Sorry to start a new thread when there's one on this topic already, but it wouldn't let me reply to the existing thread.
I don't have autism but I'm very interested in learning more about it; especially, how it relates to the MBTI (I'm an INTJ).
I saw 6 episodes of Ingenious Minds on the Science Channel this morning & I saw something that makes me question my understanding of the MBTI.
Most of the autistic people in the show seemed to lean toward the N-Intuitive side of the spectrum. For example, Robert Gagno, the pinball champion, was described as a big-picture guy, which is an N-intuitive trait.
The episode on Temple Grandin, the professor of animal science, really threw me for a loop. She claims to be completely concrete-bound & unable to think of anything in the abstract, which is something you would expect more from an S-Sensing personality, rather than an N-Intuitive personality.
Is it unusual for someone with autism to have strong S-Sensing tendencies?
Sensing (empiricism)
This is the person with the facts (loves the details)
Chicago School of economics tests theories w/ detailed empirical evidence (indeterminate #s)
Inductive reasoning: reach conclusion through experience
Goes more by facts (situational) than principles (universal)
Essential to try things with own hands (prefers step-by-step hands-on approach)
Intuitive (rationalism)
Sees the big picture (sees where everything fits)
Gets bored with the details
Austrian economic theory is based on pure abstract reasoning
Deductive reasoning: reach conclusion through argument (geometry)
Goes more by principles (universal) than facts (situational)
Relies more on abstractions than concrete & present information (situational)
Prefers conceptual math to procedural math
Easily perceives ways in which events could develop (chess)
Pays more attention to possible sequence of events than current situation
Prefers to share recent thoughts more than recent experiences
Purpose of education: gain theoretical knowledge to guide practical application