I know it's a burden, but please click on the link; these people won't let me embed the video. Sorry about this!
Notice the condescending tone they're using? "AS is part of a spectrum of autistic disorders and is a lifelong developmental disability."
No, no, NO! It's only a disorder in that it deviates from the norm, and it certainly isn't a disability!
I decided to create this blog after hearing about the skewed perspective that is associated with the reputation of Asperger's Syndrome and other Autism Spectrum Syndromes. No, because I have this condition (notice the absence of the word disorder here? Well, you should!), it doesn't make me retarded, or mentally challenged in any way. On the contrary, most people with Asperger's have an above average IQ. We know a lot about the certain specific interests we have, we are enthusiastic learners, wonderful students who happen to perceive social interactions differently than the average, or "neurotypical" individual.
Believe me, I've heard it all. During grade school I was fired at with every insult in existence and deemed a "freak". Many people experiencing AS have also dealt with this, and as a student who started school in the early '90s, AS was still being examined. In recent years, the number of children being diagnosed with Autism have increased by 119%; people are still learning about Autism and Asperger's alike, which is exciting to witness. Though existence can seem mundane, it's exciting to be a part of a new generation; our generation will be one to help map out the future for many others.
Coming from the first generation of young-adults who were diagnosed as children, I'm interested to see how AS manifests itself in us as the years continue. I was diagnosed at 5 years old and was treated for years afterwards. The fact that I was finally told of my diagnosis at age 14 forced me to become more aware of typical social behavior - I honestly learned the most through trial-and-error and through personal experience, by thinking, "this statement didn't get a positive response; I shouldn't say anything like it in the future." or "by using eye contact in this way I seem dishonest; I want people to see that I'm an honest individual, so I'll never do that again." Therapy and social groups did help as well. I know the constant treatment was a benefit for me, though I'm still strange in many ways.
Now, at 19, I've gotten to the point where one of my doctors says I can fake being neurotypical to the point where I wouldn't receive a diagnosis anymore. I don't agree with this, for my AS is still there - I'm still socially awkward, though not as much as if I hadn't pushed myself to communicate in so-called "normal" ways, and I can't handle stress very well, but I can control my symptoms and meltdowns better. I'm also decently dressed and I appear pretty normal, which, though it unfortunately clarifies the importance of image in our society, I've come to find that it really helps people take me seriously. I still struggle with social mess-ups, but now I'm able to recognize where I've messed up and how to prevent myself from making those mistakes in the future. It's a constant learning process, and though I still have a while to go, I've made a great deal of progress which I am pleased with.
I may be criticized for this, but I believe that those with AS should embrace their uniqueness, while learning to communicate so that they can support themselves in the long run and not feel destroyed by social norms. There are ways to find suitable professions that work with our sensitivities, that maximize our talents and allow us to appreciate who we really are, quirks and all.
This is my first time doing this sort of blog, so I encourage feedback in any way, shape or form. In fact, I'd love it if you gave me feedback!
I know we can beat the system! Who's with me?
2 comments:
I'm with you - I've come to be aware of how my condition actually is a gift in many ways, although it's also caused me a lot of pain.
Much of that pain is due to my age. Growing up with this in the '60s and '70s (I was born in 1965), no one knew what Asperger's Syndrome was or that there was an "Autism Spectrum." Autistics were those non-verbal kids who rocked back and forth and banged their heads against the wall. I was just weird. I didn't begin to suspect what I was until I was in my 40s. Even my oldest son, who skated through a number of "diagnoses" and labels - "Active-Alert," "Spirited," "ADHD," and so on - managed to not be recognized as an aspie until fairly late (he's about your age, born 1990). And I'm just like him (or vice-versa).
And I learned to cope. My wife and I concentrated on teaching our son proper and appropriate social interaction, which he didn't understand instinctively. Reading body language, slowing down and listening, and so on. And as part of teaching him, I became aware that much of my own social behavior was learned also, and that I was basically "passing as NT" much of the time.
That can be pretty stressful. :)
Your comment that you might not get the diagnosis now resonates with me. I haven't actively sought a formal diagnosis for just that reason. I've tried to talk about this issue with a couple of NT friends, and the reaction I get is, "You couldn't possibly be that way." (Ironically, some of them are fellow amateur actors - something I'm good at because I'm doing it every day of my life.) Perhaps I should seek that diagnosis as a layer of protection against the day when I really put my foot in my mouth at work, but I'm not sure how the process would work for a 40-something professional who has had an entire life to work on seeming normal.
Odd thought.
EXACTLY, Steve. Your response further emphasizes how it is possible for us to learn social skills and other mechanisms to make it through life. I don't think Asperger's is necessarily a "disorder" for that particular reason, it's just a definition for a distinctive way in which the brain is set up, which results in the individual prioritizing different things. For example, this is true with my artistic ability - I could draw a person with five fingers and toes on each hand before I could speak.
Aspies are definitely capable of functioning in society, we just function in a different way. A lot of us are better off with jobs that don't require a lot of social interaction, for example, but we're all capable of succeeding- we just need to know where to look.
As for seeking out a diagnosis? You could, if you're curious. If you've been able to hold down years of work thus far without any issues (of course, I don't know what your work life is like) then you may not need a diagnosis. Even though I have a diagnosis, I don't think I'll be disclosing it once I start my job this fall - eccentrics are more than welcome in the creative world, anyway! haha
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