Autism Spectrum Megathread

[Glorious KASSRD]

But seriously, as someone who has Aspergers, why the fuck would you people resist a cure so much? I just wanna have less deviancy from coordination, less social awkwardness, ect so bad.

I absolutely support a cure in general, and providing it to infants in particular, and indeed if someone asked me if they should get the cure, I would advise them to do so (all of this assuming no major side-effects, of course). But I certainly wouldn't go anywhere near it myself. I'm just not comfortable with the idea of changing the functioning of my brain on such a fundamental level.

If I may ask, why do you support a vaccine for everyone else, but not you? Wouldn't I have the same dangers and changes?

[Salandriagado]

I absolutely support a cure in general, and providing it to infants in particular, and indeed if someone asked me if they should get the cure, I would advise them to do so (all of this assuming no major side-effects, of course). But I certainly wouldn't go anywhere near it myself. I'm just not comfortable with the idea of changing the functioning of my brain on such a fundamental level.

If I may ask, why do you support a vaccine for everyone else, but not you? Wouldn't I have the same dangers and changes?

I try to be as objective as I can with respect to others, give them advice that will make things better for them. Objectively, getting such a cure is the best decision - it would almost certainly improve my life if I took it. But when it comes to me, unfortunately, I'm not able to be that objective. I'm fundamentally unconvinced that I'd remain myself, or like to be what I'd end up as. I'm not even convinced as to the continuity of consciousness over such a dramatic change.

[The United Colonies of Earth]

I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when I was three. I don't like small talk, and I'm proud of who I am. If it were possible to reduce some of the less favorable traits associated with autism without affecting the more favorable ones (favorability judged from a perspective of how it affects one's interactions with others), I would endorse research into it.

[Alistan]

I have High Functioning Autism, I could read and write, but I am socially awkward, I suck at public speaking and some people made fun of me because I know facts of history, geography, and politics, calling me a retard and a "walking encyclopedia". Some people use me as a lab partner for information (this is why I hate working in groups a lot), and not working on anything at all.

[Glorious KASSRD]

I have High Functioning Autism, I could read and write, but I am socially awkward, I suck at public speaking and some people made fun of me because I know facts of history, geography, and politics, calling me a retard and a "walking encyclopedia". Some people use me as a lab partner for information (this is why I hate working in groups a lot), and not working on anything at all.

So their calling you stupid and smart at the same time?
Meanwhile, I also get insulted for knowing a lot. It doesn't hurt me as much as it used to. Now I'm just scared for those kids future.

[Alistan]

I have High Functioning Autism, I could read and write, but I am socially awkward, I suck at public speaking and some people made fun of me because I know facts of history, geography, and politics, calling me a retard and a "walking encyclopedia". Some people use me as a lab partner for information (this is why I hate working in groups a lot), and not working on anything at all.

So their calling you stupid and smart at the same time?
Meanwhile, I also get insulted for knowing a lot. It doesn't hurt me as much as it used to. Now I'm just scared for those kids future.

Yep, pretty much

I would not be surprised by how much ignorance is coming in the future.

Autistic people can change the world

[Dragonia Re Xzua]

If it were possible to reduce some of the less favorable traits associated with autism without affecting the more favorable ones (favorability judged from a perspective of how it affects one's interactions with others), I would endorse research into it.

This. As an autistic individual myself, I support this. Autism sucks at times (for me, it's comprehension difficulties), but it's not bad at the same time. Also (this was probably already said), why is it "cool" for someone on the internet to label someone autistic because they "did something retarded"? I just don't understand why there's bitter animosity towards us (well, from what I've seen anyways).

[Torisakia]

I haven't been diagnosed with Autism or any variation of it (even though my mom says she took me to get tested for it when I was a kid, and I don't remember it) but do have some symptoms that are linked to other disorders. For instance I'm very socially awkward, which is a symptom of autism IIRC, but have been diagnosed with Social Anxiety. So I'm not sure if that counts.

[Herargon]

If it were possible to reduce some of the less favorable traits associated with autism without affecting the more favorable ones (favorability judged from a perspective of how it affects one's interactions with others), I would endorse research into it.

This. As an autistic individual myself, I support this. Autism sucks at times (for me, it's comprehension difficulties), but it's not bad at the same time. Also (this was probably already said), why is it "cool" for someone on the internet to label someone autistic because they "did something retarded"? I just don't understand why there's bitter animosity towards us (well, from what I've seen anyways).

It would be equal to eugenetics, though...

[Dazchan]

This. As an autistic individual myself, I support this. Autism sucks at times (for me, it's comprehension difficulties), but it's not bad at the same time. Also (this was probably already said), why is it "cool" for someone on the internet to label someone autistic because they "did something retarded"? I just don't understand why there's bitter animosity towards us (well, from what I've seen anyways).

It would be equal to eugenetics, though...

Only if you have absolutely no clue what eugenics is.

[Confederate Ramenia]

Since this is a megathread, it needs to be bumped.

[Keshetar]

I also have milder Aspergers. My social interaction has got better up to the point where I am now seeing this girl who we both feel really comfortable with.

[Socialist Tera]

I have aspergers but I refuse to tell anyone about it and I like to pretend I don't have it. I wish there could be a cure for it, damn I would even opt to part of human trials.

[Kemintiri of Kemet]

I have High Functioning Autism, I could read and write, but I am socially awkward, I suck at public speaking and some people made fun of me because I know facts of history, geography, and politics, calling me a retard and a "walking encyclopedia". Some people use me as a lab partner for information (this is why I hate working in groups a lot), and not working on anything at all.

My friend.

I have found my twin.

[Independent State AF]

I also have milder Aspergers. My social interaction has got better up to the point where I am now seeing this girl who we both feel really comfortable with.

Good for you!
My girlfriend broke up with me not long back, but its good she accepts you, and if this comes across as sarcastic, its not meant to.

[Keshetar]

I think my girl has Aspergers to. Even though I personally see myself as a blessing, I can understand wanting to pretend to others you don't have it, for the sake of success in the world.

[StellarGate]

I have PDD-NOS, a very high-fuctioning version of Autism. It took them until middle school to figure out I wasn't acting the way I was because I was spoiled.

Its amazing how far I've come (and I've seen others like me) come with the proper help. I don't need medication any more and can even talk to strangers relatively easily. Not that I like to, but I can do it.

I think my girl has Aspergers to. Even though I personally see myself as a blessing, I can understand wanting to pretend to others you don't have it, for the sake of success in the world.

Well for me at least, I don't pretend to not have it, I've had to work through it so I could interact with others. I still have it, and I will tell other I have if they ask or notice something. I need to act 'normal' so I can get good grades, get a job, drive my car, etc. Stuff that gives me freedom to live my life the way I want to.

[Ratateague]

PDD-NOS with learning disabilities reporting in. My story is similar to the one above, in that I've come a long way. Likewise, I felt like a guinea pig with all the kinds of medications I went through, and now I take none. I remember early on (think late single-digit age) I would refer to nearly everything as "thing", even though I understood what it was, and had to be pressed to elaborate. The frustrating part of growing up was the divide in social development and finding adequate accommodation in school. I got teased a lot, left out, but never really got why and failed to see what I was doing differently. For a while, I didn't even understand the concept of sarcasm, but I learned and still have major difficulty. I'm told that and a strong sense of humor are nothing short of miracles, considering the nature of autism. The feeling of normativity I experience now is the same as it was then, despite massive progress through years of introspection and overcoming (what is considered) weakness. I've always felt like we were the ones expected to recognize what "normal" was in the context in larger society. Yet, when confronted by the less tolerant (almost always negatively) about the differences, I've never felt abnormal, only alienated or mistreated. Of course, when I reflect back on my old self, I can only laugh at how ridiculous I could be. That humor is cringe-worthy, though.

Many schools had advertised strong programs and few were able to deliver. All of the private schools we looked at blew so hard we didn't even attempt them. Although, I fondly remember one exemplary public school teacher who understood disability and had a major impact on me with their passionate teaching style. He truly understood what it was to be a kid and identify and care. Hell, he even took us on a field trip to the Goetze candy factory. That's devotion. None of the colleges that boasted strong accommodations lived up to the task, and much of what was offered was ill-equipped to handle anything outside of physical handicaps and neurological disorders, organization sessions, or writing workshops. Not so much help with the more subtle and pervasive learning disabilities and developmental disorders. I struggled constantly to make up for my weaknesses, wishing secretly I had spent that energy on my strengths instead. Many times I fell and had to pick myself back up again trying not to get discouraged. I hope education now is more accommodating and knowledgeable of a disabled student's needs.

[Keshetar]

I wouldn't put Aspergers under the "disability" umbrella. I do think there are some things that are disabilities, but Aspergers shouldn't be labeled that.

[Turmenista]

I don't know if ADD/ADHD falls under the line of Autism Spectrum, but I have ADHD, and looking on the wiki at Aspergers I found a bunch of mumbo-jumbo with ADHD in it. So, is ADHD similar?

[-The Unified Earth Governments-]

I wouldn't put Aspergers under the "disability" umbrella. I do think there are some things that are disabilities, but Aspergers shouldn't be labeled that.

I would

[Meryuma]

I have aspergers but I refuse to tell anyone about it and I like to pretend I don't have it. I wish there could be a cure for it, damn I would even opt to part of human trials.

Why?

[Settrah]

I have aspergers but I refuse to tell anyone about it and I like to pretend I don't have it. I wish there could be a cure for it, damn I would even opt to part of human trials.

Why?

Because some people actually want to live, and carry on their lives as able as they possibly can. Not everyone wants to be a victim.

[StellarGate]

Why?

Because some people actually want to live, and carry on their lives as able as they possibly can. Not everyone wants to be a victim.

Not all of us who don't want a cure for our own autism are victims. We just don't want it 'removed,' (if that can be done with a simple 'cure') or we don't need it removed because we have already overcome our disability.

I still think if there was a cure, I'd be all for it, help improve a lot of people's lives, but I wouldn't need to take it.

[Duvniask]

I don't know if ADD/ADHD falls under the line of Autism Spectrum, but I have ADHD, and looking on the wiki at Aspergers I found a bunch of mumbo-jumbo with ADHD in it. So, is ADHD similar?

No they do not fall under the Autism spectrum, though they overlap somewhat. Asperger's Syndrome has many comorbid conditions, some of which are fairly common. ADHD is one of those, so they can potentially co-occur. Some people are misdiagnosed, because distinguishing between the traits can be difficult.