tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6753820.post6832400446192973983..comments2023-10-30T04:16:25.917-04:00Comments on Sentient Developments: The link between autism and extraordinary abilityGeorgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003484633933455827noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6753820.post-85004186943145543132009-04-27T09:21:00.000-04:002009-04-27T09:21:00.000-04:00Surely you jest? Full-blown autism is not a gift;...Surely you jest? Full-blown autism is not a gift; neither is Down syndrome or any genetic disease that affects function, particularly brain function. If you doubt it, spend a day with an autistic child -- better (or worse) yet, an autistic adult.<br /><br />The connection of creativity with depression and of high-functioning autism with certain types of savantism is widely accepted. However, no level of savant ability can compensate for the concomitant loss of motor and sensory processing skills and the inability to forge human interactions. And it is equally widely known that such "geniuses" require(d) the full-time services of someone else -- invariably a mother or a wife -- to function at all.<br /><br />Equating the consequences of Asperger's with those of full-blown autism is wishful thinking at best. The surge of low-functioning autistic children among the Silicon Valley enclave and similarly sheltered niches (<A HREF="http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aspergers_pr.html" REL="nofollow">The Geek Syndrome</A>) highlights this heart-breaking fact.Athena Andreadishttp://www.starshipnivan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6753820.post-46796133161122911322009-04-26T19:32:00.000-04:002009-04-26T19:32:00.000-04:00It's tiresome when those with Aspergers attempt to...It's tiresome when those with Aspergers attempt to present their experience as the norm for those with Autism.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6753820.post-61084250234577309382009-04-24T21:58:00.000-04:002009-04-24T21:58:00.000-04:00Amen. It always bothers me when I read things like...Amen. It always bothers me when I read things like, "people with Aspergers take things too literally... are too honest" etc. That's just stupid.<br /><br />I've come to believe the world will be a better place for everyone when people learn to see ASD "problems" as strengths -- and NT/conventional strengths as problems (at least in many situations, but not all).B Frankhttp://brianfrank.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6753820.post-5918828075786841972009-04-24T20:33:00.000-04:002009-04-24T20:33:00.000-04:00Speaking as an Aspergarian Transhumanist I have to...Speaking as an Aspergarian Transhumanist I have to agree.ZarPaulushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10923548883992534673noreply@blogger.com