Why is the aspie stereotype ugly?

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04 May 2009, 11:10 am

I think it could be because aspies are generally unpopular because we have poor social skills, and NTs can't be bothered to think WHY they don't like us, so they assume that if someone's unpopular it must be because they're physically unattractive.

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Sorenna
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04 May 2009, 11:14 am

They get ASP confused with NERDS?

By the way, I love geeks.

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04 May 2009, 11:15 am

ooOoOoOAnaOoOoOoo wrote:

To me it's very superficial and narrow minded to assume all of a population are going to be attractive or ugly and then expect everyone to conform to that stereotype. It is so not true. For one thing, sometimes people who are stereotyped as being ugly because of a genetic condition end up being really attractive because they do cool things with their hair, makeup and clothes that make them more attractive.
I went to a movie once and saw someone who most might consider "ugly" because of her genetic condition and most would not bother giving someone like her the option of looking good. They would rationalize and say "well she's hopeless so why waste time on her when there's me and I can be aware of it blah blah blah".
However, this person was with parents and they must have done an excellent job at giving her a sense of self esteem because she looked fabulous. She was well groomed, clean, had makeup, a hip hair style and the coolest clothing. I am sure it makes life easier whomever you are to at least work on the stuff you have control over...stuff like hygeine, clothing, hair, makeup.
When I saw that chick I thought she must have the coolest parents. They are aware of what others will think based on superficial observations and they try to offset some of the negative reactions by using fashion to encourage approachability and keep her from being the obvious object of ridicule. In other words, here appearance didn't scream "hey, I'm different and inferior to you. Please treat me with contempt!"

Well said, and this goes even more for people with invisible neurological variations like AS. It's quite possible to use a good fashion sense and good hygiene to prevent that sort of patronizing and ridiculing.

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04 May 2009, 12:23 pm

I'll admit, I'm guilty of stereotyping as much as anyone. When I'm feeling like a self-hating Asperger, some of the more unkempt AS/Autistic people I've seen come to mind. The image of the obese, unwashed man-children playing online games all day and night, surrounded by empty food containers... Or Christian Weston Chandler. If you don't know the later, go see the Encyclopedia Dramatica page or search him on Youtube. This pretty much sums up the stereotype that gets stuck in my mind sometimes.

In reality, I think alot of us are unfashionable (I am myself), but (I'm hoping) most of us try to look somewhat presentable.

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04 May 2009, 7:09 pm

nothingunusual wrote:

That very stereotype is something which risks turning everything any aspie thinks, writes or does into a distortion, making us all CWC by default in the eyes of the majority. Encyclopedia Dramatica and similar are much more influential than the aspie individual in its categorical perversions of the truth. One of the criteria listed for aspies is "ugliness".

AlMightyAl
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04 May 2009, 8:07 pm

<----------- If they think this is ugly, than I have no clue what statuesque would be.

aspieguy101
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04 May 2009, 8:56 pm

I've been told I'm a good looking guy and I think I am too so that doesn't apply to me. Someone even compared me to a guy that modeled.

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05 May 2009, 1:49 am

Quote:

Btw, that video is stupid, but it shows how easy the name "Asperger's" is to make fun of, which is why I have advocated a name change.

Change it to 'Superior Human Syndrome', or something similar. Not that I think that way, but it would certainly be hilarious.

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05 May 2009, 10:32 am

i'm aspie and sexy

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05 May 2009, 10:48 am

In following other people's thoughts on this topic I'd say, the negative view as it pertains to the Autistic stereotype mainly tends to be one of a lack of not only understanding but, overall acceptance of people within the autistic spectrum as a whole.. I'll admit I've had my share of demeaning names thrown at me and so forth yet, I manage to retain my humanity & dignity by not reciprocating the notion. Anyways, these days some people tend not to see the inherent positive qualities of having AS moreover, it's fixation on the un-nice negative aspects of the condition if, I may state it as such.. In conclusion until autistic people as a whole are better understood by the mis-informed "Nt's" it's going to be a long time before members of the spectrum are seen as human beings and such..

ProfessorX

AlMightyAl
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06 May 2009, 8:44 pm

I don't think I'm ugly.

richardbenson
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06 May 2009, 9:23 pm

are you out of your mind? most people with aspergers look like adorable squirrls :heart:

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06 May 2009, 9:36 pm

richardbenson wrote:

are you out of your mind? most people with aspergers look like adorable squirrls :heart:

I don't look like a squirrel...

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07 May 2009, 7:49 am

stereotype of bad asperger is that we cant talk and mostly rock,stim and make weird noises 24/7
some of us migth be badder shape then others but i believe no one inst in that degree

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07 May 2009, 7:55 am

AlMightyAl wrote:

richardbenson wrote:

are you out of your mind? most people with aspergers look like adorable squirrls :heart:

I don't look like a squirrel...

poser

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10 May 2009, 1:01 pm

I watched the video and I laughed. I hope we're not maltreated over this.

If you want to know my opinion on unattractiveness and Asperger's, you can read my essay, Rejection and Asperger's Syndrome. There's really nothing wrong with having a special interest.

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