aspergian underground network

Post Reply New Topic

Well for one, I dont always know if someone has aspergers. Next, even if they are aspergers, I dont always nessarily get along with them due to the fact that we both have social issues. So, I've never really tried to help one in person. Online, I've ran into a few and tried to chat and help if they needed it. Ideally, it sounds like a good idea but pratically sense, it doesnt quite work that way. If aspies could set up official networks, it might work better.

JRR, I didn't realise you meant a specific kind of asterisk. Yes, that makes it much more likely to be recognised. I like it. There's also something so aspie about saying "no, not any asterisk - that asterisk". To NTs an asterisk is an asterisk, but aspies being so detail oriented may notice the different kinds. (Clearly I wasn't aspie enough yesterday. )

The cool thing is there is even a Unicode character similar to your graphic, which means it could be used in text communication:

✻

This is the "Teardrop-Spoked Asterisk", Unicode character U+273B, HTML code

(without the space)



If that happens in only 5 years I would be very surprised by its success. Anyway, yes, it would eventually happen if the symbol takes off, but I think it would still have served a useful purpose in the meanwhile. Perhaps it will serve a useful purpose even once it does become "appropriated", as it would help raise awareness of AS and may lead people to the source of the symbol - aspies themselves, not some "awareness campaigner" like Autism Speaks.

Next step: Get every Aspie everywhere to agree to this plan. Good luck with that.

Because if I saw an asterisk on someone's resume, I'd be looking for the footnote at the bottom of the page!

The aspie community uses the following symbols, among others -

The Autistic Pride symbol:

The Autscape symbol:

The Autistic Self Advocacy symbol:
[img][800:247]http://iod.unh.edu/Images/ASAN_final_horizontal.gif[/img]
The Autistics Network symbol:

So which of those symbols shown above could an Aspie put on a resume without drawing the attention of people who are looking for reasons to reject a job candidate?

Generally speaking, employers tend to pay more attention to resumes that are uncluttered by graphics.

Perhaps a phrase like, "Rated INTJ on Myers-Briggs" or just "INTJ" would suffice, since many employers use Myers-Briggs tests to determine how well a person might fit in anyway.

I don't think putting this symbol on a resume was the intent.

But yeah. That little alien. Anyone else have an objection?

An earlier post (OP?) stated that there should be a way for Aspies who are in a position to help to recognize other Aspies in need of help. I interview candidates for technical positions, and can help by tutoring others in advance of what to expect. Therefore, I can help. All I need is to know who I'm helping.


How would it be displayed, and when? Do we have it tattooed on our foreheads and hands? Or do we just flash our "Aspie Card" whenever we think we need to?

I actually like the idea because at a summer job I was approached by an Aspie co-worker who confided in me and helped me to understand myself a lot better. In fact, if it weren't for him I probably wouldn't have continued on my current career path.

I think the snowflake asterisk would be a good symbol. Subtle, but just different enough that we would notice.

Indeed. That's why it's grown on me. Those colourful logos with the word "autism" are existing symbols and that's great, but they wouldn't work as a way for aspies to recognise each other without others noticing. If you're reading a resume and you see a teardrop-spoked asterisk somewhere, seemingly out of place, and there is no footnote to go with it, what would you think? If you've seen it before you'll probably recognise it. If not, you'll probably ignore it as an accidental keystroke or a fanciful mark of the start/end of the page or something like that. It's unlikely that you'd ask the candidate about it and you certainly couldn't Google it!

As for getting it adopted - that's an inherent problem with any new symbol. Sure, the chances of success are very low, but so is the cost of trying.

They can be easily disguised as bullet points or as part of a letterhead if used in larger type. Also, stating "INTJ" on a resume would be noticed by embedded aspies however HR staff or mid-managers would also see it as well, meaning the kiss of death for any hopes of a shoo-in job prospect, better to keep things on the DownLow until numbers and positions are fortified.

Oh, I understand what you're trying to say now.


I think you're being sarcastic, but I'll answer this the best I can. Truthfully, I can't think a situation where a "secret symbol" would appropriate.

Hi Ken, thanks for the colorful examples. I've also read up on the colorful 'puzzle' things for autism. The problem I have with them is that they're a bit too "over the top" and the rainbow is a LGBTQ thing already. It's a bit confusing. The puzzle thing for autism is alright, but I think us Aspies are getting a fair grasp of the patterns we have, making it less of a mystery than it once was.

I really think this "teardrop-spoked asterisk" is it. It can be as subtle or as loud as one wants. But, to me, most importantly, it actually has meaning - the empowering aspect of our particular interests / focuses. And, if I was hiring someone and saw that on a resume, I'd actually give them an edge - not, because of affirmative action, but because I'd know that if their job was their interest, they'd be incredible at it.

So, it's agreed (at least for most of us)?

Text: ✻

The "Teardrop-Spoked Asterisk", Unicode character U+273B, HTML code

Code:
& #10043;
(without the space)

Should we start a new thread on this and pass the word?

I expect this to spread rather well, given the reception, so far.

Yes, I think start a new thread. Since the asterisk was your idea it makes sense for you to do it and you can explain the meaning behind. Poor yamyam (OP) - it was his first post and the thread has gone way off-track!

I don't really share your optimism about it taking off, but as I said, the cost of trying is low. I was thinking of promoting it by putting a link my signature - just the asterisk, hyperlinked to the thread. Unfortunately, it looks like BBCode is not allowed in signatures, so no hyperlink. What's worse, even the asterisk doesn't appear - it gets escaped to the HTML code and the raw HTML code then gets displayed in the signature.

Like so:

Yeah, Making sense between two Aspies ain't always easy.


Sarcastic? Just a tad ... but I think you get the point. If we're going to have a "symbol of recognition", then (1) all Aspies should agree on it (or at least recognize it), and (2) we should all know when and where to use it.