Asperger Syndrome and Culture?

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Wow, if anything, I would think the stereotype is that Asians, not Westerners, are more left brained than Westerners! The stereotype is that Asians value tradition (i.e., sameness, routine), attention to detail (the Japanese auto industry) and rigid protocol (Japanese social hierarchy), and conscientiousness to the more right-brained norms of the United States.

No offense intended, but all I should say is that I highly doubt the credibilty of the left/right brain theories.

And now for something I found on another AS board:

http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com/phpBB2/ ... php?t=1301

It seems like in Japan, there is a general lack of information on autism...but more interesting is that it has brought up the topic on cultural differences and AS.

But take note of these two messages:

For this one, I can tell you that it is similar in Chinese culture, where your family name is put before the personal name.

Hmm. Punks and nerds generally get on well even if the Nerds are 'teachers pets'. Same with most small subcultures. Punk is a form of Rock music, for one. And Nerds are amongst the Rock music fans by far. I admit, I count under this. Lets see. My PC table CD rack, and 1/4 of another are all full of Rock CDs and I have only got like 10% of the ones I want.

I have many freinds who r either punks, goths, nerds or another sub group.
My mate Shaun: Goth
Nathan: Punk
Steven: Nerd
Oleg: Russian who lives in UK
Kevin: The StickMan....
Robert: LOTR nut.. Also a rugby player, which is useful if I ever get attacked

The different cultures and subsultures have different ways to respond to AS. Western culture I think is not that great in its emphasise on socialising, but it can be good in the therapy culture and by the sense of soul searching. Asian culture is good in its work ethics, but it puts the family before the individual (which can be bad).

Punks- they treat AS quite well as I have not had problems from punks as they are friendly.
Skaters and extreme sports fans- friendly to AS and enjoy the individuality.
Hippies- friendly and are impressed by individuality.
Goths- awesome and impressed by individuality.
Nerds- very similar.
Metalheads- impressed by individuality.
Chavs- scum. They are crap-brained, dumbass, conformist b*****s who despise all who can actually think for themselves and do not need to drag their knuckles around.

I'm probably the wrong person to ask, since I am studying in an institution that prides itself on being nerdy and weird. So I would say that the grass is definitely greener in my tiny patch of the field, but conformism is probably more rampant in other environments in the US. The students here are noticeably more intellectually independent and curious than your average S'porean automaton who is in school just to earn grades. I did notice, though, that other aspies here (yes, there is a small aspie club in my college) don't seem to have family problems: their families seem to be quite supportive of their condition, unlike mine. One thing that works against AS, though, is that Americans are generally noisier and more extroverted.

I am not aware of this stereotype, at least not in a specifically Asian context. Doesn't it apply across cultures?

I think the UK system is alright actually. I think it's hard to escape superficiality at pre-university levels, since you have to strike a balance between a successful but shallower understanding versus teaching profound material that will not be understood by most. I'm also doubtful that "Asian" education systems particularly favour "attention to detail", but S'pore is not a good case study since it copies the UK.

Not that I'm trying to correct or insuly anybody, but wasn't it mention earlier that S'pore imitates the Swiss school system? Because now people are saying UK.

Anyways, US has some major regional differences when it comes to culture and society. It's like multiple countries sharing the same name sometimes. I live in Florida. While geographically, it's Southern, the culture is not. It's not you're stereotypical Southern state.

I don't know anything about S'porean culture, but most people here accept me for who I am. I don't conform, and people don't care. Well, most people. I go to a weird school, at least that's what most people say when they move here. A lot of people do drugs, so conforming is no big deal.

Sarcastic_Name,

I don't see anyone who likened the Swiss educational system to the S'porean system. Singapore has a standardised UK-style A-level examination system, and most of the exams are still graded by examiners in Cambridge.

OK, I was a little wrong. I said Singapore imitates, which is something like emulating.

It is interesting that the Singaporeans still use the UK to inspire them. The presence of the empire is all around.

As a Singaporean: Not true. People are people and people are trivial.




I hated it in the US, frankly. (Though, I was in the midwest - shittiest place on earth) In the US there is a similar sort of discrimination/conformity... but, you're more likely to meet eclectic people if you're in big cities like nyc.

Well, I would really think europe is best for aspies, especially german. they're much more openminded. Minus places like nth England and rural areas, of course.



It's probably more affectionate in other areas, afaik. But there's also a strong sense of community/prejudice whichever.

Hooray for resurrecting a long-dead thread! I didn't know it existed!

I have been wondering for some time now whether the presence of tonal languages has an affect on diagnosis of ASD's. I mean, if a person has trouble picking up tone of voice as many people on the Spectrum do, how on earth do they survive with a language where there are four different words that only vary by the tone of voice?!

Why, hello!

I am extremely sensitive to tone of voice. It affects me greatly if somebody sounds harsh or whatever. So, I understand that pretty well! It's just when people mispronounce things or have a very thick accent that I don't understand. It's the same with English, basically.

I speak very standard chinese. One of the things I never got was why people couldn't do pinyin. (ie: Assign the tone & the English syllables to Chinese words.)

Also, with things like Japanese the tone is more subtle and less pronounced. But that goes hand in hand with culture, IMO.

Interesting! I had heard that there are a fair few Aspies/Auties that have trouble distinguishing tone of voice.

one of the first few things that struck me was how my 'weirdness' had never been spotted. i do recall several occasions where my mother was called down to school regarding my 'odd' behaviour. a nun asked her if i had a learning disability due to the fact that i didn't interact and seldom spoke, even when spoken to. her immediate reaction was that of outrage and surprise, "i can not shut her up at home! she never stops asking me questions!"

a little late to resurrect this thread?

hi to all singaporeans on WP!

I did not know that MOE now requires something as stupid as peer testimony. I am a Singaporean too although I am probably a little older than you. This system of having peers write testimonies will almost certainly victimize Aspies. Can you please confirm? How does the system actually work?