Self-diagnosis

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Yes, there are pockets of wealth everywhere. Even in a place like Chad, in East Africa.

But is there a Chadian Autism Society?

Awareness is low in these places. Lots of times, they can't even get something like Tylenol, no less an autism diagnosis. It's really tough nuggies on anybody who is autistic, as far as these nations are concerned. And tough nuggies for people with many other diseases/disorder, unless their image is affected, like when Ebola swept through West Africa.

I would say the incidence of autism is probably lower, over all, in the Third World, but it does exist. Many people with low-functioning autism get sent to institutions, or they might, if they are lucky, be the beneficiaries of a church charity. If you're Aspergian, it's tough nuggies, too; you have to make a living somehow!

Obviously, to dismiss these people because they can't obtain a diagnosis is ridiculous.

I'm not a segregationist and the segregation argument though couched in logic seems to me to be driven by strong emotion too. Logic is not an exclusive determinant of reality.

This writer gets it from my perspective:
http://nosmag.org/autism-self-diagnosis ... -syndrome/

A common factor which seems to motivate people to join Wrong Planet is suffering, and people who come to late realisation of their place on the spectrum have usually suffered a lot. I see no value in trying to add to their suffering by discounting their perceptions. As has been said many times, this is also a topic in which gender and age are huge and sensitive factors, there is a generation that has suffered from not even being able to get a diagnosis if they had even wanted one. It's not black and white, it's not just a question of logic, it's a very human issue and goes to the heart of suffering that "different" people experience in life, many of whom have never experienced fitting in anywhere prior to coming here. To diminish and invalidate that comfort is always a very sad thing from my perspective.

Gah. It's getting late and I have to go to bed.

I don't think everybody disagrees so terribly, though. I don't have a problem with all the logical arguments and such, it's just that they are not very useful.

I point your attention, once again, to the parable of the poisoned arrow.

This would all be so much better if we could all have a beer together. Beer solves all problems. Seriously.

Be nice, kids

Underwater:

Think about the Warner Brothers Cartoon where the Sheepdog and the Wolf argue during their "work shift."

Yet, when they punch out, they go out for a beer.

Maybe we could all go out for a beer (or, in my case, a soft drink), and play pool/darts or something.

I remember, during some of the most lonely portions of my life, that a good game of pool made me feel better.

I really wasn't any good at it--but it relaxed me, and made me forget my problems.

Do you ever watch pool on TV?

We used to have it quite a bit here in the US. Not so much any more.

Are your cats still dancing?

You should be the ballet teacher to all cats

Also on a lighter note:

Self diagnosed members, rejoice! If the day ever comes when the most powerful politicians buy into the Autism-eugenicist agenda, and the crack down/forced treatment/round up begins (Heaven forbid) then at least you will be safer.

I'm kinda regretting making this topic

You weren't to know. At least this time - so far as I know - we haven't lost any members over it as has happened in the past, when some self-identified members found the atmosphere too hostile for their well-being. No doubt it will all be played out again in the future, it seems to be one WP's many revolving doors...