Poll: Asperger Syndrome [please vote, even if you don't know what it is]

[tthor]

god, as i read thru some of your comments, i am amazed at how completely ignorant some of u are.
if you are going to argue something, atleast have a good knowledge of what you are talking about

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." Albert Einstein

 

[Goldbling]

Is there a disease where your happy allot? if so I really do have it, I'm only mad .01% of the time.

Is there another disease where you constantly have to do something? I have that as well

 

[Florion]

Well then, if you cant "fix" us, please just accept us for what we am, a little bit different.

We also can't really "fix" a lack of intelligence (which is also largely inborn). One choice is to "accept", the other choice is to "reject". I'm not advocating one or the other on a national level, but in the same way someone might not want to be around unintelligent people, or unkind people, or fat people, he may not want to be around those with other mental illnesses.

Similarly, in the same way I wouldn't hire someone with an IQ of 90 to be a CEO, people give fewer or more opportunities based on how little or much potential one has (which includes inborn mental illnesses).

On the other hand, being autistic can give you a point of view that most people don't enjoy. Have you ever heard of Temple Grandin? [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin] She's a doctor of animal science; her autism helps her understand the very intuitive way that animals' minds work. Maybe if you're autistic, you can't be a CEO, but there are plenty of other careers in which an autistic would excel beyond the "average" person.

I doubt everyone here who says they're autistic really is, but I bet it could be proven that a lot of high-functioning autistics enjoy video games (or internet forums?), which might be why there would be a higher number of autistic people here.

 

[tthor]

First time i heard of this was when i watched Boston Legal, i couldnt believe there was such a thing, and the Lawyers behaviors irritated the hell out of me...when i found out it was a condition, i felt pity but i was still irritated. im so sorry if you are afflicted by this, i just hope theres a way out of it.

ugh god.. i found that lawyer so offensive, i almost thought of looking into suing the show for slander or something

being annoyed by loud noises, very reasonable.
walking around like a penguinb.. a bit strange, but somewhat possible

but the PURRING, i found that incredibly offensive! ppl with AS may sometimes be a bit strange, but i have NVR seen or even read anything about a person with AS doing something along the lines of PURRING, nor do i think it is a likely possiblility based on AS symptoms
>__<

so PLZ, do NOT take that as an accurate depiction of ppl with AS.

EDIT: and no, there is no way out of it, that would require a complete rewiring of the brain,
tho aspergers is not ALL bad, for some of the symptoms can actually work in our favor, like in mathamatics or science
MANY of the greatest minds in history had aspergers, and it was that different way of thinking that MADE them great

 

[Seldon2639]

Well then, if you cant "fix" us, please just accept us for what we am, a little bit different.

We also can't really "fix" a lack of intelligence (which is also largely inborn). One choice is to "accept", the other choice is to "reject". I'm not advocating one or the other on a national level, but in the same way someone might not want to be around unintelligent people, or unkind people, or fat people, he may not want to be around those with other mental illnesses.

Similarly, in the same way I wouldn't hire someone with an IQ of 90 to be a CEO, people give fewer or more opportunities based on how little or much potential one has (which includes inborn mental illnesses).

On the other hand, being autistic can give you a point of view that most people don't enjoy. Have you ever heard of Temple Grandin? [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin] She's a doctor of animal science; her autism helps her understand the very intuitive way that animals' minds work. Maybe if you're autistic, you can't be a CEO, but there are plenty of other careers in which an autistic would excel beyond the "average" person.

I doubt everyone here who says they're autistic really is, but I bet it could be proven that a lot of high-functioning autistics enjoy video games (or internet forums?), which might be why there would be a higher number of autistic people here.

Certainly. I'm not saying to isolate them, much less kill them, but they're *not* normal, and shouldn't be treated the same way. Aristotle said that "inequality consists of treating equals unequally, or unequals equally". But in the same was an unintelligent person doesn't get a free pass for being unintelligent, no autistic person should get a free pass for being autistic. Your brain's messed up, so you have to work harder to be up to snuff socially. Don't ask for special treatment, or for people to just "accept" you. You wouldn't accept an unintelligent person into a college program unless he's put far more effort into it than someone who is effortlessly brilliant.

 

[nikomas1]

Well then, if you cant "fix" us, please just accept us for what we am, a little bit different.

We also can't really "fix" a lack of intelligence (which is also largely inborn). One choice is to "accept", the other choice is to "reject". I'm not advocating one or the other on a national level, but in the same way someone might not want to be around unintelligent people, or unkind people, or fat people, he may not want to be around those with other mental illnesses.

Similarly, in the same way I wouldn't hire someone with an IQ of 90 to be a CEO, people give fewer or more opportunities based on how little or much potential one has (which includes inborn mental illnesses).

You know, I like how you insult my intelligence in an intellectual way, a breath of fresh air from the normal insults that gets thrown around.
FYI, People with Aspergers have an IQ average of over the "normal" people, if you didn't know that already, this includes me.

 

[Seldon2639]

Well then, if you cant "fix" us, please just accept us for what we am, a little bit different.

We also can't really "fix" a lack of intelligence (which is also largely inborn). One choice is to "accept", the other choice is to "reject". I'm not advocating one or the other on a national level, but in the same way someone might not want to be around unintelligent people, or unkind people, or fat people, he may not want to be around those with other mental illnesses.

Similarly, in the same way I wouldn't hire someone with an IQ of 90 to be a CEO, people give fewer or more opportunities based on how little or much potential one has (which includes inborn mental illnesses).

You know, I like how you insult my intelligence in an intellectual way, a breath of fresh air from the normal insults that gets thrown around.
FYI, People with Aspergers have an IQ average of over the "normal" people, if you didn't know that already, this includes me.

It's called an *analogy*. See my earlier post. My point was that any person with a mind which does not function normally under certain circumstances should not be given a free pass for those circumstances. There's no reason to simply "accept" someone with asperger's in the same way we have no reason to simply "accept" someone into the NBA who was born a midget. Yet that's what saying we should just "accept" you sounds like. You want a free pass from normal societal expectations and mores simply because you're born slightly different, but that's bull. You don't get a free pass just because you have a disadvantage.

 

[nikomas1]

Well then, if you cant "fix" us, please just accept us for what we am, a little bit different.

We also can't really "fix" a lack of intelligence (which is also largely inborn). One choice is to "accept", the other choice is to "reject". I'm not advocating one or the other on a national level, but in the same way someone might not want to be around unintelligent people, or unkind people, or fat people, he may not want to be around those with other mental illnesses.

Similarly, in the same way I wouldn't hire someone with an IQ of 90 to be a CEO, people give fewer or more opportunities based on how little or much potential one has (which includes inborn mental illnesses).

You know, I like how you insult my intelligence in an intellectual way, a breath of fresh air from the normal insults that gets thrown around.
FYI, People with Aspergers have an IQ average of over the "normal" people, if you didn't know that already, this includes me.

It's called an *analogy*. See my earlier post. My point was that any person with a mind which does not function normally under certain circumstances should not be given a free pass for those circumstances. There's no reason to simply "accept" someone with asperger's in the same way we have no reason to simply "accept" someone into the NBA who was born a midget. Yet that's what saying we should just "accept" you sounds like. You want a free pass from normal societal expectations and mores simply because you're born slightly different, but that's bull. You don't get a free pass just because you have a disadvantage.

Please, please don't compare a psychological disorder to a physical trait, you can't compare those.

 

[Gamine]

First time i heard of this was when i watched Boston Legal, i couldnt believe there was such a thing, and the Lawyers behaviors irritated the hell out of me...when i found out it was a condition, i felt pity but i was still irritated. im so sorry if you are afflicted by this, i just hope theres a way out of it.

ugh god.. i found that lawyer so offensive, i almost thought of looking into suing the show for slander or something

being annoyed by loud noises, very reasonable.
walking around like a penguinb.. a bit strange, but somewhat possible

but the PURRING, i found that incredibly offensive! ppl with AS may sometimes be a bit strange, but i have NVR seen or even read anything about a person with AS doing something along the lines of PURRING, nor do i think it is a likely possiblility based on AS symptoms
>__<

so PLZ, do NOT take that as an accurate depiction of ppl with AS.

EDIT: and no, there is no way out of it, that would require a complete rewiring of the brain,
tho aspergers is not ALL bad, for some of the symptoms can actually work in our favor, like in mathamatics or science
MANY of the greatest minds in history had aspergers, and it was that different way of thinking that MADE them great

OK, thanks for the clarity.

 

[I3uster]

IQ is no indicator for intelligence.
Its an indicator of how well you can play tetris.

 

[Florion]

Well then, if you cant "fix" us, please just accept us for what we am, a little bit different.

We also can't really "fix" a lack of intelligence (which is also largely inborn). One choice is to "accept", the other choice is to "reject". I'm not advocating one or the other on a national level, but in the same way someone might not want to be around unintelligent people, or unkind people, or fat people, he may not want to be around those with other mental illnesses.

Similarly, in the same way I wouldn't hire someone with an IQ of 90 to be a CEO, people give fewer or more opportunities based on how little or much potential one has (which includes inborn mental illnesses).

On the other hand, being autistic can give you a point of view that most people don't enjoy. Have you ever heard of Temple Grandin? [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin] She's a doctor of animal science; her autism helps her understand the very intuitive way that animals' minds work. Maybe if you're autistic, you can't be a CEO, but there are plenty of other careers in which an autistic would excel beyond the "average" person.

I doubt everyone here who says they're autistic really is, but I bet it could be proven that a lot of high-functioning autistics enjoy video games (or internet forums?), which might be why there would be a higher number of autistic people here.

Certainly. I'm not saying to isolate them, much less kill them, but they're *not* normal, and shouldn't be treated the same way. Aristotle said that "inequality consists of treating equals unequally, or unequals equally". But in the same was an unintelligent person doesn't get a free pass for being unintelligent, no autistic person should get a free pass for being autistic. Your brain's messed up, so you have to work harder to be up to snuff socially. Don't ask for special treatment, or for people to just "accept" you. You wouldn't accept an unintelligent person into a college program unless he's put far more effort into it than someone who is effortlessly brilliant.

So you would deny someone college entry because they can't communicate like everyone else, even if maybe they're smarter than someone who can? (I'm not saying all autistics are smarter, but social skills aren't everything) If it were up to you, would there be any [inconveniences?] you would be willing to accommodate? What if it was someone whose mind worked perfectly, but she couldn't speak out loud (I've heard of an autistic person like that; she could type her thoughts, though). I think it's the same as accommodating ESL. An autistic person and someone who doesn't speak English well both have valuable contributions.

 

[Seldon2639]

Please, please don't compare a psychological disorder to a physical trait, you can't compare those.

Because one is something you can overcome with effort and perseverance, and one is something you're stuck with your whole life? I'm pretty sure I can't will myself taller. I'm not sure what your objection to the analogy is, but you're now evading the point I made (which did not require the analogy in order to be poignant)

 

[nikomas1]

IQ is no indicator for intelligence.
Its an indicator of how well you can play tetris.

It was an example, but it's well known that many famous scientists had Aspergers.

 

[nikomas1]

From what I know, Benjamin Franklin, Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein all supposibly had it in some form.

 

[Seldon2639]

So you would deny someone college entry because they can't communicate like everyone else, even if maybe they're smarter than someone who can? (I'm not saying all autistics are smarter, but social skills aren't everything) If it were up to you, would there be any [inconveniences?] you would be willing to accommodate? What if it was someone whose mind worked perfectly, but she couldn't speak out loud (I've heard of an autistic person like that; she could type her thoughts, though). I think it's the same as accommodating ESL. An autistic person and someone who doesn't speak English well both have valuable contributions.

Depends. If they fulfill the other requirements, I would. But I also wouldn't force a middle school student to treat the autistic kid more like a friend. Professionally, any contributions they can make may be very useful. Socially, we shouldn't be trying to force people to accept them.

I'm also against ESL accommodations, just so you don't think I'm being unfair. One of the requirements to be part of American society (and most schools/businesses) is the ability to communicate. Unless the person in question's thoughts are so original and brilliant that to miss them would be something unquestionably bad (a la Steven Hawking), they need to accommodate themselves to the school/business, not the other way around. If the person is absolutely brilliant, I'll accommodate him. If the person is less intelligent, but can accommodate to society, that's great. If he isn't brilliant, and can't accommodate, he's SOL.

 

[I3uster]

IQ is no indicator for intelligence.
Its an indicator of how well you can play tetris.

It was an example, but it's well known that many famous scientists had Aspergers.

And many famous scientists were just anitsocial...
Is there any REAL proof of aspergers on for example isaac newton?

Einstein had simillar problems (he didnt talk till he was like six if i remember correctly), but was it really aspergers?

 

[Andalusa]

Everyone in my family except me has some form of it, I've picked up some traits being constantly surrounded by it but it makes me feel like the odd one out rather than the person (people) with AS.

 

[Florion]

Depends. If they fulfill the other requirements, I would. But I also wouldn't force a middle school student to treat the autistic kid more like a friend. Professionally, any contributions they can make may be very useful. Socially, we shouldn't be trying to force people to accept them.

I'm also against ESL accommodations, just so you don't think I'm being unfair. One of the requirements to be part of American society (and most schools/businesses) is the ability to communicate. Unless the person in question's thoughts are so original and brilliant that to miss them would be something unquestionably bad (a la Steven Hawking), they need to accommodate themselves to the school/business, not the other way around.

Ah, I see. I'm Canadian, and I come from a school where we get a lot of kids from Asia (coughChinacough) who don't speak much English. I feel like the difference between thinking a kid is shy or arrogant and knowing they're actually really outgoing, they're just embarrassed that they can't say anything is analogous to thinking someone with autism is being rude to you because they won't look at you or speak and knowing that they just don't know they're being rude.

The argument is not to "force" people to accept each others' differences, it's that people should be educated so they can understand that we're different only in circumstance.

 

[Seydaman]

i did a science report on it

 

[nikomas1]

IQ is no indicator for intelligence.
Its an indicator of how well you can play tetris.

It was an example, but it's well known that many famous scientists had Aspergers.

And many famous scientists were just anitsocial...
Is there any REAL proof of aspergers on for example isaac newton?

Einstein had simillar problems (he didnt talk till he was like six if i remember correctly), but was it really aspergers?

Is there any real proof that Jesus existed, no, but I'll post some info on why they could have had it, theres records of people you know.

Following info copy pasted of this site: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_2086.shtml

Spoiler

Albert Einstein provided the theory of relativity and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for the work he did with photoelectric effect. Characteristics, which may indicate that Einstein was a fellow Aspie, Einstein could not speak fluently at the age of nine, language delays are common in children with high functioning autism. His parents suspected that he might actually be mentally retarded.

Often, children with Autism are labeled Mentally Retarded or Behaviorally Disordered. At the ceremony of induction as an American, Einstein attended without socks. Children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome often have peculiar habits, extreme sensitivity to textures, and are often rated "high" on scales measuring atypicality, demonstrating odd behaviors, and seemingly lost in their own little world. Frequently, children with Asperger's struggle with finding socks that "feel right" or with a line at the toe that doesn't not bother them.

Isaac Newton dropped out of school as a teenager. A person with Asperger's may not be able to accept rules in school if they appear illogical, pursuing a point or argument "as a matter of principle," which can lead "to a significant conflict with teachers and school authorities".

Benjamin Franklin was considered to be one of the most important of the founding fathers of our country. He was a theorist, author, politician, scientist, activist, and diplomat. His scientific contributions included physics, discovery of electricity, and theories regarding electricity. He was also the first head of the post office. Indicating the potential need for rigid rule and order, with sorting tendencies. "Benjamin Franklin's peers did not give him the assignment of writing the Declaration of Independence because they feared that he would conceal a joke in it." Aspies are notorious for an extreme or different sense of humor.