Digby Tantam

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I am friend's with Digby Tantam's wife on Facebook, her name is Emmy Van Deurzen(sp?). Have any of you guys read about Digby Tantam's work? What has he done? I talked with him briefly on Facebook by messaging him. He seems to support Asperger's and Autism as part of individuality. And he said that a label is only one way of dealing with problems. Your thoughts...

I think that attitude is all well and good for those whose functionality is so high that they can fly under the social radar and find meaningful careers and a sense of purpose and yada yada yada...if your autism is so mild that for all practical purposes you're just a hair's breadth from neurotypical, then a label may actually seem slightly embarrassing.

On the other hand, if you're not getting on so famously, you can either choose a label like AS that defines you and offers both explanation to others why you are the way you are and possibly affords some protection and compassion, or you can have a label thrust upon you by others, like 'freak' or 'weirdo'. If its obvious that you're different than those around you, you're going to get a label whether you want one or not.

I haven't read anything of Tantam's views on Autism. But I agree with Avengilante. You might as well give yourself one of your own choosing.