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not only are you generalizing its radical and goes beyond ratinoal norms. I interact with people and I have friends who I go on and off with due to my sometimes lacking the pleasure that comes from social situations (no its not from bad experiences I love people I hate the masquerade they surround themselves in). Its a different hard wiring and a more efficent hardwiring we lack social skills because we see through the masquerade.

Think about it we're going to a ball where everyones wearing customes and mask and we just come in like "huh I didn't know this was a costume affair." So we look on out of place ebcause unlike everybody else theres no wall, no mask we have anxiety because we're out of place we didn't come dressed for the occassion. I personally have friends and had many girlfriends and I most likely have as considering how many symptoms I have if not I have something else either way this is no tragedy this is to gain a better understanding of myself.

It seems to me that many people with AS latch into science and fall into a group mind function where ebcause science labels AS as a defect then that must be the truth. Yea like the theory of creation where a one in a million chance (thats probably an understatement) a big bang made all the planets and then we have a one in a million (probably an understement) of life forming in goo, then we just happen to survive an ice age that kills off the dinosaurs. We're pretty lucky then its like we won the lottery like 3 times.

In the end you create your own reality you walk in to a situation thinking you are a defect which makes the situation unnescarily stressful for both parties indicating that you do not get the outcome you hope to. You need to make people feel they will be missing out on something without you in their lives. You need to work on social skills like you work on anything your interested in you just don't give up you work on it and eventually you find your niche.

For instance I went to my school with a santa hat on that said "Bah Humbug" and even as out of place as I did I made 2 friends that day in a school with probably about 300 students on the fact that I was rocking my Santa hat. I looked damn sexy in my santa hat as a matter of fact maybe I'll post pictures when I'm feeling a bit more festive. AS is not a defect its a difference just like everyone who has NT has different advantages and disadvantages they came up with a name for this one out of "normal" human's want to feel superior to another group personally I think the joke's on them.

OK this post is extremely annoying!

What defect? It's a difference - not a defect! That's like calling dark skin a defect!



There's no such thing as normal.



That doesn't follow. A difference is not a disease or some other defect - so why should it be "cured"? Can you cure black skin by simply painting it?



We have friends. I have friends (I'm an Aspie). We are only "awkward nerdsicles" in the eyes of people like you who are intolerant of difference.



So do a lot of other things that one can't help. So what do you do? You adjust. Or if you can't you move to somewhere (metaphorically speaking) that you can. What happens to refugees for example? Do you want to cure refugees?



I'm thinking, and I want to be an Aspie. I am an Aspie. And proud of it.



Garbage.



Only because we aren't being given enough information - and we are entitled to it!



The only people we don't get along with are people like you. The intolerant.



So? You're talking like that's a bad thing! What ever happened to being an individual? Do you have a problem with that?



Again - that's a bad thing? We can do terrific things within special interests! Why is that a bad thing? If an Aspie has a special interest in medicine he or she would save lives - and theoretically VERY effectively! Explain to me how that is a bad thing (and that's just one example of many)!



The biggest tragedy here is your complete lack of understanding. We can talk. We are keen to talk. The only reason we don't is because people like you don't want to listen. So don't blame us for something that is YOUR doing!



I personally hate what Autism Speaks is trying to accomplish - eugenics. There is no cure, and the sooner people like you, Selo, accept us for who we really are and the benefits we present to the world, the better it will be for everyone.

(Good to see Droopy got booted!)

TLPG,

you are awesome.

As for Autism Speaks, I wouldn't have a problem with them if they:

1. Didn't promote eugenics.

2. Didn't ignore adult auties.

I'm not anti-cure, as long as those who don't want one for themselves aren't forced to be cured.

Amen to that, i pray that never happens!

My whole agenda. I don't want to be cured personally, but I know people who do want to be cured, and I'm okay with that, that's their decision. Look at Autism Speaks approach like getting on the bus:

You're sitting there at the bus-stop, going to walk home in a few minutes. A bus comes along and picks up people at the bus-stop. Not everyone wants to take a ride on the bus. Before the driver leaves , he says "Oy, don't you want to come on too?", and you reply "No, not really, I'm okay sitting here.", to which the bus driver replies, "No, you HAVE to get onto this bus!"
"I don't want to."
"Yes you do!!"
"No I don-"
And then the driver gets up from his seat and shoves you into the bus. So there you are, taking a ride you never wanted to go down in the first place, with people you never wanted to know, and most likely on the wrong bus to take you home!!

I know that my life has been harder due to being an aspie. However, even with having learned of AS recently I have lived my life while overcoming and dealing with all that is my AS. I am now middle aged and not only LOVE my aspiness, I have real friends IRL too.

I would chose to be an aspie if given the chance. I will accept no cure. I am against eugenics. And I don't at all mind being a nerdsicle.

Oh I DO hope so...it would mean SO MUCH to me...

This is very important to note. Most of the parents on AutismSpeaks, most parents in general, have never ever heard of Neurodiversity. Most parents come to these boards completely unaware of autism politics, wars, different perspectives, etc. It's good to know this when talking with these parents. For many, it's the first they've ever heard of the notion and it's pretty mind blowing for them (us.) Which does not mean that no one will be open to the idea of Neurodiversity, just that coming around to acceptance can take time. I observe that many parents get on board slowly, as their child ages, and it becomes apparent that autism is not going away altogether.

Certainly there are parents who are very aware of Neurodiversity and fight tooth and nail against anyone who speaks of it. But, really, this is a minority - a vocal minority, but a minority all the same. Most parents just want to find a way to live peacefully with autism - that's why they go online to learn more. Many come seeking a cure (AKA "hope,") and many evolve into appreciating more about their child.

I believe that it's the great (vocal) minority who are mean and bigoted against the idea of accepting autism. The idea is very confusing to a lot of parents because they are unfamiliar with what Neurodiversity is all about. And granted, it can take some time for people to understand what we're getting at. But many evolve into understanding, especially as their child gets older.

........

...and sadly, most parents exist without ever encountering the concept of equal, but different, adult autistic who can speak for, and define, themselves..

M

Yes, I agree. But I believe the Interent is rapidly changing that.

Thanks, Beau!

And I just want to point out that the ONLY cure for a genetic condition is eugenics. I doubt anyone would support eugenics as a cure.

Mechanima, getting past Diva on the JB enemy top whatever doesn't get you to the top. The top spot is occupied by Amanda Baggs. Just thought I'd point that out!

I know

I've come to find that when many parents say "cure", they mean they want to make their kid's life better. I'm completely in support of that. Just as long as it's not done by chelation, hBOT or whatever. Those do more harm than good. Especially chelation.

Last edited by beau99 on 21 Dec 2007, 5:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

No, but the vast majority of people are NT and most groups and organizations are NT too. I can't see Aspies socializing with big groups of NTs, which is what I meant by groups. And I do think online groups are real groups, but when you can't see the face or hear the voice or anything of the people you're talking to, all the real socializing aspect is gone. It's just text. There's no idea as to the personality behind the thousand keyboards, which means no social practice for those with AS.


And you're perfectly entitled to your opinion on that; I'm just stating mine.


Then God bless you, because you are one of the ones brave enough to put yourself out there. Though I don't understand what you mean by "masquerade" because people always just be who they are (or want to be, which is fine).


It's not just a label for people who are different. It is, again, a medical condition formally recognized by trained doctors. Doctors aren't a group who want to feel superior - they're there to help people with medical issues which is why they are doctors. It's nuts that you think doctors and scientists, who work for the benefit of millions of other human beings, would make something up to feel smug.


AS is a difference (of production of chemicals in the brain) which results in defects (trouble socializing). So whichever anyone wants to call it, one just leads to the other. Being black is a difference but has no consequences. That's why the two aren't the same.


I will repeat myself: the difference causes the defect. If you cure the difference, the defects will go away too. With black skin there is no defect, only a difference.


And thank god for the Aspies with friends, because they're the ones who actually try and get some.


Excuse me? I have AS. Also, I love difference because everyone is different and clones are no fun. I am in full support of diversity but you seem to be confusing what "difference" means; you think being AS or NT is the only thing that sets people apart, and that's your definition of difference.


Which is exactly my point, but a lot of people with AS seem so resistant to changing their social drawbacks that it's sad. The ones I don't like are the Aspies who go "I want to be accepted, but I can't make eye contact so I'm too scared to try and make friends!" Some don't work on their troubles, they just wish they would go away, and those Aspies I think we need to find a cure for because they want to cure themselves (and can without medicines) but don't try.


Tell that to the doctors who recognize lack of empathy as one of the main AS symptoms.


You are, but what I meant by not understand what they're being told is that the vast majority of Aspies can't understand body language, facial expressions, or tone of voice. They are definitely smart enough to understand something if someone explains everything to them, but that's really tedious for the ones trying to convey the message.


1) I have AS and I get along with intolerant people. 2) I'm not intolerant, just trying to prove my point without people denying their social troubles every second.


It's not bad to be very interested in something, but it's generally not healthy to be interested in only one thing. If all someone does is think about medicine, they'll have the knowledge to save lives, but not the experience because they're too busy studying medicine to practice it. They may think about stuff and not actually do it, or vice-versa depending on what they're into. Just an example.


If you want people to listen, talk about something they're willing to listen to. And if you don't want to talk about that, find someone who does want to talk about your original topic. It happens to NTs too, not just Aspies.


Eugenics is not the only cure, but that aside, even if there is no cure there is the possibility that those with AS will have the incentive to go off and socialize. I'm fine with how smart Aspies are, I just think it's a bit pathetic how most of them can't succeed in social situations.

I would also like to say that if a cure is found, I do believe that people should only be cured if they want to be. No one should be forced, and though I still don't understand why anyone would want to live with something like AS, that doesn't mean I want those people to be cured against their will.

Then please explain how I can interact with big groups of NT's.




I am HFA. But I AM NOT defective in ANY way.


Same thing with AS and autism.


They're idiots.


Oh please.


LOL. I'd rather be alone. Sorry you think I'm pathetic.

Say hi, ask questions, seem interested, make jokes, don't get mad even if something angers you, don't get scared of failing, and tons more. That's just for starters.


Huh? AS and pure autism are two different things. Autism is a whole cluster of things so it can't really be called a difference or a defect.


If you do want to be alone, you're not pathetic. The pathetic ones are the ones who don't want to be alone but don't do anything about it. They're also not pathetic if they do something but don't succeed, because at least they try.