Is autism a mental disease?

[Mr S]

I have a light form of Autism as well, and I don't see it as a mental disease or anything. If you call it a disease it means that it a very bad thing in my eyes. But I don't think it affects my life much, I just have more problems finding out what people mean when talking to me.

 

[s0denone]

I think autism and aspergers is vastly over-diagnosed depending on country. In places like the USA there's an obsession with diagnosis and people seem to throw around the "A word" like hotcakes compared to other countries. Many other countries only have a few thousand Aspergers cases each. I can see the temptation that both patients and doctors may have to want to "name that illness" - for the doctor it means they can prescribe things and feel like they've done something worthwhile, and not feel like they're profited from wasting the patient's time, for the patient it's extra comfort because if they can define something and put a label on it, it then becomes easier to deal with both practically and psychologically, it's better than running around thinking to yourself "something's wrong with me but I don't know what". In my opinion though, most autism cases that are "mild" are in fact not autism at all, rather they're just someone who hasn't learned certain social skills but has instead invested that mental energy somewhere else, like a pursuit or hobby etc. I've worked with genuinely autistic people before and there's sure one hell of a difference between them and someone capable of making an articulate argument on an Internet forum. Just going on the standards of definition for autism where I live, actual austistic people who are even aware enough of themselves to say "yes, I'm autistic" and understand exactly what that means, let alone type about it, are shockingly rare. So it's very weird for me to see post after post on Internet forums from people claiming autism.

The brain is like a muscle - exercise certain parts of it,and those parts will grow. Don't use certain parts and those parts will atrophy from lack of use. In the case of "mild" autistic people, I think that a lot of these people are just a bit socially stunted, just like I was when growing up, and if those people made themselves interact more socially they would probably get over their "autism" quicksmart given enough time and practice. They'd probably also correspondingly get worse at some of their special "autistic" skills as the brain rewires itself accordingly.

I would give you a standing ovation, could I could physically see you.
I suppose it's posts like these that earned you replies in your advice-thread, isn't it? I can see why.

I have stunningly little to add. I think BonsaiK summed up my thoughts on this thread to a T.

 

[Vault101]

I have asperger syndrome, or high-functioning autism (to what is considered a mild degree).

I think autism and aspergers is vastly over-diagnosed depending on country. In places like the USA there's an obsession with diagnosis and people seem to throw around the "A word" like hotcakes compared to other countries. Many other countries only have a few thousand Aspergers cases each. I can see the temptation that both patients and doctors may have to want to "name that illness" - for the doctor it means they can prescribe things and feel like they've done something worthwhile, and not feel like they're profited from wasting the patient's time, for the patient it's extra comfort because if they can define something and put a label on it, it then becomes easier to deal with both practically and psychologically, it's better than running around thinking to yourself "something's wrong with me but I don't know what". In my opinion though, most autism cases that are "mild" are in fact not autism at all, rather they're just someone who hasn't learned certain social skills but has instead invested that mental energy somewhere else, like a pursuit or hobby etc. I've worked with genuinely autistic people before and there's sure one hell of a difference between them and someone capable of making an articulate argument on an Internet forum. Just going on the standards of definition for autism where I live, actual austistic people who are even aware enough of themselves to say "yes, I'm autistic" and understand exactly what that means, let alone type about it, are shockingly rare. So it's very weird for me to see post after post on Internet forums from people claiming autism.

The brain is like a muscle - exercise certain parts of it,and those parts will grow. Don't use certain parts and those parts will atrophy from lack of use. In the case of "mild" autistic people, I think that a lot of these people are just a bit socially stunted, just like I was when growing up, and if those people made themselves interact more socially they would probably get over their "autism" quicksmart given enough time and practice. They'd probably also correspondingly get worse at some of their special "autistic" skills as the brain rewires itself accordingly.

so whats the difference between autism and aspergers?

anyway So what your basically saying is that some people are just socially inept, do you still think high-fuctioning or less sevre cases exist? or are they jsut socially inept?

I have seen people who are more sevre they dont seem very aware of their surroundings

 

[Seraniel]

i dont see it as a disease. i find that Autists (am i the only one that finds the name to have a negative resounding?) always have a unique view on things, they can often solve problems in a way you wont even come close to thinking about.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Going by the actual real definition, homosexuality is not something functioning incorrectly (since there is no right or wron in sexual orientation) while austism is something functioning incorrectly (as human brains are ment to devleop differently).

When you say "right or wrong" or "meant" to, you are talking about subjective value judgements.

The brain is like a muscle - exercise certain parts of it,and those parts will grow. Don't use certain parts and those parts will atrophy from lack of use. In the case of "mild" autistic people, I think that a lot of these people are just a bit socially stunted, just like I was when growing up, and if those people made themselves interact more socially they would probably get over their "autism" quicksmart given enough time and practice. They'd probably also correspondingly get worse at some of their special "autistic" skills as the brain rewires itself accordingly.

No, people who's autism has affected their social skills will always be less socially adept than if they didn't have it. To say that it's purely that they've got more practice at one thing than another is to deny that autism exists.

so whats the difference between autism and aspergers?

Aspergers is on the autism spectrum, it's not as severe as some of the other places.

 

[Ben Moorman]

Amen to that brother!
I can not agree more. By the way I got a mild case of Autism my self and by only years of intense social training I'm now able to have a normal relationship.
And another thing. I have friends with autism and we all share the same interests.
Warhammer, magic, WOW,D&D and so on. We all started play these games before we met.
I find that fasinating

 

[KaosuHamoni]

No. It is simply enhanced personality traits which are magnified to such a level that it seems like a disease. And before someone flames me, yes I do have first-hand experience. Both I and my Grandfather have Asperger's Syndrome, and I suspect that my mother has slight OCD. Asperger's can be both a blessing and a curse, and, fortunately for me, I seem to have rejected almost all if the negative aspects of the condition. My grandfather, on the other hand, while being stupendously intelligent, is one of the most hard to deal with people you will ever meet. I suppose I'm glad for my Asperger's. It makes me who I am, and to a certain extent enables me to get straight A's in my GCSE's. If given the chance, would I change it? No, I honestly don't think I would.

 

[Hiikuro]

I don't think of autism (at least the milder types) as any more different than two extremes of neurotypical thought. Pick two "neurotypical" people (who are quite dissimilar) and analyze their cognitive differences. I wouldn't be surprised if one could find more than a few labels to separate them.

After my little brother got diagnosed as an aspie, my parents suggested me to get 'checked' myself, as they thought I might be as well. Little did they know how far that was from the truth. For that I am glad, as my view of myself would be seriously confused if it was the case.

For most people the cognitive differences aren't enough to make them stand out, even though the differences can be vast. It just seems that there is easier to separate people when they have difficulties with socialization.

 

[Soviet Steve]

Genetic thing from what I've seen. I suffer from aspergers syndrome and so does my mother, grandmother, aunts, cousins and one of my two younger brothers.

19 now and I still feel my mother should have gotten an abortion.

 

[s0denone]

Genetic thing from what I've seen. I suffer from aspergers syndrome and so does my mother, grandmother, aunts, cousins and one of my two younger brothers.

19 now and I still feel my mother should have gotten an abortion.

Why the fuck are you saying something like that, about yourself?
Find a psychologist. Stat.

 

[Soviet Steve]

Why the fuck are you saying something like that, about yourself?
Find a psychologist. Stat.

Already did, they just made sure I didn't get drafted.

 

[Saulkar]

The original flamefusion topic.

This out first: I have asperger syndrome, or high-functioning autism (to what is considered a mild degree). I've known this since I was abut eight and never gave a damn. However, whenever someone hears this, I receive condescension or pity. Getting enough of that as it is (for being openly nerdy), it frustrates me that sometimes a diagnosis colours one's opinion of someone else.

I have been the way I am all my life (as, of course, it's entirely possible to develop autism later in life) and have always held steadfast to the "it's not a disease" argument. To be quite frank, I really never got any of this theoretical downside. I got over all the social problems fairly quickly, and what's better is that I get to keep all the benefits (really great benefits, too; like breezing through school, being incredibly analytical and easy comprehension of logic of any variety). It's almost become a personal point of pride.

Yet, I see that many of my friends at different points along the spectrum (hang around them enough and it can become tellingly obvious to notice anyone who shares your "birth defect") experience much worse social difficulties, and fewer of these mythical "benefits". Frequently they don't notice it (and good on them for it), as I didn't when I had the same issues, but it happens and it can be demoralizing when you do begin to notice it. It disappoints me the amount of condescension and special treatment that is received by people because of social awkwardness, regardless of what's going on inside the head.

So... questions, comments, arguments, funny stories. People with or without. I've really considered it to be an "ignored issue" in society as people consider it a disease like any other (and some go one step worse and say a curable one), so I want to hear anything that anyone has to say on the issue. Honestly, anything is better than completely ignoring the fact that it is one.

I have Asperger's Syndrome as well and my experience has been both pleasent and hell wrapped nice and tightly in the same package. Starting at birth my parents noticed I had unusual, even dangerous tendencies that told them I was not normal. Around 8 years of age my parents took me to be diagnosed, it took close to a year of intense observation as my parents would not let me be misdiagnosed, and lol and behold I was diagnosed with Aspergers. Even to this day my symptoms are very strong and show no sign of kieling over. For example I have no ablility to recognise sarcasm, something that has lead me to many a confrontation, additionally I cannot read body language or tone of voice outside of the extremes or misread it completely. Furthermore I am highly academically challenged, while I can work at the same level as anyone else I work significantly slower with a great deal more frustration. For the classes that I am good at, they are all ones dedicated to artistic elements, i.e. 3D animation, art, creative writing, but I love geometry (only when working with shapes and not nonlinear calculations) and percentages. Additionally I have severe sensory defensiveness, loud sounds cause disorentation, skin to skin contact can not be described any other way beyond painful, many foods, specifically cooked vegetables no matter how good they taste cause immediate projectile vomiting, plus uneven pressure points on my body like a pebble in my boot or a tag left on my shirt are torture. Concluding, I will be talking with someone and they will express an incorrect fact and I will try to correct them no matter how hard they object without realising I am pissing them off, I will go so far as to go find actual evidence and show it to them oblivious to their angst towards me. Though I can recognise it in hindsight, in the moment is something completely different. Post Conclusion, I am very repetative with a very rigid system of do's, do nots, and how do's that are excruciating to break away from but for the life of me I cannot find a system for getting to bed on time.XD

On the other hand I benefit from Aspergers in many ways. I can zone out completely while working allowing for a greater level of consentration that blocks out almost all external stimuli. My sense of depth and perspective in on a whole other level when it comes to art, problem is I do not have a steady hand.;-) This also benefits me in 3D animation where I can keep track of a wire frame scene in a complete state of clusterf@ck that would confuse even industry professionals. My spacial awareness is also way up there, a major benefit to riding a motorcycle at high speeds. I am also heavily desensitized to the cold when in an alert state, it is inverted when I am fatigued. I also have an Eidedic memory when it comes to retaining facts about things that interest me, sadly this does not help me in school.

For being so unbalanced I feel I even out somewhat, but I still have a long ways to go, not that I even want to go there in the first place.;-)

 

[Wintermoot]

first of people should know that not all autistic people are liek Chris Chan
second its not a cureable dissease (atleast not at this moment) I,m not sure but you could also see it as a evolution of the human with a society that works like this its better to figure out how everything works (atleast in the Aspergers case) also autistic people are not mentaly retarded its also not genetic I think its more of a personality instead of a dissease

 

[BonsaiK]

I have asperger syndrome, or high-functioning autism (to what is considered a mild degree).

I think autism and aspergers is vastly over-diagnosed depending on country. In places like the USA there's an obsession with diagnosis and people seem to throw around the "A word" like hotcakes compared to other countries. Many other countries only have a few thousand Aspergers cases each. I can see the temptation that both patients and doctors may have to want to "name that illness" - for the doctor it means they can prescribe things and feel like they've done something worthwhile, and not feel like they're profited from wasting the patient's time, for the patient it's extra comfort because if they can define something and put a label on it, it then becomes easier to deal with both practically and psychologically, it's better than running around thinking to yourself "something's wrong with me but I don't know what". In my opinion though, most autism cases that are "mild" are in fact not autism at all, rather they're just someone who hasn't learned certain social skills but has instead invested that mental energy somewhere else, like a pursuit or hobby etc. I've worked with genuinely autistic people before and there's sure one hell of a difference between them and someone capable of making an articulate argument on an Internet forum. Just going on the standards of definition for autism where I live, actual austistic people who are even aware enough of themselves to say "yes, I'm autistic" and understand exactly what that means, let alone type about it, are shockingly rare. So it's very weird for me to see post after post on Internet forums from people claiming autism.

The brain is like a muscle - exercise certain parts of it,and those parts will grow. Don't use certain parts and those parts will atrophy from lack of use. In the case of "mild" autistic people, I think that a lot of these people are just a bit socially stunted, just like I was when growing up, and if those people made themselves interact more socially they would probably get over their "autism" quicksmart given enough time and practice. They'd probably also correspondingly get worse at some of their special "autistic" skills as the brain rewires itself accordingly.

so whats the difference between autism and aspergers?

anyway So what your basically saying is that some people are just socially inept, do you still think high-fuctioning or less sevre cases exist? or are they jsut socially inept?

I have seen people who are more sevre they dont seem very aware of their surroundings

All aspergers sufferers have autism, but not all autistics have aspergers. Aspergers is considered interchangeable with high-functioning autism by some people, but there's a lot of debate in the medical community on where exactly the line is drawn, or if people with HFA/Aspergers are really autistic at all. Doctors in the USA tend to take a "you dropped a pencil once when you were 6, maybe you have HFA" approach, in other countries the general consensus is more along the lines of "if you can carry an intelligible conversation with a stranger and you don't walk like a shambling ghoul, you don't have autism of any kind, you just need to get out more". In Australia a well-known serial killer (who I can't name) was diagnosed with aspergers but it was covered up in the media because the condition wasn't really recognised here at that time, and the parents of the person didn't feel like fighting that particular battle given what their son did. I also met a family once who had a son with aspergers, they described the experience of raising the child as "like walking on eggshells" and gave me plenty of stories about random tantrums if something was out of place. Aspergers sufferers really like routine and if you fuck with their routine, even unintentionally, it sends them on a really bad trip. This family had to make sure the cutlery was in the right place, and measure the distance between the fork to the edge of the table etc, or the kid would go off and smash shit up, randomly attack people etc, sometimes sending himself or other family members to hospital. Aspergers isn't just "I'm antisocial and don't have a lot of empathy", it's much, much more. Except in the USA of course where you have aspergers if you can recount at least one time in your entire life when you didn't really want to talk to someone, or felt uncomfortable at a party.

 

[Sniperyeti]

It seems likely you underestimate the effects of serious autism. You claim to have understood your condition of aspergers since you were 8, my autistic brother was still learning to put more than two words together in a sentence at that age. A large component of aspergers is the lack of 'theory of mind factor' it shares with autism, but you cxannot ignore the massive social and language deficiency that occurs in autistics from birth.

 

[Hoplon]

I thought you had to be able to catch something in order for it to be a disease?

Actually one of the going theories is that autism in some cases can be attributed to certain environmental conditions during pregnancy. However preliminary work to identify such a root cause has yet to yield specific results, but its clear from the research that seems to be what they suspect is the cause of it. One example is attributed to childhood vaccines. Again, its a slow process to figure out of its a genetic predisposition or something that can be contracted and developed.

Research that linked Autism to the MMR was basically faked to satisfy the people that commissioned it. there is no link to environmental factors, even the paper has been withdrawn.

 

[Matthew Lynch]

Genetic thing from what I've seen. I suffer from aspergers syndrome and so does my mother, grandmother, aunts, cousins and one of my two younger brothers.

19 now and I still feel my mother should have gotten an abortion.

Dude...speaking as a guy who also has aspergers...don;t let it get you down...if anyone has a go at you cause of aspergers, ignore em...they are obviously brainless

 

[dragonslayer32]

I think it was Baron-Cohen (Sasha's cousin) who believed autism to be an extreme male brain disorder, ie anything a male brain can do better than a female brain, autistic people can do it even better, for example, spacial awareness tasks.

However, as Baron-Cohen called it, it is a disorder, not a disease.