Autism Movement Seeks Acceptance, Not Cures

[David in Canada]

Autism Movement Seeks Acceptance, Not Cures
by Joseph Shapiro

All Things Considered, June 26, 2006 · Michael John Carley is trying to change your image of autism. He has autism and he's happy just the way he is. He thinks that might surprise you.

Carley didn't know he was autistic until he was 36 years old. The diagnosis changed everything he'd ever understood about himself.

"It was biblical," Carley says, with a laugh, of getting the diagnosis. "Of course, you say to yourself, 'Nah that can't be. It's garbage.' "

Carley only heard about his kind of autism -- Asperger's syndrome -- shortly before he was diagnosed. It's sometimes called "geek syndrome" because people with Asperger's, like Carley, often seem quirky and eccentric, but highly intelligent.

MORE HERE...

[David in Canada]

1. Good Story...

This story talks more about Autism and Asperger's Syndrome and how we want acceptance and understanding...

We DON'T want to be cured!

[hfojvt]

3. well it would be nice in some ways

but what does a cure mean - if my personality or social skills were changed enough so that I would a) have a spouse, and b) have more friends, then why wouldn't I want that? But what other changes to my personality/behaviour would come with it? Would I be less mathematically inclined? Would I be less altruistic? Would I be more of a BS artist?

Isn't that what 'normal' people are much of the time? I am not even sure how much I have this 'syndrome' since I am fairly 'highly functioning'. Is the world such that we want to attach a label to everything, especially any variation from an average or norm? Anybody who is not Bruce, must be 'cured', isn't that right, Bruce?

[pitohui]

4. well lots of us do have a spouse

i don't know what to tell you but i don't think every high functioning autistic is 22 and living in mom's basement, life doesn't let you get away w. that unless you're from a fairly privileged class where mom can afford that kind of thing

more friends = more hassle, that's why you wouldn't want that

heh, i have an answer to every question :-)

i agree that many of us don't need a "cure" as we are just as good or better than the mundanes

[hfojvt]

7. except I am 44

own my own house and have unsuccessfully run two businesses and been a landlord :scared: have been on the board of directors of a co-op, a youth center and a service club, and am running for precinct committeman. Not a good job for an Aspie, but somebody's gotta do it.

"Hell is other people" - Sartre
"So is heaven" - Greeley

[JI7]

2. this is interesting

i always wondered what it would be like to experience what many of these people are feeling. because while it can be described, i think to actually live it would give a better understanding. but this is a good start.

that one person who is unable to communicate face to face but does so through the computer and is quoted on here comes off as totally normal. but face to face, many people would not think so based on how they may react. but to read what they are feeling and have to say helps us make the connection better.

[pokerfan]

5. I have Asperger's

My five year old nephew was diagnosed so I decided to have myself checked.

I was runner up to Valedictorian in HS despite my 2.4 GPA. I breezed into univesity on my SAT and IQ scores. I even graduated with one of the more difficult degrees, electrical engineering.

Geek syndrome, indeed. A lot like Chloe on 24.

If I am interested in a subject, I pounce on it and completely devour it. If I have no interest, I could care less about those string of F's. I love math and science where there are clear right and wrong answers. I love classical physics, modern physics, not so much.

I simply want everything to make sense.

Romantic relationships can be counted on one (almost two) hands, some lasting a couple of years even. But they always seem to tend to fizzle out.

At 46, I no longer intend to have children. But it's kinda lonely. Without the internet, it would probably be unbearably lonely.

How pathetic is that?

[NMMNG]

6. Good for them

One problem with the world is that people who don't have "disabilities" automatically assume that those who do need/want to be "cured". Sometimes people are content as they are, and merely need a few more supports or accomodations/adaptations than other people.

[NewWaveChick1981]

8. My 7-yr-old niece has Asperger's.

My sister knew something wasn't right when she was about eight months old. She took her daughter to several doctors, one of whom diagnosed Asperger's. She was able to put my niece in occupational therapy at a very early age and has done all the right things to help her. My sister lives very near a TEACCH facility, so she took advantage of their services from the beginning. She is happy and extremely intelligent with a seventh-grade reading ability and will be in the second grade this fall. Because of what my sister learned throughout the process, we suspected our brother (who turns 40 in August) had Asperger's too. She convinced him to get tested, and he was indeed told he had Asperger's. He always had problems adjusting and seemed kind of odd to outsiders, but he's super-smart. He's getting treatment, and it has done a lot for him. Also, we suspect my dad has it too, but he won't go for testing (he's 75).

I've heard a theory that it may run in families, and in our case, it makes perfect sense now.

[maddezmom]

9. Great article

thanks for posting :thumbsup:

[noonwitch]

10. Autism is a fascinating thing

From my point of view, as a social worker, it is really interesting to work with clients who have autism. I've only worked with a few, but when it is kids, it is interesting to interact with them and try to figure out where they are coming from.

I know this much-most parents of autistic kids would like a cure. It is very frustrating for them.

I thought the story of the girl who calmed herself by skipping in circles was kind of sad, that people in workplaces couldn't accept that. People are way too rigid if they can't accept that. I have had coworkers who were drunk, coworkers who are sluts, coworkers who yell at their supervisors and clients, but skipping in circles? Completely intolerable. Maybe the rest of us can learn a few things from autistics.