An autistic brain can't be NT just like a cat can't be a dog

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I just asked a question in google (just to see what came up -- knowing that the answer to my question was "No") "Is autism a mental illness" Here was the best answer which I REALLY liked from Yahoo and it makes a lot of sense to me. I thought I'd share this:

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters:

The autistic brain quite simply has a notably different neurology in how it functions, much like a cat and dog are different in neurology, though seem mostly alike in many ways: a cat isn't a defective dog, just a cat. Likewise, if a cat attempts to be a dog, it doesn't work so well in practice: a cat that tries to be something it's not (a dog) will end up with mental problems from attempting to live that lie. So, too, will autistics have more psychological problems brought on by trying to (or being forced to externally) act like neurotypical (aka "everyone else") people, because it isn't natural, and results in a lot of long-term stress.

Mental illness is something that's transient, or at least it develops over time: autistics are born that way, and it can't be cured, and it doesn't go away with time: it is a developmental difference, and some types of expected developments may not happen, or happen much later, while still other developments may be something neurotypicals never have themselves.


Direct Link: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 459AA4MOE9

This link will take you to the same page I found the above definition at.. Someone on the spectrum wrote it, but didn't leave their name so I can't give them direct credit.. but I thought it was a wonderful explanation myself

L

Nicely said, my friend.

But I have taught myself to bark, and since I did that Positive Thinking course I can even wag my tail. I'm proud to say I've stopped being a cat. You all can, if you just have the willingness to work at it.

(note: sarcastic)

That's a good analogy. I agree.

I kid can try.

I love that cat! Looks like my first Siamese, Samantha.

With the difference that we humans can differentiate between can and dog. No behaviour analysis is needed. The pets are most easy to identify by what the eye can see.

Autism isn't. That's where all arguments against the nature of cats find their perfect root. How to tell the cat is still a cat if it acts like a perfectly trained dog? Maybe in the near future, 'someone' will develop the eyes to see and tell the world that it's a cat -

and that the cat's still a cat.

In the meantime... the question remains. Is it really a cat?

I vote for cat, I believe in cat, but I wouldn't care for being wrong.

Meow.

Or rather:

Rawr, I'm a lion. Haha.