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Psychology Today: Biased Asperger's Article!

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anneurysm
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16 May 2014, 6:23 pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/1424918 ... l_activity

Please join this virtual event to spread awareness of this negatively biased Psychology Today article on Aspergers, which is very pro-cure and full of misleading information.

Quotes from the article:

"Two-thirds of people with Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism are unemployed" and "SOME have savant strengths" - Reportedly 10% have savant strengths! Do the math...
? "Kind, loyal and intelligent enough to have completed a B.A." (Dogs are kind, loyal and intelligent!)
? "Lacking the wherewithal to get a bus pass"
? "Mannerisms as odd posture, arm flapping, body twisting"
? "Unusual habits such as SCAVENGING THROUGH GARBAGE CANS!! !! ! to bring home USED FOOD SCRAPS!! !
? "Employment rarely lasting more than a few months... only doing... data entry, warehouse work, envelope stuffing... and visual inspection of products for defects"
? "Careers like a welder... Aspies might inadvertently blow up the building"
? "Best Buy and SAP have been trying to hire and keep Aspies employed... early results haven't been promising"
? "Even more discouraging... many would rather pay full-freight for someone who doesn't have Asperger's"
? " ... higher level jobs, for example, one... a photographer, two who are HANDYMEN!! ! ... but those are EXCEPTIONS!! !"
? "If Aspies can do a reasonable car wash, many customers may prefer... because it's a painless way of helping less-fortunate people."
? "Cambridge University ... found a biomarker for Asperger's ... and a gene... before too long, a prevention or a cure"


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Given a “tentative” diagnosis as a child as I needed services at school for what was later correctly discovered to be a major anxiety disorder.

This misdiagnosis caused me significant stress, which lessened upon finding out the truth about myself from my current and past long-term therapists - that I am an anxious and highly sensitive person but do not have an autism spectrum disorder.

My diagnoses - social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

I’m no longer involved with the ASD world.


lostonearth35
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16 May 2014, 6:46 pm

I can't take much more of this male-bovine-excretement from the media. I wish I was never born.



starvingartist
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16 May 2014, 7:02 pm

anneurysm wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1424918481101765/1425861297674150/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity

Please join this virtual event to spread awareness of this negatively biased Psychology Today article on Aspergers, which is very pro-cure and full of misleading information.

Quotes from the article:

"Two-thirds of people with Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism are unemployed" and "SOME have savant strengths" - Reportedly 10% have savant strengths! Do the math...
? "Kind, loyal and intelligent enough to have completed a B.A." (Dogs are kind, loyal and intelligent!)
? "Lacking the wherewithal to get a bus pass"
? "Mannerisms as odd posture, arm flapping, body twisting"
? "Unusual habits such as SCAVENGING THROUGH GARBAGE CANS!! !! ! to bring home USED FOOD SCRAPS!! !
? "Employment rarely lasting more than a few months... only doing... data entry, warehouse work, envelope stuffing... and visual inspection of products for defects"
? "Careers like a welder... Aspies might inadvertently blow up the building"
? "Best Buy and SAP have been trying to hire and keep Aspies employed... early results haven't been promising"
? "Even more discouraging... many would rather pay full-freight for someone who doesn't have Asperger's"
? " ... higher level jobs, for example, one... a photographer, two who are HANDYMEN!! ! ... but those are EXCEPTIONS!! !"
? "If Aspies can do a reasonable car wash, many customers may prefer... because it's a painless way of helping less-fortunate people."
? "Cambridge University ... found a biomarker for Asperger's ... and a gene... before too long, a prevention or a cure"


if you're going to quote an article like this i think you should include a link to the article itself--some of us don't use facebook.



cathylynn
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16 May 2014, 7:25 pm

this aspie practiced medicine for nine years and is now a married social worker. where do they get these dismal statistics?



cubedemon6073
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16 May 2014, 7:48 pm

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how ... -find-work

article wrote:
Perhaps before too long, a prevention or cure?perhaps some sort of gene therapy--will allow Aspies to fully use their gifts.


http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... -olympics/

I'm just wondering about something. Let's say they came up with a cure in which we could fully use our gifts. What if this cure was similar to Oscar Pistorius's carbon-fiber lower legs. These legs were the cure for his amputated legs. It seems like these legs confered him an advantage.

If we were cured of the social aspects of our disability with our gifts intact maybe we can not only be as good as NTs but maybe we could surpass them. Maybe we ought not to dismiss this cure and re-think our logic. What do you guys think? Maybe the cure wouldn't destroy our identity but expand and better our identity. Can we think through this please guys?



starvingartist
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16 May 2014, 8:17 pm

cubedemon6073 wrote:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how-do-life/201405/helping-people-asperger-s-syndrome-or-autism-find-work

article wrote:
Perhaps before too long, a prevention or cure?perhaps some sort of gene therapy--will allow Aspies to fully use their gifts.


http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... -olympics/

I'm just wondering about something. Let's say they came up with a cure in which we could fully use our gifts. What if this cure was similar to Oscar Pistorius's carbon-fiber lower legs. These legs were the cure for his amputated legs. It seems like these legs confered him an advantage.

If we were cured of the social aspects of our disability with our gifts intact maybe we can not only be as good as NTs but maybe we could surpass them. Maybe we ought not to dismiss this cure and re-think our logic. What do you guys think? Maybe the cure wouldn't destroy our identity but expand and better our identity. Can we think through this please guys?


i read a book about a year ago on just that topic that was quite good: near-future fiction, written by a woman with a teenage son on the spectrum; and my estimation of her writing is that she has a pretty firm grasp of the autistic mind/experience (her protagonist/narrator was on the spectrum). i found it to be an enjoyable--and relatable--read. it raises a lot of really interesting questions. it's "the speed of dark" by elizabeth moon. i would recommend it to anyone on the spectrum, or those seeking a better understanding of the mind of an autistic person from the outside.

edited* for poor sentence structure.



anneurysm
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16 May 2014, 8:20 pm

starvingartist wrote:
anneurysm wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1424918481101765/1425861297674150/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity

Please join this virtual event to spread awareness of this negatively biased Psychology Today article on Aspergers, which is very pro-cure and full of misleading information.

Quotes from the article:

"Two-thirds of people with Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism are unemployed" and "SOME have savant strengths" - Reportedly 10% have savant strengths! Do the math...
? "Kind, loyal and intelligent enough to have completed a B.A." (Dogs are kind, loyal and intelligent!)
? "Lacking the wherewithal to get a bus pass"
? "Mannerisms as odd posture, arm flapping, body twisting"
? "Unusual habits such as SCAVENGING THROUGH GARBAGE CANS!! !! ! to bring home USED FOOD SCRAPS!! !
? "Employment rarely lasting more than a few months... only doing... data entry, warehouse work, envelope stuffing... and visual inspection of products for defects"
? "Careers like a welder... Aspies might inadvertently blow up the building"
? "Best Buy and SAP have been trying to hire and keep Aspies employed... early results haven't been promising"
? "Even more discouraging... many would rather pay full-freight for someone who doesn't have Asperger's"
? " ... higher level jobs, for example, one... a photographer, two who are HANDYMEN!! ! ... but those are EXCEPTIONS!! !"
? "If Aspies can do a reasonable car wash, many customers may prefer... because it's a painless way of helping less-fortunate people."
? "Cambridge University ... found a biomarker for Asperger's ... and a gene... before too long, a prevention or a cure"


if you're going to quote an article like this i think you should include a link to the article itself--some of us don't use facebook.


Good idea: here's the link to the original article. Read at your own risk.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how ... -find-work

Maybe there should be a petition created as well to include non-facebook users? I will post in the group about this.


_________________
Given a “tentative” diagnosis as a child as I needed services at school for what was later correctly discovered to be a major anxiety disorder.

This misdiagnosis caused me significant stress, which lessened upon finding out the truth about myself from my current and past long-term therapists - that I am an anxious and highly sensitive person but do not have an autism spectrum disorder.

My diagnoses - social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

I’m no longer involved with the ASD world.


Sweetleaf
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16 May 2014, 8:21 pm

I am not really offended by the article over all...It is true many people with aspergers do struggle a lot to find and keep employment and get by in daily life, so I actually am glad the article acknowledges that instead of painting us all like the next step in evolution or something ridiculous like that. It does mention there still being a search for a cure...but funny part is it says 'some kind of gene therepy so they can fully use their gifts' thing is if someones autism was 'cured' I imagine any gifts that may have come with it would also be cured so yeah don't really like the last bit I mean screwing around with peoples genetics could be dangerous and have some negative consequences people may not be prepared for. But the article seemed more informative then baised...a lot of the quotes in your post seem to be in reference to things employers and such have said about aspies.

So what would I be protesting, and what messege do people prefer the article would have portrayed, that we're just different with no disability whatsoever when that tends not to be the case?


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Sweetleaf
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16 May 2014, 8:24 pm

cathylynn wrote:
this aspie practiced medicine for nine years and is now a married social worker. where do they get these dismal statistics?


You're situation/success does not really reflect what the majority of people on the spectrum are going through from what I have observed. The article doesn't say people with aspergers can't be successful or get married just that over-all a lot of us struggle with unemployment or are on disability which is true as far as I know.


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16 May 2014, 8:28 pm

cubedemon6073 wrote:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how-do-life/201405/helping-people-asperger-s-syndrome-or-autism-find-work

article wrote:
Perhaps before too long, a prevention or cure?perhaps some sort of gene therapy--will allow Aspies to fully use their gifts.


http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... -olympics/

I'm just wondering about something. Let's say they came up with a cure in which we could fully use our gifts. What if this cure was similar to Oscar Pistorius's carbon-fiber lower legs. These legs were the cure for his amputated legs. It seems like these legs confered him an advantage.

If we were cured of the social aspects of our disability with our gifts intact maybe we can not only be as good as NTs but maybe we could surpass them. Maybe we ought not to dismiss this cure and re-think our logic. What do you guys think? Maybe the cure wouldn't destroy our identity but expand and better our identity. Can we think through this please guys?


I don't want anyone screwing around with my genetics thank you very much...also if the cure gets rid of the autism, it would probably get rid of any resulting gifts as well. Also not really interested in surpassing anyone, not that I think a cure would do that it would just make autistic people 'not autistic' don't think it would give us any extra advantages.


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16 May 2014, 8:30 pm

Thanks for the article, I'll make a point of asking a competent NT person to supervise me while I weld or prepare food with sharp implements in the future. :lmao:

Food that I fished out of a bin.


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16 May 2014, 8:34 pm

I actually did eat an eggroll I got out of a garbage can....I was at a bus stop someone walking by had it on a plate and just tossed it in and it was still sitting there on the plate and I was hungry so I picked it up and ate it. Seriously though I have never heard of that being a common autistic behavior, I've seen homeless people dig in the garbage either for edible food or cans because its possible to get a little money if you recycle cans at certain places or something.


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cubedemon6073
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16 May 2014, 8:53 pm

Quote:
I don't want anyone screwing around with my genetics thank you very much...


What I don't understand is why do so many people including you consider the human genome as sacred and taboo. Can you explain please?

Quote:
also if the cure gets rid of the autism, it would probably get rid of any resulting gifts as well.


Maybe, but how do you figure?

Quote:
Also not really interested in surpassing anyone,


That's fine.

Quote:
not that I think a cure would do that it would just make autistic people 'not autistic' don't think it would give us any extra advantages.


Well, this assumes that autism is caused by one gene. I think it is caused by many genes interacting in a certain way. Why can't one in the future change them to interact in a different way that is beneficial and that could bring the engineered person closer to truth and enlightenment?



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16 May 2014, 8:54 pm

If there was a cure for Aspergers, and it was forced on me, I would become a completely different person, and NOT the type of person I would want to be. I am who I am because of my difference, and if anyone wants to take that away from me, they can go to hell. I'd rather have AS and be gifted in a few areas, than be a talentless NT.



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16 May 2014, 9:04 pm

starvingartist wrote:
cubedemon6073 wrote:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how-do-life/201405/helping-people-asperger-s-syndrome-or-autism-find-work

article wrote:
Perhaps before too long, a prevention or cure?perhaps some sort of gene therapy--will allow Aspies to fully use their gifts.


http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... -olympics/

I'm just wondering about something. Let's say they came up with a cure in which we could fully use our gifts. What if this cure was similar to Oscar Pistorius's carbon-fiber lower legs. These legs were the cure for his amputated legs. It seems like these legs confered him an advantage.

If we were cured of the social aspects of our disability with our gifts intact maybe we can not only be as good as NTs but maybe we could surpass them. Maybe we ought not to dismiss this cure and re-think our logic. What do you guys think? Maybe the cure wouldn't destroy our identity but expand and better our identity. Can we think through this please guys?


i read a book about a year ago on just that topic that was quite good: near-future fiction, written by a woman with a teenage son on the spectrum; and my estimation of her writing is that she has a pretty firm grasp of the autistic mind/experience (her protagonist/narrator was on the spectrum). i found it to be an enjoyable--and relatable--read. it raises a lot of really interesting questions. it's "the speed of dark" by elizabeth moon. i would recommend it to anyone on the spectrum, or those seeking a better understanding of the mind of an autistic person from the outside.

edited* for poor sentence structure.


http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9606 ... ed_of_Dark

I was reading this summary. I was just thinking what if there was no true, fixed permanent self. In fact, what if we could choose the self we wanted to be and with genetic engineering we could do exactly that? Is there something that is beyond genetics that gives us our I'ness? Is there a soul? Do we have a soul? What makes you, you and me, me?

Wait a min, you're a speculator like me. Interesting!



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16 May 2014, 9:19 pm

cubedemon6073 wrote:
Quote:
I don't want anyone screwing around with my genetics thank you very much...


What I don't understand is why do so many people including you consider the human genome as sacred and taboo. Can you explain please?

Quote:
also if the cure gets rid of the autism, it would probably get rid of any resulting gifts as well.


Maybe, but how do you figure?

Quote:
Also not really interested in surpassing anyone,


That's fine.

Quote:
not that I think a cure would do that it would just make autistic people 'not autistic' don't think it would give us any extra advantages.


Well, this assumes that autism is caused by one gene. I think it is caused by many genes interacting in a certain way. Why can't one in the future change them to interact in a different way that is beneficial and that could bring the engineered person closer to truth and enlightenment?


When did I say the human genome is sacred and taboo?...thing is ones genetics is what makes them, screwing around with genetics could very well change who someone is and that does disturb me I don't want my genes altered to make me more 'normal' If people do want that then they can have at it if the technology for that is developed but I want no part in it.

Also if someone has certain gifts due to the way their genetics come together to make them as a person and with autistic neurology...changing that autistic neurology could very well get rid of said gifts as well. Also somehow I think the goal of the 'cure' would be to make autistic people normal not enhance any gifts we might have...whether or not the autism is a factor in someones gift is debatable I suppose maybe they'd still have that even without the autistic neurology...but it could very well be having the autistic neurology is a factor into why the person has the gift.

Also screwing around with genes is serious, one little mess up and you've screwed someone up...what if a couple of genes are altered but then that causes a chain reaction of dangerous genetic mutations that could kill or disable the person further or maybe they'd accidentally create zombies or some crazy sh*t who knows. Just seems like a disturbing idea.


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