Talk at work re Asperger's

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Hello,

I am giving a talk at work next week regarding Asperger's. I work at a major public hospital in Brisbane and will be giving the talk to approximately 100 physiotherapists. The timing of the talk is as close to International Asperger's Day as possible.

I am splitting the talk into two parts: Part 1 is all the 'usual' explanations of Asperger's.

Part 2 of the talk is focusing on the strengths and talents. I also want Part 2 to be an Aspie view of the world.

So, what messages do you have? I am finalising the talk this weekend and am happy to put any direct quotes in.

Have your say .....

Thanks for your help.

Helen

Please don't say all aspies are geniuses and are Einstein and a whiz at math. I want everyone to know we're all different and we all have our own strengths just like normal people.

Oh and we're not all into light bulbs or into science or electronic stuff and we all can fix cars and computers.

It's all the stereotypes I hate.

Smelena seems smarter than that. But HEY, I am great with science, electronics, and computers, so MANY figure I must be GREAT at math! I'm NOT! So I get hit with that stereotype even WITHOUT considering AS!

I would like to know these strenghts and talents too.

Since you are forbidden to mention my university degree in math, I have little to offer.

NT's can get stressed when alone, however, in this world of internet and cell phones,
this rarely happens. Even lighthouses aren't what they used to be.

I have a tendency to accidentally offend people so ignore this is you think it's too offensive but it might be good
to include a humorous section describing NTs from our point of view. stuff like 'you are all group thinking, hive
minded freaks obsessed with eye contact and social hierarchies...' if you think you can pull it off without offending

If you can, would you post a rough outline of what you say/said? (You know, if you write out an outline or notes.) I think a lot of us would like to hear a good summary of how to explain it to people who aren't familiar with it.

Advantages of AS include:

-keen senses

-excellent long-term memory

-excellent attention to detail

-ability to remember detailed information including lists of facts, numbers, etc.

-tendency to focus intently on a subject for a long period of time, leading to deep understanding and broad knowledge of it

-immunity or resistance to peer pressure (due to indifference to social norms)

-ability to tune out extraneous stimuli while concentrating on something of interest

-understanding of complex systems

-ability to quickly create complex systems

-tendency to prioritize personal goals and interests over social accomplishments

-perception of reality unaltered by socially-imposed hierarchies, categories, norms, etc.

-synesthesia (not necessarily advantageous, but interesting)

-tendency to be directly honest in any situation

-lack of ability to deceive or manipulate others

-lack of interest in deceit, manipulation, social competition, etc.

Most people with AS have some, but not all, of these traits. Most of these advantages are actually the positive results of traits that are usually labeled as disadvantages. For example, direct honesty is not always socially acceptable and may have negative consequences in some situations. However, someone who is known to be honest can be trusted. This is why AS is not necessarily a bad thing. People with AS have a lot to offer society. Increasing understanding of AS may help them to do so.

The title is "Asperger's - Celebrating Neurodiversity"

I'm showing a 30 second advertisement that the Australian Asperger's Association is screening this week (to coincide with International Asperger's Day) - sorry I don't know how to upload this advertisement.

Then I go into Part 1 - How NT's view Aspies

I've used the description of Asperger's from the homepage of this website.

To better explain some of the concepts I've downloaded some of Simon Baron-Cohen's tests to do with eye expression and facial expressions.

Then I'm giving a brief history of my 2 sons who have Asperger's. I will focus on their strengths. My sons are so different in their interests and personalities that I hope I will avoid stereotypes.

I'll use lots of anecdotes about my sons to explain concepts eg literal interpretation of language.

Then I'll go into Part 2 - How Aspies view NT's

The first slide is a photo of a cat ... next to it is written the caption "This is a cat. It is not a defective dog". (I actually saw it on a t-shirt).

I am going to discuss curebies vs non-curebies including Autism Speaks. (By the way, I am a anti-curebie .... I want acceptance, support and understanding, not a cure for my sons).

I will talk about the strengths/advantages of Asperger's (Thanks EvilKimEvil - great list!).

Then I'm going to use some of the information from [url]http://isnt.autistics.org/[url]

and show this.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RjAkoF6aITc

But, I'm going to not be divisive and have a NT's versus Aspie. I'm trying to show that their is an alternative point of view.

Then I will talk about some of the cool Aspies I have met and how they've enhanced my life and thinking.

Then lastly I will have some tips for health professionals dealing with Aspies. This is where I'd love input. But I will include:
- Give written information
- Don't be offended if there is not a lot of eye contact
- Don't be offended if there is not a lot of social chit-chat
- Group classes may not be appropriate. Ask the person whether they prefer individual over group. (In these days of health budgeting, group classes are the norm).

Got to go. Kids fighting.

Helen

Love what you are doing--hope it goes over well. I think you have covered all the basics.

What I tell people is that it is a combination of information/culture processing issues, and each person is different. If a ASD person is comfortable (and knowledgeable) discussing his or her condition, then he or she obviously is the best source of information about what he or she prefers. Unfortunately not all of us are; we've learned to keep quiet.

I would say the big issue here is RESPECT. As Arethra used to say, "Find out what it means to me." We don't have three heads or are from Mars; we are people just like you and we have feelings just like you. We may not show it. The world can be an extremely cruel place for ASD people; just to get to adulthood they have had to overcome much. Without any recognition, no less. Consequently ASD employees may have insecurity issues, self-confidence issues, trust issues, that NT employees may not have. If you, as a manager, play mind games with these people (or give them the idea that you are), you have lost them. Remember where they may be coming from, background-wise. So when a reaction seems off-the-wall or inappropriate, find out what has led up to that reaction. I went through a lot of behavior modification that was at times verbally and physically abusive and as a result my stress level goes way up in certain situations because I am flashing back to those times and I automatically go into fear mode. I am getting better at this, but it is not something I can discuss with my supervisor, though I would like to.

in the health professionals dealing with aspie's bit i would also include:
dont use descriptions that can be viewed either way, in a lecture at uni a lecturer described an atherosclerotic plaque as a "porridge clot", he did not even say it is like a porridge clot, just that it was one, i was so confused!
also in the UK there is lots of emphasis on using open questions as opposed to closed questions when interviewing patients. however as an aspie i find a lot of the open questions used by doctors quite daunting, i am never sure what to include in my answers. i am not sure if this is an aspie thing or just a me thing, but for me it would be much better for the doctor to give more clue into what he wants to know. it took 3 years for my orthopaedic consultant to find out that i had a bad back as well as bad knees it had not seemed relevant to me at the time (it was when i was younger) & it was 3 years of consultation before he actually asked specifically!

i would say that you can't always "peg" people with AS. i work with scientists who study this stuff, and it's amazing to catch glimpses of what they think constitutes as aspergers... i realize that i myself am a mild case (yes, im assuming, really), but i am steadily meeting people with asperger dx and... you'd never know unless they told you, really.

edit: maybe though, psychologist-types have met personally with more autistics than straight brain scientists.......

You'd never know it if I didn't tell you, you'd just think I was a little eccentric.

Here's that shirt, and a few other things.

Thank you so much everyone.

I've cut and pasted a lot of what you said into my presentation.

Helen

Really? Since you asked….I wrote material for admission to the University (PhD program, chem/biochem). I am shifting into the neuroscience program; part of the chem department with great neuroscientists – I am taught well. Seriously sleep-deprived Lab Pet though….

Here is an excerpt from what I wrote, which might be pertinent to your request, I guess.

Separately, thank you Smelena for always advocating for Wrong Planet inhabitants. I think you are the ‘Autistic Whisperer.’

“I am intrinsically motivated and curious; I am synonymous with science. Due to my neurology, I assimilate differently. I am autistic. This means I neurologically developed into fruition later than another adult. But since the puzzle pieces have assembled, I see the Gestalt pattern with meticulous detail. I am grateful for what I have been given and acclimate for my deficits. For me, I knew the depths of mind and finally found a channel to the ‘outside world’ through logic, science, art, and other forms of expression, which can be shared. The scientific method is verifiable, repeatable, and therefore has merit. This is my channel. When I came to recognize this channel then my infinite mind was not just confined to my skull. “

Good luck with your presentation at work. Sorry if this is late. Yesterday Wrong Planet had technical difficulties and I live in Alaska - time change. Different vortex too. Different hemisphere for that matter. Other side of the planet too. Tell them Aspies/Auties are fun too. We are. Just ask us.

Brilliant LabPet!

Cut and paste into my presentation.

Thank you so much!

The highest honour coming from you LabPet.

Helen