Defamatory ASD advice sites

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While perusing the web out of curiosity in the past, looking for advice sites on ASD for a neurotypical audience, I was quite dismayed and upset to see some of the defamatory comments posted on these “advice” sites. Some of this advice speaks in absolute terms; a couple of examples:

One site I went to gave advice to neurotypicals on “how to communicate with someone who has Aspergers”. One line on this advice site said, “Allow the person with Aspergers to talk more about themselves and what’s on their mind. People with Aspergers hate to listen. It’s as if it goes in one ear and comes out the other, so don’t be surprised if they often respond with a non-sequitur to what you just said.”

Another source stated, “Always tell them exactly what you mean, what you intend to do, and what you expect them to do. People with Aspergers cannot read body language at all.” Um, ahem, NO!! That’s totally blown out of proportion...we DO have limited ability to read body language, but cannot do so as effectively and efficiently as NTs can in the context of social dynamics. When looking at more “static” facial expressions, studies have shown that people with ASD score about as close as their NT counterparts, in correctly identifying the emotion displayed. The trouble is, when dealing with social exchanges, we are more challenged in accurately, consistently and spontaneously identifying and responding to emotions displayed through facial expression and body language - ostensibly due to multi-processing and processing speed in conjunct with ToM (theory of mind).

I think that the posters of this misleading advice often don’t genuinely believe it 100%, but they are simply emotionally frustrated and venting their frustration online at their past experiences with an Aspie or two.

Despite this whole “speaking in absolutes” theme that permeates these defamatory web sites, even Temple Grandin was once quoted as saying, “They [autistics] absolutely cannot multitask at all.” Still I think that she may have been exaggerating, too, out of sheer frustration at her own experiences - I mean personally, I’ve always had some ability to multitask, but can’t do so consistently / effectively.