What I think Autism is--Do you agree?

Post Reply New Topic

The social problems come in second, for me. The overstimulation and sensory issues are what I really associate with my experience with AS.

I don't get most theories of what autism really is. Autism is called a Pervasive Developmental Disorder for a reason--it's pervasive. It affects all or most areas of the brain, not just one. It's just a word for a certain pattern of neurological differences. I don't think you can identify one tangible "thing" in the brain that all autistic people lack and all NT people have. Lacking "a social eye" doesn't explain poor balance and coordination, for instance.

I wouldn't say our social eye is blind - it's much more like we can see the whole forest, but not the trees, while Neurotypical people can see the trees of social interaction, but not the forest.

That is, NTs have the ability to understand the specifics of social interaction, cultural norms, and how to apply this knowledge is specific, concrete, real life situations.

Those with Asperger's, however, cannot generally do this as well. Aspies have been described as not living in the world most of the time, but in their own "meta-world". My psychologist characterized it as "a constant view from above" -- i.e, we can look at the entirety of the social interaction concept at once, and while we may not be able to know and work with the specifics (the trees) very well, we seem to have a higher than average ability to critique social norms from above - from an objective standpoint - and to better understand which of the societal mores (those adhered to so constantly by others) are nothing more than arbitrary social constructs. That is, we can see the forest, but not the trees...if that makes any sense.

It parallels the N vs. S dichotomy in Myers Briggs typology, with the N temperament corresponding to the traits of AS that I'm trying to describe, whereas NTs tend to have better "S-skills".

This is the best and most constructive thread on here for as long time. I think there is a lot of truth in these posts.


My view is that AS people have developed an analysis system in their brains that tries try to logically 'work out' socialising: Hence;

- AS social issues, because the social world is so complex and subtle that 'logically' working it out becomes impossible. (The reason we have trouble reading the subtle social patterns is because we're using the wrong tool).

- AS brain neurons appear not turned on because they have fallen into dis-use; the deafening 'systemising' drowns out the more normal and intuitive 'feeling' tools in our brain.

- AS people's focus on patterns and analysis; they have become good at this because they are doing an awful lot of it, and they feel comfortable in areas where logical analysis and sorting do work.

- AS people's heightened sensory issues, because they have been trying to capture and analyse every nuance of data logically for years; they have turned all the sensors to 'high alert' and thus have become more sensitive to inputs.


The good news (you will think I am mad here, but this is simply my true experience) is that at least some people can turn off this 'conscious systemising', and use the better, more intuitive tools - http://unlearningasperger.blogspot.com/ ... mon-q.html


Would welcome any arguments as to what is wrong with this thesis? And also particularly experiences of anyone who is brave enough to try it? It has been just wonderful for me - to get away from AS, to connect with other people....


Very best, JC

i think autism is much different,. i think it has to do with stress/traumatic events/and fear (and the stress wares down the body and changes there nervous system(serotonin and others) from oxicide stress and stress in general, thats what the research points too.. if you look inside of all the definitions and quality research thats what it points too.

IdahoAspie, also it can't be seen in brain scan, I didn't get diagnosed with aspergers (mild autism) till i was 25 and theres no way they found it in my brain, last time i had a brain scan was just about 3-4 years ago. . You should checkout this article Stress and the Gastrointestinal Tract

which is related to autism as well

and checkout gutandmentalillness.com/

also it really has nothing to do with the brain, cause i did fine in school and can socialize, and i'm sure i would of had some paperwork that my brain is screwed up if it was related to the brain. I don't know but based on my research i have really not find that much evidence related to the brain, if you think about it michael j fox has parkinsons,(which has quite a bit of symptoms as autism as well) and he was fine growing up... Besides also autism is a Developmental disorder which is a combination of psychological or physical disorders. which i guess can either be psychological (behavior,and neurological(which means to understand how the structure and function of the brain relate to specific psychological processes and overt behaviors) so it's not claiming to be exactly cause of the brain) also

Serotonin (pronounced /ˌsɛrəˈtoʊnən/) (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesized in serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) and enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract of animals including humans. Serotonin is also found in many mushrooms and plants, including fruits and vegetables. which means that serotonin is also related to stress and ptsd, which means it's related to traumatic events/family problems. I could go on, but based by research it my not even be the brain entirely, maybe a little bit related to the restriction of serotonin, which means it is the nervous system... and perhaps the spinal cord connecting to the brain. (i have lumbar lordosis) which means
something related to the spinal cord,

(commonly referred to as swayback, saddle back, or hyper-lordosis) is a medical term used to describe an inward curvature of a portion of the vertebral column.[1] Two segments of the vertebral column, namely cervical and lumbar, are normally lordotic, that is, they are set in a curve that has its convexity anteriorly (the front) and concavity posteriorly (behind), in the context of human anatomy. When referring to the anatomy of other mammals, the direction of the curve is termed ventral. Curvature in the opposite direction, that is, apex posteriorly (humans) or dorsally (mammals) is termed kyphosis.

so i think pretty much everyone who has parkinsons, and other related stuff. has issues with there spinal cord/nervous system which is some interesting information too.


The actual spinal cord (medulla spinalis) terminates between vertebra one and two of this series, called L1 and L2. The nervous tissue that extends below this point are individual strands that collectively form the cauda equina. In between each lumbar vertebra a nerve root exits, and these nerve roots come together again to form the largest single nerve in the human body, the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs through the back of each leg and into the feet. This is why a disorder of the low back that affects a nerve root, such as a spinal disc herniation, can cause pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve (sciatica) down into the foot.-



lumbar

lordosis

nervous system and stress

nervous system and autism

Ah i could provide alot more but i'm tired so going to sleep, will be back later