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John Elder Robinson on the direction of Autism research

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ASPartOfMe
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18 Jul 2016, 1:52 am

http://jerobison.blogspot.com/2016/07/thoughts-on-direction-of-autism-research.html


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bryanmaloney
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20 Jul 2016, 3:10 pm

I forwarded this to my PI and a collaborator. Maybe it will nudge them to writing a grant proposal.



androbot01
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20 Jul 2016, 5:10 pm

John Elder Robison wrote:
Sixty-some years have passed since autism was recognized as a neurological difference. In that time countless child therapies have been developed but virtually nothing has been done for adults.

That's so true.
John Elder Robison wrote:
By focusing on medicine we have failed to support technology based aids that could be delivering real value today.

I think the medical breakthroughs have been pretty good. I know he mentioned headhphones, but I'm not not sure what other technology based aids he is referring to.
John Elder Robison wrote:
The first step is to accept that autism is not what doctors thought it was, ten years ago. In fact it’s not any one thing. It’s many things.

I don't understand what he means here. ^ That sounds like saying there are many different kinds of cancers, which is true, but doesn't mean they are treated differently.
John Elder Robison wrote:
That means recognizing and supporting autistic adults, throughout the lifespan. Autism is not a childhood issue that goes away. It is a lifetime condition.

I agree that autism needs to be viewed as a lifetime condition, but I'm not sure why he draws the distinction between medical and technological support with regard to adults.