How do we define "Autism", when we can't even defi

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There was some recent news articles questioning how psychological research is performed, and how to define "normal" populations, based on this.

"The weirdest people in the world?"

It seems there is a lot of cultural variation, when it comes to minds. Along with psychological views of the self and other, and the "cultural" aspects of an individuals identity- there is variations in spacial perception, social reasoning, memory, and susceptibility to optical illusions.

This is obviously problematic, because "Western Culture" is where most psychological research happens. And this research is used to measure what is considered "normal" or "healthy" psychological behaviour, as well as "universal" behaviours.
I wrote a lot about that here: "Will the Normal humans please stand up?"

In the past 50 years, there has been a lot of cultural change in the western world, with people becoming more individualistic and also fashion oriented. Western culture is very different from other cultures in the world, and cultures of the past. But when psychological research is done, Autistic people are usually compared to western college students. This is a problem, because Autistic people do not pick up on culture the same way. Autistic minds do not share the same culture of the society they live in. They can be, essentially, a "culture of one".

Another thing, is that society is becoming increasingly competitive socially- based on appearance, ability to manipulate and sell, etc. and "Narcissism is on the rise". But most parents are not very concerned when they see aspects of a narcissistic personality developing in the child, but they are terrified of "Asperger's"! and it can be argued that the "Narcissism" epidemic is something more people should be concerned about. "The Autism Epidemic vs. The Narcissism Epidemic"

warning, these articles are full of sarcastic humour for those that have a bit of trouble with those things.

Thoughts?
How do we decide which differences, in studies on autism, are related to "autism genes" or different responses to western culture?
Or, do some believe firmly that we are "not a culture" and our behaviours should be considered "universal"?

When I was little, I remember a barrage of sights, sounds, smells, textures and voices.

I never thought about the idea of "autism" or being "cut off from the rest of the world" at all. If anything, I felt that I was deeply connected with the rest of the world.

Some of these voices didn't have a "physical body" as such: they came from "TV Land" or "Radio Land". Often these voices would compete with friends, family and carers in the "Real" world. These voices would sometimes come from thousands of miles away or from fictional worlds.

I listened to everything that all of the voices said.
When I was little, I just blithely assumed that everyone belonged to the same "World" culture and "worshipped" the TV. With everyone behaving so differently, it was often difficult for me to work out what I should do. I was often culturally confused.

It also puzzled me why people would chat casually over deep, poetic and metaphorically profound songs on the radio. I could not understand why the DJ was not overcome with awe at every track he played or the miracle of radio. I didn't understand why the DJ did not want to discuss the meanings and messages contained in the songs.

I also didn't understand why some risqué love songs were played at kiddies Discos. It was like people didn't care or maybe they just liked the tune. Or maybe they just assumed that if it was "popular" music, it must be good for everybody.

I didn't understand how people could listen to "background music" with singing and yet still carry out a decent conversation. Or perhaps they weren't really listening at all?

I didn't understand how people could do their Christmas Shopping with all the Muzak and still remain sane.

Most songs on the radio were about love.
Everyone who had a radio was blasted with emotionally intense messages about love every day.


The Media voices spoke of death in far away places and of grumpy men arguing about politics.
The voices would try and persaude people to buy new products.


Voices in my Real Life said that I was lazy and useless or that I was brilliant and industrious. Many demanded that I learn and absorb more facts than most of my relatives had learned in during their lifetimes. There was also a demand to "join in or else" and there was compulsory teamwork/groupwork/cliquework at school. Children were told to value diversity and all the cultures of the world, but not talk to strangers.

I had to go through a steep technological learning curve, with new gadgets and software being produced every year. I also had to navigate my way through new virtual worlds, often on my own.

I'm still confused by all of these contradictory messages today.

It's a combination of sensory overload and cultural confusion.

When I'm in a quiet place and I'm not stressed/confused, I find it easier to be friendly and to care about others.

I enjoy the media when I can give my undivided attention to it.
I don't enjoy it when media becomes an irritating background distraction that makes it harder for me to talk to other people and enjoy life.

I think that culture, stress and circumstance can exacerbate any in built sensory or social communication issues that someone has.

I never wanted to deliberately cut myself from others

There are so many different subtypes of autism, that it's hard to define.