AspieWiki - Is it time?

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Is now a good time to start up an "AspieWiki"? In the last 17 years since (what would become) Autism Network International (ANI) began to use the term "Neurodiversity", we have had Autreat, Autscape, Autism Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), Aspergian Island, WrongPlanet, Aspies for Freedom, and many other sites, too numerous to mention. A resource that has not been present is what I call an "AspieWiki", a site to store relevant information and research on AS-related topics.

For example, during WP discussions, there is no FAQ or central database of publically available research papers, or historical AS-related discussions. Also, there are few centralized locations to present Neurodiversity concepts, and some of those locations are difficult to reach on a regular basis.

Furthermore, such a site would become a place where Aspies could add pages on topics of interest, such as regional gatherings, events, and groups. Much like Wikipedia proper, it would bring the Aspie-sphere’s information together for our collective benefit.

I like the idea.

Who will be the designated fact-checkers?

Everybody. That's what a wiki is for, right?--if a fact is wrong, you change it.

I suggest something other than "AspieWiki", though. There's more to the autism spectrum than just Aspies. How about Spectrum Wiki? Could have a rainbow logo, which would be pretty. I like rainbows.

I second not calling it AspieWiki.

Don't leave out the other parts of the spectrum.

Moderators would have to be a closed group, however it wouldn't be terribly difficult choosing knowledgeable, articulate AS individuals who could mix the DSM, psych journals and their own experiences into the material. WP proves that living something is akin to studying it.

Interesting idea. Not sure how it would work.

Last edited by Lumi on 11 Jun 2013, 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Why not just call it Neurodiversity Wiki or some variation thereof (NeuroDiWiki, maybe)? That way, topics related to the autistic spectrum but not precisely on it, such as comorids (ADHD, Tourette's, Sensory Processing Disorder) and NVLD/Social Communication Disorder, can be added.

I do like the idea in general, though.

I came in here to post something very similar to this. Or WerewolfPoet.

"Aspie Wiki" is not very inclusive.

I feel slightly obliged to point out that there is already a Neurodiversity/Autism Movement portal on Wikipedia; if creating a new Wiki never fabricates, we can simply contribute to the portal, perhaps.

Editors with an overabundance of time tend to challenge the worthiness of entries on wikipedia fi they are not of general interest.
It's not a very friendly site for small details of interest to a fraction of a minority population. You will also get stupid edits asking for sources in inappropriate contexts, etc.

Better if we have one of our own and sometimes share the best high level bits of it with the portal on Wikipedia.

I like the spectrum/rainbow idea too--though the rainbow branding is already taken by another well established identity group.

I like the Neuro Diversity Wiki idea, too.

There could be a section for AS/HFA issues. And one about the history of different diagnoses and the ideas and understandings behind them.

Thank you.



While I would'nt even know where to start if I registered(?) with Wikipedia, I am aware of it's stance on "notability", which has alledgedly been used in the past to remove discussions of Neurodiversity concepts on Wikipedia. In all fairness, it's Wikipedia's site, so they get to call the shots.

This would be a wonderful project

Yes, it's not really the place to share personal opinions or anything resembling activism, but as you said it's their site - that's why we need our own
Maybe a techy could be the one to set it up, when we have collectively decided on a name (poll?).
I just did some searching and there are many ways of creating a Wiki, it doesn't have to be officially affiliated with Wikipedia.
You could use the software Wikipedia uses - MediaWiki, a "free software open source wiki package".
Or any of these programs.
Here's some How To's, and this explains different ways to host it..
Apparently you can also have your own private Wiki on your computer, which should make any information collector happy!
Though there are things like Zotero and Evernote too for that

Do WPers think such a proposed Wiki would be public (open to all), or private (open only to registered members)?

A little of both ... Open to to be read by anyone, but closed to public posting and editing. Article submissions should be handled by a limited number of appointed staff members, and no member should be allowed global authority over every topic - the "Classifieds" editor on a newspaper should not be allowed to edit or revise the OpEd page, for instance.

Agreed. Open would be an invitation to vandalism.

I should have specified...read-only to all, or just individuals who have joined/registered?