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Autism as whole body?

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AardvarkGoodSwimmer
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17 May 2013, 12:42 am

Please note: Both these articles have problems.

Quote:

http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-cultu ... -aspergers

' . . . In her book "The Autism Revolution," now out in paperback from Ballantine, she [Dr. Martha Herbert] argues that there is plenty of evidence demonstrating that autism is really a problem of the whole body, including the brain – from molecules to cells, organs to metabolism, and immune to digestive systems. "As a physician," she writes, "I've seen so many autistic children with similar medical problems that I can't believe it's just a coincidence. And we know through thousands of scientific papers and an ocean of clinical experience that the health of the body can affect the function of the brain." . . '


And maybe also this:
http://www.wdde.org/43306-autism-research-stomach

Now, I am both open to better versions of myself and I like myself as I am, and this is very worth saying. :D



Anomiel
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17 May 2013, 12:50 am

AardvarkGoodSwimmer wrote:
Now, I am both open to better versions of myself and I like myself as I am, and this is very worth saying. :D


That's good, I think so myself. I don't know why wanting to better some parts and loving others is sometimes seen as such a radical position to take. Yes, there's increasing evidence that the whole body is affected. I dislike that they call it a "problem" (so including even the things that aren't) and the use of the term "health"... :( Maybe that was what you meant by "problems".



AardvarkGoodSwimmer
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17 May 2013, 1:14 am

Correct. I don't like how the author of the first article refers to autism spectrum as a "problem."

And for the second article, I don't like that they include the damn puzzle piece drawing. And that they lead with "two million Americans struggling with autism." Sometimes parents might struggle, given their high hopes (read: overly specific) for their children, but the child himself or herself, maybe not so much. And the child's struggle is perhaps more with sensory issues, and not inability or disinterest in playing some exact social role.



Anomiel
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17 May 2013, 1:35 am

Yes yes yes to all of he above :bounce:
If people would say someone "struggled with gayness" then we would assume they struggled because society treats them bad, or because they are megasuperreligious and can't accept it...



AardvarkGoodSwimmer
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17 May 2013, 10:42 am

I think a person being gay is an excellent example. Just like with the Autism Spectrum, the question becomes, is it okay being different in a way which matters? And the answer is Yes. And really, with people being used to movies and TV shows like where the holographic physician on Star Trek asks for full and equal rights, I think people can catch on pretty quicky. Okay, being on the spectrum is mainly about sensory issues, and social skills are usually patchy, and not all people on the spectrum are great at math. People can catch on. I think a good approach on our part is to under-explain and then give the person time to mull it over, and be ready to give brief and matter-of-fact refresher courses as needed.