Are we in fact, half breeds?

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This may be an obvious question, but having seen how much discussion there's been on "species differences", are we in fact just half breeds, with the profoundly autistic being the full-species?

Or are there three species? Or one?

I don't get it, could you elaborate?

Sure.

I assumed that autism was on a spectrum, with subjective bands of definition applied to it. Having read, and started some discussion here on whether the differences between Aspies and NT's would constitute enough difference to be classified as a new species, I wondered simply whether we were half breeds between two genetic groupings, ie - those that cause the autistic mind, and those that cause what we refer (somewhat misguidedly?) as neurotypicals. Is it that the most profoundly autistic are those with the greatest genetic difference, or is there not proportionality? I don't want to sound as if I'm some sort of gibbering eugenicist, but I find myself wondering a lot about where the traits we all seem to share come from from an evolutionary point of view, and why.

Typically I apply science to making coffee, and therafter, everything else, so it seems reasonable to propose scientific answers to somewhat anthropological questions better suited perhaps, to theories and theses. I'd like to know for a start, how biologists go about measuring, and classifying different genetic groups. I'd also like to know if the profoundly autistic are indeed so different that they could be termed another species. A rather tactless question in these times of seemingly forced inclusivity, but there you have it. I'd like to know if it means those of us that have it are descended from a partly foreign genetic line; whether another of the earlier kinds of man was responsible for the characteristics we share? Whether this leads Aspies, to be some cross breed between the two, with the autistic traits largely shut out by mass breeding? Whether autism is dominant, or recessive - and why?

I don't know how, or whether to quantify for myself just how different we are. I don't know how to draw the scale yet, to work out who I am in the world.

Apologies if that got even remotely sentimental.

[Boing™]

While I can not fault your reasoning, I feel that I should point out that scientists have not discovered, conclusively, what causes a person to be on the Autistic spectrum.
While yes, they have defined the spectrum, which includes those of higher function, lower function and everything in between, they are still in dispute as to whether the causes are genetic or otherwise.
Be that as it may, i'm feel unable to answer your question with any coherency.

I've thought about this alot, and seeing the rising numbers of kids with AS and other forms of high functioning autism. I cant help but wonder if AS is, infact, the next leap forward in evolution. (I dont mean to offend any NT's about there by saying that)

Think of it this way.

Human beings have no "Evolved" In several years.

In the past, all creatures evolved in order to suit their enviorment.

Today, whats needed to survive in an enviorment, is a high IQ, and the ability to specialize in something.

These being the case, is not AS just that, its proven that every person (Or just about) With AS, is very very intelegent. Also, many people with AS have a extremem interest in one or a few things, leading to a specialization in the said area.

But, this is just my take, anytone is free to dispute it as they please

In my often selfish way, I hope you're right.

I've long wondered about J. Lovelock's Gaia theory, and whether it is right to treat the earth as an organism; my personal take is that it behaves like one, as I suspect much of the universe does, but that it is not sentient in itself. The reason for saying that, is that I wonder whether the earth, though perhaps not "knowing" in the sense that we do has some ability to react even to the minor changes in the genepools of the species that inhabit it, and thus, knowing that (at least in this country - I can't speak for elsewhere) the young white males who cause terror on the streets and indulge in violence as if it were sport were to grow up, the reaction has been to rapidly create an evolutionary change for the stronger and more peaceful (and more prone to preservation). Certainly, with our increased use of EM radiation in all walks of life, the seeds for a mutation or two that do not progress into cancer, but rather alter the lifeform fundamentally, are there.

I was, however, interested in your use of "specialisation". It would seem to me that humans, becoming ever more adapted to their environment, must be ever more versatile as a species, and therefore specialism may not be entirely evolutionarily viable.

On the other hand, it could be that some wandering deity walking bored around in the higher dimensions has decided to have some fun with a small group of people, who aren't really grateful for it, or the 'fun' he has, but will later be when he uses them to seed the new human species to Earth, after the nuclear war. (And it can't be denied, We'd do better in an apocalypse than your average Earthling....)

I don't know much except for the basics when it comes to evolutionary theory, but I guess nature's way is elegant, efficient, brutal and simple, which I believe are concepts I can work with.

I would certainly however, like to know much more

While I can not comment or evolution and the vagaries of Fate(or any bored Deity wandering the earth), I put forward the suggestion that the increase in AS diagnosis is the result of increased awareness in such things, the results of which are due to the increased ability and knowledge of those who concern themselves with such things.

While I can not comment or evolution and the vagaries of Fate(or any bored Deity wandering the earth), I put forward the suggestion that the increase in AS diagnosis is the result of increased awareness in such things, the results of which are due to the increased ability and knowledge of those who concern themselves with such things.

While I can not comment or evolution and the vagaries of Fate(or any bored Deity wandering the earth), I put forward the suggestion that the increase in AS diagnosis is the result of increased awareness in such things, the results of which are due to the increased ability and knowledge of those who concern themselves with such things.

Neanderthals!

Wow, I thought I was the only one who thought about things like this! I didn't know what autism even was until a couple days ago but now realize it's what's made me so different from everyone else.

I was actually pondering the very same thing before i realized I was autisic. I was wondering what could make me SO different from everyone else. Obviously most people dont even know what you are talking about.

As for being a different "species" no, because that would mean we couldn't breed with someone who's not. I was thinking autism wouldn't necessarily be genetically comeing from something in our past. But more so something that has developed or evolved.

Like, the human brain has been constantly evolving throughout time. Each generation getting slightly more refined (for the most part haha) but eventually we would be taking our brains to a new "level" or understanding. Autism just might be that next step.. Almost like mutants in xmen. They don't come from ancient mutants but are the next stage in evolution. I would assume autism would be the next stage in the human brains evolution.. Who needs emotinos anyways? haha kidding (kinda)

I think autism forces you to understand the world in a more visual way which is based in reality. Emotions and beliefs are based inside the mind but are not REAL. If autistics are more prone or can only think in images, then it makes a lot of sense that we see the world in a more logical and realistic way. vs an emotional and abstract way.

Just from being a member of this site for a couple days i've noticed that most autistic people could be described as "thinking too much" we obsess over certain things that other people might not even think about. I think we need to find meaning and reasons that most people don't require or think about. I know that's how i am and it would lead me to think that it makes me more logical and think about things in a more percise way. I see that in you too, a lot. Who else would even think about it like that? It's unique!But also better, in my oppinion. I dont think it's good to settle for personal beliefs.


I have a theory and I'll start another thread to get other people's oppinions, I think Leonardo Da Vinci was autistic and probably most of the people we think of with "great minds" Makes a lot of sense to me!

I think that's the nicest thing anyone's said to me all year Thanks!

I think we must be the same species as NTs, or we wouldn't be able to breed with them, but my hubby sometimes calls me an F1 hybrid

Perhaps Aspiedom is a coping strategy which has evolved because there are so many humans huddled together on planet earth - maybe one day it will become he norm, then NTs will have to have their own forums to learn how to cope with us. Bring it on!

They already do, it's reffered to as the bible.. kidding *mostly*

I like the idea of us being 'the next step'. But then sometimes the old stuff is cool too, like the 80's, Windows 95 and Brick phones.

This is the difficulty I have every time this issue comes up.There seems to be a correlation with a higher incidence of two aspies creating someone who is severely autistic and less able to communicate or be able to focus their creativity(we dont know what they are experiencing because they are not communicating in a way we currently understand...perhaps sever auties communicate with telepathy but have no ne who has a receiver to pick up their signals)I work with a client who has autism and spends his time looking out the window,at his hand,stimming.I dont know what he is experiencing or thinking but he is totally dependent on people to feed,cath,bowel program,and other personal cares.He communicated when he is angry(when I brush his teeth)and when he is happy(he likes he B-fast I make)I dont see him as being the next step in evolution.

Although I have average or above intelligence, I am a personal care attendant,a job that requires no intelligence(and judging from my co-workers,intelligence is a hindrance as is compassion).I can be very focused on my interests but they have changed over the years,so I dont think I am adding much to society with my interests.I am not dead yet,so time will tell whether my "focus" ever pays off.I do think society would be better off with more aspie traits I have seen on this board......Lack of desire to collect status "goods",compassion,logical reasoning,less need for social approval at the cost of individual focus.

As has been mentioned before....it is hard to imagine an "aspie evolution" when so many of us females have no interest in reproducing and so many males having difficulty finding relationships or sex.