4 ms·
IMHO it is the problem of trying to make things black and white: either being diseases (or worse: used as an insult) or a super-power (or: an excuse). Usually i
by stared 10y ago
IMHO it is the problem of trying to make things black and white: either being diseases (or worse: used as an insult) or a super-power (or: an excuse). Usually it's a combination of special skills, and special needs (and things which are just different). As with almost every other psychological "deviation" from the norm. Hence "neurodiversity" not "neurosuperiority", or the traditional medical distinction between "healthy" and "ill" (and nothing beyond).
See e.g. http://crastina.se/autistic-traits-science-and-the-nerd-stereotype http://crastina.se/autistic-traits-science-and-the-nerd-ster..., especially its message:
> Yet, it is good to be aware of the neurodiversity and that other people can have different styles of thinking than ours, with their pros and cons. It’s not a challenge – it’s an opportunity to see word through various lenses! (As long as we respect other’s right to be different.)
- lordleft 10y agoThis is a healthy attitude I think. Like anything, autism comes with trade-offs.
- EliRivers 10y agoTrade-offs. The negatives of autism are pretty clear; what are the advantages?
- T0T0R0 10y agoSo, like, the whole article is about the perception of legendary talents as advantages conferred by autism.
- jackmott 10y agoand those not being real.
- SolaceQuantum 10y agoThe ability to see the world in a different way and provide different perspectives.
- wbl 10y agoI actually like flapping my hands, nerding out about things, and being me. I wouldn't want to be someone different, even if that different person had an easier time buying pants, and wouldn't have gotten bullied as much in elementary school. Oh, and I read at rates beyond what is commonly cited as the physical limit, after teaching myself to read before kindergarden. Some people with very real impairments are against being cured, while some people with mild ones want a cure. And yes, being able to have an opinion and not constantly wanting to rip your skin off means you've avoided some bad outcomes: they probably want a cure.
- EliRivers 10y agoI can understand why one would enjoy the release of hand-flapping if one needs it, but I can't really class it as a benefit of being autistic. Likewise others things that you enjoy; other people enjoy other things. Having preferences isn't some kind of benefit of autism.