far as I can see, from my small place I call home on a spectrum, somewhere.

When I saw the video, I saw a family living in a similar place.

I sense that the parents and child are not aware of it for their “selves”.

Perhaps that is a good place to stay, if one can, as acceptance can be much harder than awareness, when one finally recognizes them “self” as an "Alien", and does not attempt to run from the "truth".

That is not a "truth" for most people, but it was for me.

Other than that, "Money Magazine" is most often boring to me, except for some of the "cool math".

Back to my experience of "Alien Self-Awareness and Acceptance", as I moved past that point I also found easier access to a sensory awareness and understanding of experience that I could not put into words and share with others.

However, I came across others who could adequately express the awareness and experience.

I found “Fred the robot floating through time and space transmitting a message” from the band ELO, "Electric Light Orchestra".

Much later, I found a method of social communication to share it with others on "Another Planet”.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-uaXyc6Mlw[/youtube]

I put "Other" because I don't think I can give a yes/no answer to this. On the one hand, saying the analogy is offensive when I'm a member of a site called WrongPlanet is a little bit on the contrary side, if not hypocritical. The notion of feeling like I'm from another planet pretty much invites that analogy to be used. On the other hand, there are many different ways using words to communicate the concept of difference. As well, I hypothesize there's a point in almost every spectrumite's life when s/he realizes s/he is different from "everyone else", so much so that the analogy's existence might be detrimental if not used by spectrumites in question.

No, because if you have always FELT like an alien, that suddenly makes sense.

ok,umm
is the alien thingy just a philosophical metaphor for social allienation,or is a claim of life forms from another planet part of this

Actually both. I suggest that "Autistic" life not only lives in the "non-human" Animal Kingdom on this Planet, but all other planets where life exists.

There is no doubt in my mind that life exists on other planets.

There is no doubt in my mind that "Autistic" life exists on other planets.

Something similar to humans is probably rare.

Humans have developed an unusual tool of culture to adapt, but other than that, they are not particularly robust Creatures.

Existing at "some point in time", maybe.

But "now", not as likely.

Thanks for your thought, you verbalize similar thoughts that I have had on the analogy.

To the point and exactly. Thanks for the comment.

people taking offence to the term 'alien' have been influenced my popular media into thinking it always means 'extra-terrestrial'
as you might have guessed from the wording: it does not (well, it includes, but is not limited to). 'alien' means 'different from the norm'. back in the colonial age, english settlers in america would have been aliens; mexicans in america today are officially classified as 'aliens' as well.

in this definition, i agree with autistics/aspergians to be aliens in any western society

PROUD to be an Alien!

If the former, then there is no harm in the association; but if the latter, then the harm arises from an irrational belief.

Normally no, though the context of the article seems negative and I wonder if that view is why people don't see those on the spectrum as human beings.

Not in general, but this is another dehumanizing, whiny article from the parent of an autistic kid, and I'm sick to death of those.

not sure where you get from.delusional article about non existent alien life forms maybe, but "whining article"dont get where that comes from.

unless aliens secretly run autism speaks,which i would not put it passed someone to believe that.
sorry Aghogday no personal offense to you personaly,just never was into space and aliens

It do not think it is unreasonable to suggest that life forms on other planets would likely have some of the behavioral traits in social animal communication that are "autistic like" in "Nature".

There is no reason I can see to suggest that life forms on other planets would not evolve in similar ways, per general "nature", as they do here.

Humans are likely not that "special" in the larger scheme of nature on a much, much broader scale of potential life elsewhere.

Take away all the culture, stripped down to naked bodies, and humans become much less impressive on this planet. Overall, potentially less impressive than the humans existing on the planet before agriculture came along, per small social unit.

For those that literally believe they come from another planet; that part I would agree is not reasonable. I haven't heard anyone suggest that on this website yet.

Actual alien life, is likely no more unusual than what one can find on this planet, particularly at the lowest depths in the oceans.

I personally do not put myself on a higher platitude than the others species on this planet or others. I also have respect for the fact than I am not in a situation where they can eat me, as that is the reality for many animals in nature that culture protects humans from.

I probably wouldn't have nearly as much respect for some of the other forms of life that might eat me, if they had the opportunity.

Generally speaking, I don't find the analogy of "Alien", per other-worldly life offensive at all.

That could have something to do with an early life fascination with "Star Trek", and the advanced forms of life depicted, rather than the "monsters" portrayed in other media portrayals.

I do not imagine extraterrestrial life as a negative thing at all.

I am sure many others do, as there are many people that also put the human species far above the rest of the animal kingdom as a completely different type of being.

In effect, those that do are declaring their species as an "Alien one" on this planet.

That is ironic to me, as an "Alien" in metaphor alone.

I think your comment is insightful. No offense taken at all.