Autism Spectrum Megathread

[Zakuvia]

Eastern New Mexico University.

So a box of cereal. No point waving it around then because the idea that Asperger's "doesn't exist" based on entirely anecdotal evidence is absurd. The fact that you came to the conclusion proves just how ruinous the American mental health system has become.

Nothing more than childish name-calling? What, pray tell, would be your accreditation to make that insult? None whatsoever? Thought as much. I don't honestly see why you see it as such a terrible thing that an illness has been fabricated. And my 'absurd, anecdotal' conclusion is based on referral after referral. And if you knew anything about patient-client confidentiality, you'd know better than to ask for numbers. Was I a statistical psychologist? No. Hardly. I was a clinical psychologist.

Oh God, I'm responding to trolls, what's become of me...

[Herargon]

Hello. My name is Old Tyrannia, and I have PDD-NOS.

I don't know, for some reason I actually find it much easier to communicate with people online than in the real world. I can proudly declare my ASD to a whole bunch of strangers from around the world in this thread, but I break into a cold sweat at the prospect of ordering in taxi and having to speak to someone I don't know over the phone.

Seconded.
I still dont really like ordering my own food.

Recognisable. I have difficulties talking to people if they're strangers to me. Especially girls.

[Herargon]

Its almost as terrifying as trying to hold a conversation with girls in person. Mind you I can do it damn well online, just..I flounder in person unless I really know the girl well.

This

[Zeinbrad]

Seconded.
I still dont really like ordering my own food.

Recognisable. I have difficulties talking to people if they're strangers to me. Especially girls.

Aren't you deaf?

[Herargon]

Recognisable. I have difficulties talking to people if they're strangers to me. Especially girls.

Aren't you deaf?

Yup. But I have a Cochlear Implantate. With that I am able to hear between 250-7000 Hz and 0-130 dB, and I can talk very well. I am able to speak Dutch, English, German, and Dutch sign language (which is extremely similar to Greek sign language) fluently. French also a bit but my French accent is horrible. As if you hear a fox reverse breathing while dying from a slug in his nose.

[Costa Fierro]

Nothing more than childish name-calling?

I haven't called you any names. I've called your assertion that Asperger's is non-existent "absurd" (which it is). Common consensus among mental health specialists is that it is a legitimate, although over diagnosed and relatively poorly studied, mental illness.

What, pray tell, would be your accreditation to make that insult? None whatsoever?

Accreditation doesn't really mean much when you have to keep using it in order to make a point. There are people who have had more experience in the field and have done extensive studies of Asperger's who claim it's a legitimate existing mental illness. Give me one reason why they are wrong.

I don't honestly see why you see it as such a terrible thing that an illness has been fabricated.

Because it hasn't been "fabricated". It is a legitimate mental illness. Just because you don't believe in it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

And my 'absurd, anecdotal' conclusion is based on referral after referral.

Which goes to show that Asperger's is over diagnosed, especially in the United States. People who may have other forms of autism or are just simply anxious are being diagnosed with Aspeger's for whatever reasons (drug sales probably). The fact of the matter is, the vast majority of people who claim to have Asperger's or are diagnosed with it probably don't have it. Those that do share a specific set of behavioral traits. Presumably, someone who is as qualified as you would know what these traits are.

And if you knew anything about patient-client confidentiality, you'd know better than to ask for numbers.

I haven't asked for any numbers. I've simply said "your argument is bullshit". Which it is. Because Asperger's exists. It's recognized as a legitimate mental illness worldwide.

Was I a statistical psychologist? No. Hardly. I was a clinical psychologist.

Was. This is interesting. Are you no longer a clinical psychologist?

Oh God, I'm responding to trolls, what's become of me...

Now, this is name calling.

[Zakuvia]

Was. This is interesting. Are you no longer a clinical psychologist?

Entered into military service. I have an Officer's package in the works to enter in as a Social Worker...it's sort of a catch-all for counseling in the Navy. Impossibly boring story I won't waste your time with. I wish I didn't have to.

Up until that point I was, put simply, a prison psychologist. Oddly heavy stuff to give to somebody who was fresh out of college, but I'd like to think I did well; good review from my supervisor.

I've given an explanation based on observation as to why I find Asperger's to be a nonexistent illness that is simply poor socializing skills that have been pathologized. I politely ask you to give me a tangible reason other than prior acceptance of 'misrepresented' data. Or are you saying that poor socializing truly is an illness full stop? I would be able to respect that, though I would disagree for obvious reasons.

[The Archregimancy]

So a box of cereal. No point waving it around then because the idea that Asperger's "doesn't exist" based on entirely anecdotal evidence is absurd. The fact that you came to the conclusion proves just how ruinous the American mental health system has become.

Nothing more than childish name-calling? What, pray tell, would be your accreditation to make that insult? None whatsoever? Thought as much. I don't honestly see why you see it as such a terrible thing that an illness has been fabricated. And my 'absurd, anecdotal' conclusion is based on referral after referral. And if you knew anything about patient-client confidentiality, you'd know better than to ask for numbers. Was I a statistical psychologist? No. Hardly. I was a clinical psychologist.

Oh God, I'm responding to trolls, what's become of me...

I'd be grateful if both of you could take a deep breath please.

Zakuvia, while I appreciate you were goaded hard, please don't accuse other people of being trolls if possible. Keep to the substance of the point.

Costa Fierro, if you're going to describe someone's hard-earned degree from a reasonably respected 80 year old public university as being 'from a box of cereal', you shouldn't be surprised when they react strongly.

[Digital Planets]

Nothing more than childish name-calling? What, pray tell, would be your accreditation to make that insult? None whatsoever? Thought as much. I don't honestly see why you see it as such a terrible thing that an illness has been fabricated. And my 'absurd, anecdotal' conclusion is based on referral after referral. And if you knew anything about patient-client confidentiality, you'd know better than to ask for numbers. Was I a statistical psychologist? No. Hardly. I was a clinical psychologist.

Oh God, I'm responding to trolls, what's become of me...

I'd be grateful if both of you could take a deep breath please.

Zakuvia, while I appreciate you were goaded hard, please don't accuse other people of being trolls if possible. Keep to the substance of the point.

Costa Fierro, if you're going to describe someone's hard-earned degree from a reasonably respected 80 year old public university as being 'from a box of cereal', you shouldn't be surprised when they react strongly.

But you have to admit, that's a rather funny comparison. Even though I don't have a degree. Or a well-respected 80-year old public university...

Fuck my life.

[Meryuma]

Proudly autistic (Asperger's), standing in solidarity with all neurodivergent people and opposing the disease/victimhood narrative. Also have OCD and GAD, which I"m... less cool with, but that's life.

[Zakuvia]

Indeed. I'll hold off on the 'T' word. I hadn't realized it carried that much weight here, but I stand corrected and won't use it again.

(But throne, that was an EXPENSIVE box of Rice Krispies... )

[The Archregimancy]

But you have to admit, that's a rather funny comparison.

I admit nothing of the sort.

Writing from the perspective of an academic with a doctorate from one of the top universities in the UK, "degree from the back of a cereal box" is a fairly well-known phrase used to disparage degrees from obscure institutions with questionable accreditation. This clearly does not apply here, and seems to have been used as a deliberate and not particularly well-informed attempt to disparage a degree from a reputable state institution.

[NuevoPaisVasco]

I was diagnosed with aspergers and I am popular in school and get good grades but when it comes to socializing I get nervous when I talk to people and can not look them In the eye and I find this difficult when it comes to build relationships with people. Because im not awkward I just have I hard time carrying out conversations because I just get nervous when that happens and this meme describes me perfectly http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q= ... 7897645889

[Digital Planets]

But you have to admit, that's a rather funny comparison.

I admit nothing of the sort.

Writing from the perspective of an academic with a doctorate from one of the top universities in the UK, "degree from the back of a cereal box" is a fairly well-known phrase used to disparage degrees from obscure institutions with questionable accreditation. This clearly does not apply here, and seems to have been used as a deliberate and not particularly well-informed attempt to disparage a degree from a reputable state institution.

I never knew that. I didn't even know it was a common phrase. I just thought it was funny.

[Costa Fierro]

Up until that point I was, put simply, a prison psychologist. Oddly heavy stuff to give to somebody who was fresh out of college, but I'd like to think I did well; good review from my supervisor.

Indeed. But I still don't understand how that determined your opinion.

I've given an explanation based on observation as to why I find Asperger's to be a nonexistent illness that is simply poor socializing skills that have been pathologized. I politely ask you to give me a tangible reason other than prior acceptance of 'misrepresented' data.

Not a problem. Wikipedia says:

• Repetitive and restricted interests and behavior.
• A lack of empathy or understanding of social behavior exhibited by other individuals.
• Pursuit of a narrow or specific interest.
• Repetitive motor behaviors (voluntary, not tics).
• Some speech abnormalities.
• Sophisticated vocabulary from an early age.
• Problems with motor skills, sleeping patterns and emotions.

There's a lot more to Asperger's than simply not being able to socialize, although I believe that's one of the cited reasons behind the over diagnosis of Asperger's, especially in America.

Or are you saying that poor socializing truly is an illness full stop? I would be able to respect that, though I would disagree for obvious reasons.

No. I am not. As I explained above, Asperger's isn't simply "poor socialization skills". It's a more complex set of behaviors and social development, of which poor socialization is one of those characteristics.

[Zakuvia]

Truthfully, the only one of those that ever seemed like it had potential as a separate diagnosis from other conditions was the motor abnormalities. The rest I could pin the 'blame' on Hooked on Phonics, or the fact that the terms are very fuzzy. 'Some Speech Abnormalities'. Sure, why not, but so does being hit with a golf club repeatedly in the mouth, if you'll pardon the hyperbole.

Frankly, I displayed most, if not all, of these conditions, but for reasons that are fully explainable by my upbringing and not due to a mental illness. Going off the Wikipedia list in my case....

1. What can I say? Batman and Power Rangers were cool to a five year old.
2. Again, poor socialization. Since rectified.
3. This is the same as #1, I'm flabbergasted that the board never noticed this in the DSM-IV Text Revision (YOU HAD ONE JOB, GUYS!)
4. I don't think I've ever experienced this. Most people have 'comfort actions' they perform. Chewing pencils, rubbing their foreheads, drumming their fingers, etc. I think mine is the second one, though I typically run my hand over my philtrum, as I used to have mustache.
5. So vague it boggles the mind. Stutter? Echolalia? Tourettes?
6. My mother is an English teacher. Hmm.
7. Can't see how these are so closely correlated as to all fit into one 'spot', but whatever. I'll ignore the first part, because it's already covered in number 4 (ONE JOB!). The second bears some scrutiny, but I would wonder if the fact that people who don't socialize well typically tend to be poor sleepers already figures into it. And Emotional problems go hand in hand with feeling ostracized due to the cycle of pushing people away with a focused interest causing people to introvert into their personal hobbies, ad nauseum.

[Costa Fierro]

Truthfully, the only one of those that ever seemed like it had potential as a separate diagnosis from other conditions was the motor abnormalities. The rest I could pin the 'blame' on Hooked on Phonics, or the fact that the terms are very fuzzy. 'Some Speech Abnormalities'. Sure, why not, but so does being hit with a golf club repeatedly in the mouth, if you'll pardon the hyperbole.

I don't find that amusing. Did you read the article or not?

Frankly, I displayed most, if not all, of these conditions, but for reasons that are fully explainable by my upbringing and not due to a mental illness.

I display all of these conditions. People with actual Asperger's do. Being socially awkward is just being socially awkward. That's not having Asperger's.

And Emotional problems go hand in hand with feeling ostracized due to the cycle of pushing people away with a focused interest causing people to introvert into their personal hobbies, ad nauseum.

Except this isn't the case. Emotional problems include having anger management issues, among other things. "Being an introvert" (again with the socialization) is not the defining characteristic of Asperger's, as I pointed out. It is one of them.

Again, have a look at the characteristics or traits. These are not simply based in and around social interaction, but a whole list of other behaviors and development.

[Costa Fierro]

From the link posted in my previous post, I read this:

He can become quite defensive when she asks for clarification or a little sympathy. The defensiveness can turn into verbal abuse (usually not physical abuse) as the man attempts to control the communication to suit his view of the world.

Now I'm actually scared about entering into any kind of meaningful relationship.

[Zakuvia]

I don't find that amusing. Did you read the article or not?

I was going off the Wikipedia list. Having said that (and having now read said article, which I'm guessing I missed earlier) I'm confused. The Echolalia (repeat-back speech) and the more clearly defined motor and tactile quirks are the things I see in cases of 'true' autism, not Asperger's. Frankly, I'm glad they decided to make it a rising scale, as this definition of Asperger's might as well just be low level (or high functioning if you're feeling chipper) autism. Maybe I've just been seeing things the wrong way about it.

Are people saying that Asperger's is separate from Autism, or are people saying that Asperger's is just a lesser form of it? In my experience, people have treated Apserger's as a separate illness from autism, and it has ground my professional gears for years.

[The Liberated Territories]

Yes, I have Aspergers Syndrome. Although I do find this label quite contentious and relatively too elastic to accurately portray my personality tendencies, of which I don't see it any more than that.

[Meryuma]

From the link posted in my previous post, I read this:

He can become quite defensive when she asks for clarification or a little sympathy. The defensiveness can turn into verbal abuse (usually not physical abuse) as the man attempts to control the communication to suit his view of the world.

Now I'm actually scared about entering into any kind of meaningful relationship.

Sounds like it has more to do with patriarchal socialization than autism qua autism. Not everyone on the spectrum is a straight cis dude.

'true' autism, not Asperger's.

ugh

[Costa Fierro]

Are people saying that Asperger's is separate from Autism, or are people saying that Asperger's is just a lesser form of it? In my experience, people have treated Apserger's as a separate illness from autism, and it has ground my professional gears for years.

It depends. Whilst most people agree it does exist, placing it within the spectrum has proven difficult and it is still up for debate as to whether it's a separate illness or part of the autism spectrum.

Generally speaking, it's considered part of the autism spectrum (and classified as "high functioning") much like other disorders and illnesses on it. I can't remember whether or not it's classified as such in the United States.

Yes, I have Aspergers Syndrome. Although I do find this label quite contentious and relatively too elastic to accurately portray my personality tendencies, of which I don't see it any more than that.

No one person with Asperger's is exactly the same. They do, however, share the same set of behavioral and developmental traits.

[Costa Fierro]

Sounds like it has more to do with patriarchal socialization than autism qua autism. Not everyone on the spectrum is a straight cis dude.

I'm not so sure. I do tend to be pretty controlling when it comes to arguments. And I have the tendency to not stop arguing with someone until they give up or conform to what I consider to be "right".

[The Liberated Territories]

Are people saying that Asperger's is separate from Autism, or are people saying that Asperger's is just a lesser form of it? In my experience, people have treated Apserger's as a separate illness from autism, and it has ground my professional gears for years.

It depends. Whilst most people agree it does exist, placing it within the spectrum has proven difficult and it is still up for debate as to whether it's a separate illness or part of the autism spectrum.

Generally speaking, it's considered part of the autism spectrum (and classified as "high functioning") much like other disorders and illnesses on it. I can't remember whether or not it's classified as such in the United States.

Yes, I have Aspergers Syndrome. Although I do find this label quite contentious and relatively too elastic to accurately portray my personality tendencies, of which I don't see it any more than that.

No one person with Asperger's is exactly the same. They do, however, share the same set of behavioral and developmental traits.

Which still begs the question. Is a generalized label sufficient enough to distinguish "Aspies" from "neurotypicals," and if so, is it even desirable when such a label can cause rifts, identity confusion, entitlement, and/or stereotypes to appear?

And also, who does this label qualify? Anyone with a shred of eccentricity seems to be an Aspie now, and it makes the whole diagnosis seem frivolous.

[Costa Fierro]

Which still begs the question. Is a generalized label sufficient enough to distinguish "Aspies" from "neurotypicals," and if so, is it even desirable when such a label can cause rifts, identity confusion, entitlement, and/or stereotypes to appear?

Not really. But let's look at it this way: more people are talking about it today than they were ten and twenty years ago. The discussion and debate on what constitutes Aspeger's and where it can be placed on the spectrum, if it can, is good because it will promote further study and finally determine our place in the world.

And also, who does this label qualify? Anyone with a shred of eccentricity seems to be an Aspie now, and it makes the whole diagnosis seem frivolous.

This actually stems from ignorance about Asperger's and people who have it. People saying "I don't socialize well, therefore I have Asperger's" is just expressing ignorance. The only way it can be resolved is through greater exposure and education about it. Sounds idealistic but might as well make the most of the attention whilst the spotlight is still on it.