Do you still believe in the Autistic Community & Culture

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The autism community seems to appear mostly as an on-line culture.

It is pretty natural that Aspies do not form the same social organizations as NTs, because they are Aspies and not NTs. Therefore, we should not expect large hierarchial organizations in the autistic community, unless we let NTs create those for us. It is really as easy as that. Aspies are not adapted for such socialization. Already several years ago I anticipated that large online forums would tend to either get disorganized and fall apart, or become headed by NTs or NT social policies, and I've seen this happen on more than one forum. It is not natural for Aspies to gather in large communities.

Well I have hope for the future but I hope that I am neither too optimstic, hasty or cynical.

The thing is that autistic culture will always be different to NT culture.

One of the problems is that many people with AS/HFA are unaware of the reason for their difference, and we do sometimes have difficulty spotting each other.

One of the ways forwards which I can see is for the older and more functional aspies to try to provide some assistance to the younger ones, I call this trying to put something back into the community. I would strongly advise any aspie here who has a aspie friendly job which they are about to put out an advert for to tell the others on the forum. It could take the form of a new forum here. My reasonsing is that we could increase aspie employment and training if the older aspies provide help to the younger aspies in this way.

I came to the wrong planet wanting the answers to a series of questions about myself, I made contact with my own kind and I think that as a result I am more happy. So I feel a debt to the wrong planet community so I would like to put something back into the community.

_________________
Health is a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity I am not a jigsaw, I am a free man !

Diagnosed under the DSM5 rules with autism spectrum disorder, under DSM4 psychologist said would have been AS (299.80) but I suspect that I am somewhere between 299.80 and 299.00 (Autism) under DSM4.

KenG: I think you are underestimating yourself as you have made appreciable contributions. Your aims are ambitious and this is good.

As to your query: Regardless of the fact that I am an autonomous human being (no pun intended), we, as Autistic/AS individuals do have a community as evidenced by the Wrong Planet (and related); we are the Culture of Autism. Since the advent of cyberspace those of us on the spectrum have congregated.

With most assuredness, I can state that my paternal grandfather was an Aspie. He was a chemist/physician and really shy, even reclusive. But he notably corresponded by postal mail with other men who were 'like himself.' If he were alive he'd would beyond appreciate how the 'culture' has evolved - and your vision, KenG.

Granted, changes move slowly. This is likely not a good example, but in the American 1960's there was a major civil right movement. Still today, the USA is changing with regard to what transpired in that era. Another example is the Culture of the Deaf and ours is analogous.

I plan on attending Autscape in August 2011 (if my busy PhD schedule will allow)! Also, soon enough I'll earn my PhD. Given my position, I am guarded about my AS (although a few know) and may be regarded as just 'very shy' and quiet by outsiders. But I am proud to be Autistic and I'd not choose otherwise (if it were indeed a choice).

KenG: I attended a SARG event (Scottish Autism Research Group) this past autumn with plenty of amazing exhibit and speaker with Autism. I was proud of their work and that I am part of them! I met a gifted artist/painter, and plenty others.

Then, a female grad student with AS spoke aloud at the SARG event - she was without confidence. (OK, on a personal note here...I kind-of did not like her, but nevermind). She said she hated her AS. She said it made her "unlikeable." That AS was a hinderance. My inside reaction? Really? Girl, look around at all the posters, paintings, exhibits, etc. I am sad she felt her AS is shameful - that's what made her "unlikeable" (using her term). If one with AS shuns their AS, then they are shunning themselves.

Carry on KenG. We are a culture and we are emerging. One whom I work with (and so much like!) was a teacher long ago. She said that within the last decade (or so), so much has changed with how AS is regarded. Precisely. And we'll continue to change our status in this world.

So many prominent scientists, artists, etc. with AS and we've given freely of our talents to this world. We do not deserve to be so harshly judged. Thank you for all you do, KenG.

I know I've posted this on the Wrong Planet before, but I'll post again in case KenG has not yet seen it.


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1SoL4UfPNI[/youtube]

KenG, this link may be of interest, Autism Hangout, where host Craig Evans features most everything, such as one-on-one interviews with such individuals as Tony Attwood, Temple Grandin, Donna Williams, Stephen Shore, Rudy Simone, and more.

If you are inclined, you might even contact Craig Evans. Not to be too bold, but maybe he'd be interested in your work regarding the Culture of Autism. (Who knows, maybe he'd even interview you). In any case, it's a reference:

http://www.autismhangout.com/

I've been a bit confused by this thread.

There IS an autism community and culture. How can one not believe in it? How that is defined and its future directions are a different issue entirely. There seems to be a lot of tension in the autistic community centered on those issues. I'm actually taken aback by some of the open hostility displayed by some factions. But since I'm so new to the autism universe, I can't really offer much of an opinion on the matter.