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I refuse to be associated with all these traits...

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TheSpecialKid
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06 May 2009, 5:52 pm

glider18 wrote:
The guy you are referring to is me, glider18. I am an autistic savant. My musical ability and memorization skills in my areas of interest did not come by the same way as yours did. Mine came from autism. Without autism, I would not be where I am today musically, etc. I did not say I had a "golden ticket" to talent. I do not understand why I am able to play any musical instrument I become fascinated with in little time and without any training/lessons. I do not understand why when I was in school that I had memorized the statistics (year of build, designer, builder, height, length, etc.) of every roller coaster in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It just happened. So my way of doing these things is a result of autism---it is different. I play music professionally. I am probably the only autistic musician in our small musician's union group where I live. The other members in our union were mostly trained in college or in private lessons on their instruments. The instruments I mainly play today---I did not receive any training. As I said, it just happens.

I am not hindered by my narrow interests in the way you seem to be implying. I have been a school teacher for 21 years (I am a gifted intervention specialist), I am a church organist, I have been happily married for 19 years, and my wife and I have two sons. I do not have a social life like the NT population normally does---but that is not a hindrance to me because I do not seek out a social life. I am content and my family loves me.

I don't seek out interests in just moderation---I research research research until it's researched out. And I am plenty content with myself. If it weren't for this type of research---where would the world be?

And your opinion of AS as a joke from God---that isn't how it is in my book. I am a Christian and I thank God for making me autistic. I conduct a music ministry---and I openly give praise to God for my gift of autism. Yes---it throws people a bit to say that, but I explain that autism is a gift that needs to be unwrapped, accepted, and enjoyed---then it can become a remarkable gift.

I have plenty of so-called challenges in my life---but I tend to focus on the positives. That is why I am happy with myself. You have your opinion on autism, and I have mine. The only difference between our background on these statements on autism is that I am autistic.


Waaauuvv... I... Wow.. Well spoken, so beautiful!... I can relate to some my of this (except the teacher/married thing :P)
---

As for Asuigeneris1, please... I beg you.. It's okay to write what you feel about it, hey, that's sharing opinions.
But please... Don't type in bold. Most people say writing with capitals are yelling, I think it's more bold letters that makes the "yelling-effect".
Again thanks for sharing. What would the world be if we all agreed.



jdn74
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07 May 2009, 1:59 am

jimmister wrote:
* Being more vulnerable to abuse
* Having bad social skills
* Anything else that is negative


Why are those anti-cure people so aggressive?

For me, it kind of feels like a punishment from God, per se, considering this condition he gave me makes me more vulnerable to abuse. I am 17 and haven't been abused in person before because of my ASD, I am just a potential target. Why can't these anti-cure people just see the light for once? I feel a little bit like venting about God, but I wont.


I agree with your first 3 statements. I don't know that not having a "cure" equates to a lack of self-improvement. I also have a determination to not let these tendencies hinder me.

Although life has been harder in areas that others do not have, others have had it harder in areas that weren't for me. So is it really a curse? I feel like I've been blessed. I have the rest of my life to fine-tune abilities that come naturally to others, while at the same time I have natural abilities that don't come natural to others that they'll never be able to fine tune. I would think that puts me at an advantage.

As far as God is concerned, I feel like I can be closer to Him in ways others cannot. Because of the depth of my mind's perception, I can better appreciate things that I attribute to God that would be beyond anyone else. I become fixated at a sunset with the myriad of colors that are spread throughout the surrounding clouds, take a deep breath in awe, and think "This is God's ever changing painting in the sky just for me - He knew that someday I would look at this and think of Him", while others pass by, with an occasional glance, in oblivion. I feel like God has given me a deep appreciation for the beauty of His creation... like every spring when all the trees and plants bloom in their many colors... or during a solar maximum when I can see the Aurora Borealis fill the night sky with green, red, and white beams of light... or as I gaze at the bright blue leftovers of a bygone comet streaking across the sky (back in Nov. '98) while everyone else is fast asleep... and even while listening to the tweaks, lightning crashes, and whistlers reverberating in Earth's natural electromagnetic cavity within the the VLF/ELF frequency range.

It would be impossible for us to learn if we were incapable of changing our perspective. We may struggle with it more, but it isn't impossible. I think you're partially on the right track, except for the whole being mad at God thing... even then I think He can take it. He's pretty tough, but yet patient enough to walk you through it too.

Just keep an open mind. Cheers.


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marshall
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07 May 2009, 2:16 am

There's the part of it that's associated with negative traits but there's also a part that's simply part of my personality. If a "cure" could get rid of a few of the negative traits the make life difficult I would do it, but if a cure means completely changing my personality along with the way I think then, well, no thanks.



Asuigeneris1
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07 May 2009, 6:29 am

glider18 wrote:
Asuigeneris1 wrote:


People are "made" whatever way they are...AS is just one more of God's mean-spirited jokes in my book. LOL

As for the guy who feels he would lose his interests and talents by being "cured"...I am not an Aspie and am very talented in many avenues, autism isn't a golden ticket to having talent or interests.

If anything it seems to limit them a bit more at times, too much preoccupation and obsession can be a hindrance to seeking out a more balanced you.

I truly believe that an ability to seek out and enjoy "everything in moderation" makes someone more well-rounded and content on a whole.

...but don't get me wrong, I am NP and still have one hell of a time finding that balance within my life.


The guy you are referring to is me, glider18. I am an autistic savant. My musical ability and memorization skills in my areas of interest did not come by the same way as yours did. Mine came from autism. Without autism, I would not be where I am today musically, etc. I did not say I had a "golden ticket" to talent. I do not understand why I am able to play any musical instrument I become fascinated with in little time and without any training/lessons. I do not understand why when I was in school that I had memorized the statistics (year of build, designer, builder, height, length, etc.) of every roller coaster in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It just happened. So my way of doing these things is a result of autism---it is different. I play music professionally. I am probably the only autistic musician in our small musician's union group where I live. The other members in our union were mostly trained in college or in private lessons on their instruments. The instruments I mainly play today---I did not receive any training. As I said, it just happens.

I am not hindered by my narrow interests in the way you seem to be implying. I have been a school teacher for 21 years (I am a gifted intervention specialist), I am a church organist, I have been happily married for 19 years, and my wife and I have two sons. I do not have a social life like the NT population normally does---but that is not a hindrance to me because I do not seek out a social life. I am content and my family loves me.

I don't seek out interests in just moderation---I research research research until it's researched out. And I am plenty content with myself. If it weren't for this type of research---where would the world be?

And your opinion of AS as a joke from God---that isn't how it is in my book. I am a Christian and I thank God for making me autistic. I conduct a music ministry---and I openly give praise to God for my gift of autism. Yes---it throws people a bit to say that, but I explain that autism is a gift that needs to be unwrapped, accepted, and enjoyed---then it can become a remarkable gift.

I have plenty of so-called challenges in my life---but I tend to focus on the positives. That is why I am happy with myself. You have your opinion on autism, and I have mine. The only difference between our background on these statements on autism is that I am autistic.



Then for you it is a workable thing, for many it is not...and for most it makes life very hard for them, so I still consider it to not be a positive. I also don't consider being overweight a positive, because it too makes life more difficult for that person and has negative health connotations as well.

As for my remark about a bad joke from God, still believe that...that is if I am to believe in God at all, if there is one a warped sense of humor would be a given.

As for AS, obesity or any other issue we as humans tend to have on occasion...that doesn't mean that I have an issue with those people on a whole, we are all dealt a hand and all have to play the game with what we're dealt.

AS isn't a negative in the sense of the person necessarily, neither would obesity be...a person isn't only defined by those things, but to say they aren't deciding factors in what kind of life someone will lead would be denial.

...and you might be just as talented of an individual even if you weren't autistic, you will never know for sure.

The fact that you have managed what you have is wonderful, but look around you at the autistic community and you will see so many who can't even hold a job or maintain a relationship...you shouldn't speak for them as well, perhaps they might like to experience what you have and it's just out of reach.



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07 May 2009, 12:15 pm

My life has been challenging. But I do not dwell on it. I have even been through therapy for issues with parenting due to my autism. I refuse to dwell on my negatives---that is my message---I dwell on the positives---there is nothing wrong with that. As a result, I am successful in most endeavors. And I am happy.

God did not make autism as a joke.

My savant skill of music came from autism. I would not have had musical talent otherwise. You see, the reason music became an intense interest (and thus the savant skill) was because of my incredibly intense fascination with the instruments of which I play. I know this for a fact---I know how I operate in this sense. I was so fascinated as a child in the electronics of electric organs and synthesizers that I spent hours staring at them in music stores. I spent hours upon hours listening to those things play on recordings. The intense interest was in the instrument more than the music. So...I was then able to play the instruments I was fascinated in with no lessons and in little time---that is the savant skill. I am also intensely fascinated with roller coasters---and by the time I was in high school I had memorized the statistics of every roller coaster in North America without trying to memorize them.

I see the autistic community everyday. I teach in a public school that has several autistic children in it. One junior high boy is considered by the teachers as rather "severely autistic." To see him, one would consider him severe. He is "classic" autism. However, his parents have not dwelled on his so-called weaknesses. Instead they have instilled in him hope and confidence. He plays junior high football, runs junior high track, plays drums in the band, etc. He is on the honor roll. The kids here love him. He is popular and is very happy. He utilizes his gifts because those around him gave him hope---and he accepted it.

I do speak for those that are challenged---because hope can make anything possible. One must never say something is out of reach---with Hope anything is possible and it can be achieved. That is my message.


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millie
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07 May 2009, 1:00 pm

^ ditto to Glider18's post. (all except the God bit - no offence Glider18 - always respect your views, but we differ a leetle beet there. :wink:)
I do not want to be cured, healed, changed or messed with..

and I enjoy Glider18's frequent dipsersals of messages of hope. They are much needed and I can learn from them.


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TheSpecialKid
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07 May 2009, 1:37 pm

Asuigeneris1 wrote:
Then for you it is a workable thing, for many it is not...and for most it makes life very hard for them, so I still consider it to not be a positive. I also don't consider being overweight a positive, because it too makes life more difficult for that person and has negative health connotations as well.

As for my remark about a bad joke from God, still believe that...that is if I am to believe in God at all, if there is one a warped sense of humor would be a given.

As for AS, obesity or any other issue we as humans tend to have on occasion...that doesn't mean that I have an issue with those people on a whole, we are all dealt a hand and all have to play the game with what we're dealt.

AS isn't a negative in the sense of the person necessarily, neither would obesity be...a person isn't only defined by those things, but to say they aren't deciding factors in what kind of life someone will lead would be denial.

...and you might be just as talented of an individual even if you weren't autistic, you will never know for sure.

The fact that you have managed what you have is wonderful, but look around you at the autistic community and you will see so many who can't even hold a job or maintain a relationship...you shouldn't speak for them as well, perhaps they might like to experience what you have and it's just out of reach.


I don't think that he was saying anything but his own opinion.



glider18
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07 May 2009, 1:59 pm

Thank you TheSpecialKid---they are just my opinions. But I am happy that many here agree with me on those opinions.

Hi Millie, always good to hear from you even if you don't agree with everything :wink: . I appreciate your honesty and friendship. I need to save up some money because I would like to buy one of your paintings---they intrigue me. You are very talented.


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