Autism is a genetic mutation that will prove evolutionarily advantageous, but will only do so if individuals with autism are supported by other functional autistic persons and/or autistic sympathizers (individuals with some characteristics and/or relatives/spouses of autistic individuals).
Autism is precisely the mechanism that will allow for advanced specialization with uninterrupted focus in fields that are critical to our future survival. As we push to make them “less autistic” and force them to integrate (which is directly counter to their nature) we must ponder the consequences to their potential.
It is not surprising that a good number of autistic individuals have associated mental and/or physical illnesses. They are more sensitive to the toxicity in our present environment whether we are talking about non-sympathizing neurotypicals, modern diet, unpleasant man-made stimuli, chemicals and pollution or a host of other factors.
Unfortunately, we are still in the age of the psychopath; albeit at the brink. Look at where the psychopaths have brought us. Look at what they have brought us. I am not sure we needed them, but we have them because they were successful.
Wait a minute you say? Psychopaths and autistics both lack empathy by definition? The psychopath can understand but cannot feel, whereas the autistic can feel but cannot understand. The psychopath has you figured out but does not care about you, whereas the autistic cares about you but cannot figure you out. It is time for society to shift emphasis and support for the psychopath to awe and guidance from the autistic. The autistic will not move us forward in vain; rather, he will move us because he is moved to do so.
30 Apr 2012, 8:29 pm
