What is the best country for Aspies to live in?

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Another thought that has come to me about this whole "what's the best place" question is this.

Like a lot of people I too have wondered what's the best place for Aspies. But isn't it also true that an Aspie, depending on their presentation, can have difficulties in their life in any place? People whom we read about having difficulties on WrongPlanet are from all parts of the UK, US and other countries. From urban and rural, conservative and liberal places alike.

My basis is that the diagnostic criteria for Asperger's are not culture specific, as for any condition in the DSM or ICD. In any place an Aspie - to be diagnosed as such - would have deficits in social, occupational or other functioning within the culture of that place. That's true whether you're in Edinburgh, or whether you're in Japan.

While it's not easy for Aspies anywhere some cultures are harder on Aspies than others. Classic example is the Jews. The attitude towards Aspies is such that their Birthright Israel programme, where young Jews visit Israel, apparently specifically singles out and excludes people with Asperger's from the trips!! (This prompted a rabbi to set up a special Asperger Syndrome Birthright Israel programme.)

Having thought long and hard about demographics and my own circumstances and needs, I realise Edinburgh has a large enough population base for me to find a suitable micro-environment. Other people have their own circumstances and needs which could be met somewhere in Edinburgh. Most of the cultural-demographic classifications in the MOSAIC scheme I posted find themselves somewhere in or near Edinburgh.

But the community in Singapore for Aspies isn't strong enough...

In some ways, not the United States, at least from a social point of view. In other ways, the U.S. is nifty. It has Silicon Valley and such like places wherein Aspies can find their niche.

Childhood for Aspies can be very rough and trying in the U.S.

ruveyn

Many western countries have welfare systems, so there is that.

Then again, it would be kind of sad if "welfare" is the primary reason why you move to a country. Sometimes, immigration staff will ask you questions to try and determine whether or not you're after the government's teet. If they determine that you are, they may refuse to extend your visa, or refuse your request for immigration.

That's primarily why the point system exists. To prevent those who immigrate due to better social services.

I do know that India is more aspie-friendly in terms of not putting much emphasis on social skills when working.
This is especially true of technical fields. The emphasis is on grades and knowledge, not being able to charm people.

The main disadvantage of this is that it also happens to be very competitive. There are plenty of engineers out there in India who accept lower status jobs, because their grades weren't the highest. In North America, the main emphasis is on whether or not you have a degree, not what your exact GPA was. Many of those engineers move to North America, only to find that they lack the language and social skills to pass an interview. Many of them end up as taxi drivers.

However, I have recently been reading news stories about "social skills training" classes popping up in India for people who want a more competitive edge in the job hunt. So this could be changing.

There's no particular country that have perfect aspie conditions. Even in Canada, you can't get **** all done until you register for disability benefits (which I'm doing right now, I think my office manager will get me laid off soon). The processing for my ODSP will be months... PAH! Why can't it work out like it does in my mind?

I say we take over some useless island chain in the pacific/indian ocean and name it "Aspertoria". Make an aspie paradise where I can keep a job longer than a year without making management feel threatened. There could be socialize pay with some democratic alterations available so I wouldn't be terrified my pay wouldn't still be that same as it was last month, even though it always is. And trained Canine servants. And you had to be an aspie to live there, and your parents could visit for... five minutes or so, until it got too awkward and you push them back into the boat/plane again. AND NO FORCED MEETINGS WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY!

Haha! Anyway, if a place were perfect, we'll all be there.

Here in Australia there are occasional signs that people do care. They might not know a lot about autism or even disability in general but when it's your kid having trouble in school you tend to learn fairly fast. We have a lot of elections in this country, and there are votes in being seen to be caring.

Even in workplaces, there are laws against discrimination and against doing things that harm your workers. It's not quite at the point where remaining ignorant of aspergers is a violation of the occupational health and safety laws but it's only one test case away.

If the pundits are right, and we escape the worst of the global depression, well... I'll see you on the beach.

The Netherlands.

i'm trying to decide where to go to grad school. right now it's between canada and sweden. sweden is winning...easily.

i've heard good things.

Scandinavia.

How I wished.. every country was Scandinavia...

Switzerland, particularly the German part.

-German is a very literal language and this reflects their culture.
-Lots of scientists in Switzerland.
-Never have to worry about war.
-Very individualistic. Switzerland stubbornly refuses to adopt the Euro.
-Swiss are very accepting. Historically, a popular destination for refugees.

I read somewhere German-speaking Switzerland has the lowest rate of diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, suggesting our traits aren't seen by them as being that abnormal, so as a result less people bother with diagnosis. It makes sense that different populations have different genetics and so different neurologies. It could be the typical Swiss would present with Asperger's if they grew up in Japan, which has the highest rate of diagnosis. Makes sense considering Japanese culture emphasizes conformity to a very high degree.

Ironically, Aspies in Singapore love anime and manga from Japan. Any reason why?

Anyways, thanks. Basel is an international business center, I look forward to work there whenever I can.