Board index › General Discussion › General Autism Discussion

Why is Autism Speaks considered to be an evil organization?

Page 5 of 9 [ 135 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9  Next

Previous topic | Next topic

TheSpectrum
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 14 Jun 2014
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,121
Location: Hampshire

26 Jul 2017, 7:00 pm

Feralucce wrote:
CuriousButDepressed wrote:
Which is why, as I've said many times, that the cures for mental disabilities would be up to the individual, since mental disabilities are not directly deadly to society, nor contagious, unlike physical illnesses.

Your assertion that most physical illnesses are contagious is a flawed statement, but we'll not discuss that..

Yeah let's leave that discussion for the losers at Autism Speaks :lol:


_________________
Yours sincerely, some dude.


CuriousButDepressed
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

Joined: 30 Apr 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Posts: 145
Location: Boston

26 Jul 2017, 7:02 pm

TheSpectrum wrote:
I've always believed in fixing the body and not the mind. However, when it comes to mental health...

There a huge number of ethical arguments that come into play when we go changing or "fixing" the way people think, ASD or otherwise. Autism Speaks speaks out of turn, assuming to speak for people who do not want to change or in cases people who don't need to change, and aims to irreversibly "fix" them. I mean, it was only so long ago people were looking to "cure" gayness. Not to start a flame war here, but do we really want organisations going down the same path with mental health?

OP, don't worry. I appreciate you were only posing a question to the forum. I hope some of the answers people give you help you formulate an opinion.

I must warn you, some Aspies might feel the same way as you do and have well intended ideas but when they profess them on WrongPlanet, many mistake this for advocacy of the problems I mentioned, or even worse - plants and stooges from Autism Speaks itself pretending to be new members who support their ideas. Your name, plus your post count might see you lumped in with that bunch of people. I will continue to give you the benefit of a doubt and hope you enjoy your stay here.

Tell me, though..what led you to ask this? How long have you been considering this topic?
EDIT: Your recent post, plus the fact you are located in Boston, has me reconsidering my positions on your actual identity.......most concerning.


I admittedly had very little knowledge on Autism Speaks and while I agreed that it was unfair for them to speak for people who had not spoken, I saw a well-intentioned, but flawed perspective from them that I could improve on. What concerns you about my position and about where I live? Is that where Autism Speaks is located? I have no idea where it is located.



CockneyRebel
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2004
Age: 51
Gender: Male
Posts: 121,179
Location: In my own little country

26 Jul 2017, 7:03 pm

CuriousButDepressed wrote:
CockneyRebel wrote:
StampySquiddyFan wrote:
drwho222 wrote:
Autism isn't a sore throat. Its not a disease to be cured. I think it would be funny to take Autism Speaks members and crush their heads between two battering rams one by one.


I hate Autism Speaks as well, although I don't know if I would want to take each member and crush their heads between two battering rams :D .


I also hate Autism Speaks and I have a new and special symbol for them. I wouldn't even take my own worst enemy and crush their head between two battering rams.

Image


How do you feel about the vision I proposed? There would be cures available for every mental disorder in existence, but it would be entirely up to the afflicted individual to receive said cures. So if you didn't want one, you wouldn't have to get one.

All physical illnesses on the other hand, would be exterminated ruthlessly.


I just told you. I'm against the idea because the cure would be forced on everyone whether they want it or not.
Autism Squeeks is also working on a genetic test and I'm staunchly against genetic testing, because of what those horrible tests lead to. Nobody should have to be weeded out of the human gene pool just because they have a physical or developmental disability. Haven't you seen the sign? I also feel that people with physical disabilities should have a right to live. This is the last time I'm posting in this thread. You now know just as well as everybody else on WP does, why I hate Autism Speaks or any other organization that wants to wipe out people with any disability.


_________________
The Family Schlager


CuriousButDepressed
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

Joined: 30 Apr 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Posts: 145
Location: Boston

26 Jul 2017, 7:06 pm

CockneyRebel wrote:
CuriousButDepressed wrote:
CockneyRebel wrote:
StampySquiddyFan wrote:
drwho222 wrote:
Autism isn't a sore throat. Its not a disease to be cured. I think it would be funny to take Autism Speaks members and crush their heads between two battering rams one by one.


I hate Autism Speaks as well, although I don't know if I would want to take each member and crush their heads between two battering rams :D .


I also hate Autism Speaks and I have a new and special symbol for them. I wouldn't even take my own worst enemy and crush their head between two battering rams.

Image


How do you feel about the vision I proposed? There would be cures available for every mental disorder in existence, but it would be entirely up to the afflicted individual to receive said cures. So if you didn't want one, you wouldn't have to get one.

All physical illnesses on the other hand, would be exterminated ruthlessly.


I just told you. I'm against the idea because the cure would be forced on everyone whether they want it or not.
Autism Squeeks is also working on a genetic test and I'm staunchly against genetic testing, because of what those horrible tests lead to. Nobody should have to be weeded out of the human gene pool just because they have a physical or developmental disability. Haven't you seen the sign? I also feel that people with physical disabilities should have a right to live. This is the last time I'm posting in this thread. You now know just as well as everybody else on WP does, why I hate Autism Speaks or any other organization that wants to wipe out people with any disability.


For the LAST time, I DON'T want to harm people with physical or mental disabilities. And perhaps there is a way that people with mental disorders will not be forced to receive treatment. You must never give up in the pursuit of perfection, after all.



ASPartOfMe
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 25 Aug 2013
Age: 68
Gender: Male
Posts: 39,637
Location: Long Island, New York

26 Jul 2017, 7:06 pm

CuriousButDeprertssed wrote:
ASPartOfMe wrote:
What the OP is not considering is that some if not a lot of what is considered Autistic weaknesses are really unrecognized strengths. We are a small minority so the majority decided some of our strengths are weaknesses. Because our strengths are often punished even we think of them as weaknesses.

Fear of a Nazi like occurrence whereby Autistics are put in concentration camps and gassed to death seems like paranoia. It is not very likely that will happen but the fear of it is based on history. Before the Nazi exterminated the Jews and other groups they went after the disabled as a trail run. The Nazi's were influenced and inspired by eugenics in America. It was very popular because it was sucessfully sold as the humane thing to do because of similar reasoning used by the OP. Since the revelation of the Nazi horrors the word eugentics has a large stigma attached to it. So the eugenics idea needs to be sold using politically correct words. These words are "gene editing" and "early behavioral intervention" . They are not bieng sold as elimination therapies but as therapies to get rid of the bad parts.


I am NOT for harming those with disabilities including ASDs. As I previously said, it would be up to the person with the ASD, depending on their level of functioning, to decide whether or not they want to undergo the treatments to eliminate undesired traits in themselves. When it comes to mental disorder, this should be a choice on the part of the afflicted individual.


Physical illness on the other hand must be annihilated entirely, since many physical illnesses are contagious and cause immense harm to society. The total extermination of all physical illness will be a tremendous benefit to society, as the costs of treatment will be removed and we will be able to use valuable financial resources towards more important matters.


Supporters of these "treatments" often want it on a voluntary basis. I think that would be great but I doubt it would work that way in practice. There probably will not be a law mandating these treatments, there wil not need to be one. First of all children will not get a say in a the decision to alter parts of their nature. That will be up to their parents. If you refuse to take the treatments I think insurance will be unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Employers won't hire people who refuse the treatments. Refusal might be seen as evidence you have a factitious disorder. The thinking will be your refusal to fix your "flaws" means something is wrong with your charactor and you deserve no benifits nor benifit of the doubt.


_________________
“Self Acceptance is a process not a performance”
“You are autistic enough. And you always have been”

Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity.


Last edited by ASPartOfMe on 26 Jul 2017, 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Feralucce
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Feb 2012
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,143
Location: New Orleans, LA

26 Jul 2017, 7:07 pm

CockneyRebel wrote:
I just told you. I'm against the idea because the cure would be forced on everyone whether they want it or not.
Autism Squeeks is also working on a genetic test and I'm staunchly against genetic testing, because of what those horrible tests lead to. Nobody should have to be weeded out of the human gene pool just because they have a physical or developmental disability. Haven't you seen the sign? I also feel that people with physical disabilities should have a right to live. This is the last time I'm posting in this thread. You now know just as well as everybody else on WP does, why I hate Autism Speaks or any other organization that wants to wipe out people with any disability.

Especially since HDFT CT scans can run a diagnosis (without being invasive) in utero


_________________
Yeah. I'm done. Don't bother messaging and expecting a response - i've left WP permanently.


CuriousButDepressed
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

Joined: 30 Apr 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Posts: 145
Location: Boston

26 Jul 2017, 7:08 pm

ASPartOfMe wrote:
CuriousButDeprertssed wrote:
ASPartOfMe wrote:
What the OP is not considering is that some if not a lot of what is considered Autistic weaknesses are really unrecognized strengths. We are a small minority so the majority decided some of our strengths are weaknesses. Because our strengths are often punished even we think of them as weaknesses.

Fear of a Nazi like occurrence whereby Autistics are put in concentration camps and gassed to death seems like paranoia. It is not very likely that will happen but the fear of it is based on history. Before the Nazi exterminated the Jews and other groups they went after the disabled as a trail run. The Nazi's were influenced and inspired by eugenics in America. It was very popular because it was sucessfully sold as the humane thing to do because of similar reasoning used by the OP. Since the revelation of the Nazi horrors the word eugentics has a large stigma attached to it. So the eugenics idea needs to be sold using politically correct words. These words are "gene editing" and "early behavioral intervention" . They are not bieng sold as elimination therapies but as therapies to get rid of the bad parts.


I am NOT for harming those with disabilities including ASDs. As I previously said, it would be up to the person with the ASD, depending on their level of functioning, to decide whether or not they want to undergo the treatments to eliminate undesired traits in themselves. When it comes to mental disorder, this should be a choice on the part of the afflicted individual.


Physical illness on the other hand must be annihilated entirely, since many physical illnesses are contagious and cause immense harm to society. The total extermination of all physical illness will be a tremendous benefit to society, as the costs of treatment will be removed and we will be able to use valuable financial resources towards more important matters.


Supporters of these "treatments" often want it on a voluntary basis. I think that would be great but I doubt it would work that way in practice. There probably will not be a law mandating these treatments, there wil not need to be one. First of all children will not get a say in a the decision to alter parts of their nature. That will be up to their parents. If you refuse to take the treatments I think insurance will be unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Employers won't hire people who refuse the treatments. Refusal might be seen as evidence you have a factitious disorder. The thinking will be your refusal to fix your "flaws" means something is wrong with your charactor and you deserve no benifits and benifit of the doubt.


I admit my naiveté got in the way of me seeing possible consequences for this vision. I would hope that in a world of voluntary treatment that employers would judge a person based on their level of functioning and not based on whether they received the treatment or not.



TheSpectrum
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 14 Jun 2014
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,121
Location: Hampshire

26 Jul 2017, 7:11 pm

CuriousButDepressed wrote:
TheSpectrum wrote:
I've always believed in fixing the body and not the mind. However, when it comes to mental health...

There a huge number of ethical arguments that come into play when we go changing or "fixing" the way people think, ASD or otherwise. Autism Speaks speaks out of turn, assuming to speak for people who do not want to change or in cases people who don't need to change, and aims to irreversibly "fix" them. I mean, it was only so long ago people were looking to "cure" gayness. Not to start a flame war here, but do we really want organisations going down the same path with mental health?

OP, don't worry. I appreciate you were only posing a question to the forum. I hope some of the answers people give you help you formulate an opinion.

I must warn you, some Aspies might feel the same way as you do and have well intended ideas but when they profess them on WrongPlanet, many mistake this for advocacy of the problems I mentioned, or even worse - plants and stooges from Autism Speaks itself pretending to be new members who support their ideas. Your name, plus your post count might see you lumped in with that bunch of people. I will continue to give you the benefit of a doubt and hope you enjoy your stay here.

Tell me, though..what led you to ask this? How long have you been considering this topic?
EDIT: Your recent post, plus the fact you are located in Boston, has me reconsidering my positions on your actual identity.......most concerning.


I admittedly had very little knowledge on Autism Speaks and while I agreed that it was unfair for them to speak for people who had not spoken, I saw a well-intentioned, but flawed perspective from them that I could improve on. What concerns you about my position and about where I live? Is that where Autism Speaks is located? I have no idea where it is located.

They have offices in Boston. I believe it is their main base of operations.
Also, while it's coincidental, a lot of other factors make you look like a plant.
You're essentially glossing up ideas they've already put forward, except as your own, which could then be argued "but that's what Autism Speaks want to do!" "gotcha! You agree with Autism Speaks after all!" it's an old technique of persuasion used to convince people that they share the views of what they are opposing.


_________________
Yours sincerely, some dude.


CuriousButDepressed
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

Joined: 30 Apr 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Posts: 145
Location: Boston

26 Jul 2017, 7:54 pm

TheSpectrum wrote:
CuriousButDepressed wrote:
TheSpectrum wrote:
I've always believed in fixing the body and not the mind. However, when it comes to mental health...

There a huge number of ethical arguments that come into play when we go changing or "fixing" the way people think, ASD or otherwise. Autism Speaks speaks out of turn, assuming to speak for people who do not want to change or in cases people who don't need to change, and aims to irreversibly "fix" them. I mean, it was only so long ago people were looking to "cure" gayness. Not to start a flame war here, but do we really want organisations going down the same path with mental health?

OP, don't worry. I appreciate you were only posing a question to the forum. I hope some of the answers people give you help you formulate an opinion.

I must warn you, some Aspies might feel the same way as you do and have well intended ideas but when they profess them on WrongPlanet, many mistake this for advocacy of the problems I mentioned, or even worse - plants and stooges from Autism Speaks itself pretending to be new members who support their ideas. Your name, plus your post count might see you lumped in with that bunch of people. I will continue to give you the benefit of a doubt and hope you enjoy your stay here.

Tell me, though..what led you to ask this? How long have you been considering this topic?
EDIT: Your recent post, plus the fact you are located in Boston, has me reconsidering my positions on your actual identity.......most concerning.


I admittedly had very little knowledge on Autism Speaks and while I agreed that it was unfair for them to speak for people who had not spoken, I saw a well-intentioned, but flawed perspective from them that I could improve on. What concerns you about my position and about where I live? Is that where Autism Speaks is located? I have no idea where it is located.

They have offices in Boston. I believe it is their main base of operations.
Also, while it's coincidental, a lot of other factors make you look like a plant.
You're essentially glossing up ideas they've already put forward, except as your own, which could then be argued "but that's what Autism Speaks want to do!" "gotcha! You agree with Autism Speaks after all!" it's an old technique of persuasion used to convince people that they share the views of what they are opposing.


I am not affiliated with the organization and disagree with many of their tactics such as harming those with disabilities or forcing them to be cited. I simply advocate the separate view that a cure should be invented for those who want it but should only be used on those who consent.



Drake
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Feb 2014
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,577

26 Jul 2017, 8:19 pm

I would personally make sweeping changes to myself if I could. I see my autism as an overall detriment to me, but I wouldn't turn myself into an NT if the option was available, it's too scary, and my life has been built around being autistic, not NT.

But I would sweep away all the things that defy logic and limit me. Just off the top of my head, no more meltdowns and other associated emotional issues. No more fear and stress and obsessing over so many stupid things NTs do not fear, barely think about, and even sometimes like. No more dyspraxia. No more poor sense of direction. No more social inadequecies, vulnerabilities, and I'll have that NT "social sense". My empathy is good, but if I can get a boost to that too, I'll have that as well. No more issues with eye contact. No more issues with literal thinking. No more issues with sarcasm. No more issues with overreacting and poorly adapting to sudden change. No more sensory issues. How can any of these things be anything other than a burden? That's a good list, surely you all have at least something there. Tell me why you wouldn't get rid of it. I am honestly curious. Just the accumulated stress from all of it will cut years off my lifespan and cut into my general health, and I'm not even that bad as suffering from autism goes! I got some really nice positive traits out of it, and I'm definitely better off than the majority of other autistics I've met in person, definitely in the upper brackets of the spectrum, but the positives don't offset the negatives. Look at the stuff in the Haven, so much stress and anguish, NTs do not suffer like that, NTs do not suicide at anything like the rate we do. I wonder how many people who've posted in there over the years have since died by their own hand. So many of us were bullied growing up, and so many of us would not have been if not for our autism practically tattooing the words PERFECT VICTIM on our foreheads. Because we are both emotionally fragile and socially isolated we are the perfect targets for bullies to get maximum enjoyment at minimum risk from.



CuriousButDepressed
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

Joined: 30 Apr 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Posts: 145
Location: Boston

26 Jul 2017, 8:27 pm

Drake wrote:
I would personally make sweeping changes to myself if I could. I see my autism as an overall detriment to me, but I wouldn't turn myself into an NT if the option was available, it's too scary, and my life has been built around being autistic, not NT.

But I would sweep away all the things that defy logic and limit me. Just off the top of my head, no more meltdowns and other associated emotional issues. No more fear and stress and obsessing over so many stupid things NTs do not fear, barely think about, and even sometimes like. No more dyspraxia. No more poor sense of direction. No more social inadequecies, vulnerabilities, and I'll have that NT "social sense". My empathy is good, but if I can get a boost to that too, I'll have that as well. No more issues with eye contact. No more issues with literal thinking. No more issues with sarcasm. No more issues with overreacting and poorly adapting to sudden change. No more sensory issues. How can any of these things be anything other than a burden? That's a good list, surely you all have at least something there. Tell me why you wouldn't get rid of it. I am honestly curious. Just the accumulated stress from all of it will cut years off my lifespan and cut into my general health, and I'm not even that bad as suffering from autism goes! I got some really nice positive traits out of it, and I'm definitely better off than the majority of other autistics I've met in person, definitely in the upper brackets of the spectrum, but the positives don't offset the negatives. Look at the stuff in the Haven, so much stress and anguish, NTs do not suffer like that, NTs do not suicide at anything like the rate we do. I wonder how many people who've posted in there over the years have since died by their own hand. So many of us were bullied growing up, and so many of us would not have been if not for our autism practically tattooing the words PERFECT VICTIM on our foreheads. Because we are both emotionally fragile and socially isolated we are the perfect targets for bullies to get maximum enjoyment at minimum risk from.


I'm glad someone else understands where I'm coming from. How could any of those problems be considered positive? What do you personally think of my vision, though?



TheSpectrum
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 14 Jun 2014
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,121
Location: Hampshire

26 Jul 2017, 8:31 pm

I had a lot of the problems that people had here. Meltdowns et. al.
I needed no cure. I also found not using medicine improved my mental wellbeing.

There are still many underlying issues but they are kept in control and balance.

Sorry if I mistook you for a salesman of the Autism Speaks variety. And now your stance is a bit clearer..I'll still agree to disagree. I believe in many cases all internal problems can be fixed internally. I believed it long before my diagnosis, and will do long after it. I feel my opinion may have been different though had I been diagnosed at an early age when I was a completely different sort of animal.


_________________
Yours sincerely, some dude.


CuriousButDepressed
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

Joined: 30 Apr 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Posts: 145
Location: Boston

26 Jul 2017, 8:38 pm

TheSpectrum wrote:
I had a lot of the problems that people had here. Meltdowns et. al.
I needed no cure. I also found not using medicine improved my mental wellbeing.

There are still many underlying issues but they are kept in control and balance.

Sorry if I mistook you for a salesman of the Autism Speaks variety. And now your stance is a bit clearer..I'll still agree to disagree. I believe in many cases all internal problems can be fixed internally. I believed it long before my diagnosis, and will do long after it. I feel my opinion may have been different though had I been diagnosed at an early age when I was a completely different sort of animal.


That is your choice and remains your choice. I simply want people who suffer to have a choice to annihilate all of their issues and to be happier, higher functioning individuals who have better self-esteem and higher potential to achieve in life.



StampySquiddyFan
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 19 Jul 2017
Age: 22
Gender: Female
Posts: 3,754
Location: Stampy's Lovely World

26 Jul 2017, 8:39 pm

Drake wrote:
I would personally make sweeping changes to myself if I could. I see my autism as an overall detriment to me, but I wouldn't turn myself into an NT if the option was available, it's too scary, and my life has been built around being autistic, not NT.

But I would sweep away all the things that defy logic and limit me. Just off the top of my head, no more meltdowns and other associated emotional issues. No more fear and stress and obsessing over so many stupid things NTs do not fear, barely think about, and even sometimes like. No more dyspraxia. No more poor sense of direction. No more social inadequecies, vulnerabilities, and I'll have that NT "social sense". My empathy is good, but if I can get a boost to that too, I'll have that as well. No more issues with eye contact. No more issues with literal thinking. No more issues with sarcasm. No more issues with overreacting and poorly adapting to sudden change. No more sensory issues. How can any of these things be anything other than a burden? That's a good list, surely you all have at least something there. Tell me why you wouldn't get rid of it. I am honestly curious. Just the accumulated stress from all of it will cut years off my lifespan and cut into my general health, and I'm not even that bad as suffering from autism goes! I got some really nice positive traits out of it, and I'm definitely better off than the majority of other autistics I've met in person, definitely in the upper brackets of the spectrum, but the positives don't offset the negatives. Look at the stuff in the Haven, so much stress and anguish, NTs do not suffer like that, NTs do not suicide at anything like the rate we do. I wonder how many people who've posted in there over the years have since died by their own hand. So many of us were bullied growing up, and so many of us would not have been if not for our autism practically tattooing the words PERFECT VICTIM on our foreheads. Because we are both emotionally fragile and socially isolated we are the perfect targets for bullies to get maximum enjoyment at minimum risk from.


I would not choose to get rid of my autism or my OCD when it was severe. I have been through a lot more stress and anguish than most of my peers. Most kids don't come home to sob for hours because they are convinced they have gone insane. Most kids aren't terrified that they are a bad person. Most kids my age don't have the social difficulties, the horrible anxiety, the need for constant sameness, or the sensory issues I have. I can't even hug my own parents because of my sensory issues. You would probably think there was something wrong with me for not wanting to get rid of my horrible difficulties. Well, I'm not like most kids. My suffering has made me a better person. If I hadn't had to jump through the hoops life throws at me, then I wouldn't be where I am today. I would be some arrogant idiot who thinks only of themselves and doesn't have much in common with people who have disabilities. I'm not saying I like having problems; I'm saying that those problems have made me a more tolerant, happy, and accepting person today. I hate my difficulties and still do, but I need to go through them to be human.


_________________
Hi! I'm Stampy (not the actual YouTuber, just a fan!) and I have been diagnosed professionally with ASD and OCD and likely have TS. If you have any questions or just want to talk, please feel free to PM me!

Current Interests: Stampy Cat, AGT, and Medicine


Drake
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Feb 2014
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,577

26 Jul 2017, 8:46 pm

CuriousButDepressed wrote:
Drake wrote:
I would personally make sweeping changes to myself if I could. I see my autism as an overall detriment to me, but I wouldn't turn myself into an NT if the option was available, it's too scary, and my life has been built around being autistic, not NT.

But I would sweep away all the things that defy logic and limit me. Just off the top of my head, no more meltdowns and other associated emotional issues. No more fear and stress and obsessing over so many stupid things NTs do not fear, barely think about, and even sometimes like. No more dyspraxia. No more poor sense of direction. No more social inadequecies, vulnerabilities, and I'll have that NT "social sense". My empathy is good, but if I can get a boost to that too, I'll have that as well. No more issues with eye contact. No more issues with literal thinking. No more issues with sarcasm. No more issues with overreacting and poorly adapting to sudden change. No more sensory issues. How can any of these things be anything other than a burden? That's a good list, surely you all have at least something there. Tell me why you wouldn't get rid of it. I am honestly curious. Just the accumulated stress from all of it will cut years off my lifespan and cut into my general health, and I'm not even that bad as suffering from autism goes! I got some really nice positive traits out of it, and I'm definitely better off than the majority of other autistics I've met in person, definitely in the upper brackets of the spectrum, but the positives don't offset the negatives. Look at the stuff in the Haven, so much stress and anguish, NTs do not suffer like that, NTs do not suicide at anything like the rate we do. I wonder how many people who've posted in there over the years have since died by their own hand. So many of us were bullied growing up, and so many of us would not have been if not for our autism practically tattooing the words PERFECT VICTIM on our foreheads. Because we are both emotionally fragile and socially isolated we are the perfect targets for bullies to get maximum enjoyment at minimum risk from.


I'm glad someone else understands where I'm coming from. How could any of those problems be considered positive? What do you personally think of my vision, though?

I'm not sure. I don't think we should be raised above the NTs. If our weaknesses could be taken away, couldn't by the same token our strengths be given to the NTs too, if they wanted them? Such technology should benefit all. I'm big on self-improvement, it just seems logical that if you can eliminate something from ýourself that's holding you back, why wouldn't you?

I could also imagine other, dark uses for it. Such as having your conscience removed... :pale:



Drake
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Feb 2014
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,577

26 Jul 2017, 8:58 pm

StampySquiddyFan wrote:
Drake wrote:
I would personally make sweeping changes to myself if I could. I see my autism as an overall detriment to me, but I wouldn't turn myself into an NT if the option was available, it's too scary, and my life has been built around being autistic, not NT.

But I would sweep away all the things that defy logic and limit me. Just off the top of my head, no more meltdowns and other associated emotional issues. No more fear and stress and obsessing over so many stupid things NTs do not fear, barely think about, and even sometimes like. No more dyspraxia. No more poor sense of direction. No more social inadequecies, vulnerabilities, and I'll have that NT "social sense". My empathy is good, but if I can get a boost to that too, I'll have that as well. No more issues with eye contact. No more issues with literal thinking. No more issues with sarcasm. No more issues with overreacting and poorly adapting to sudden change. No more sensory issues. How can any of these things be anything other than a burden? That's a good list, surely you all have at least something there. Tell me why you wouldn't get rid of it. I am honestly curious. Just the accumulated stress from all of it will cut years off my lifespan and cut into my general health, and I'm not even that bad as suffering from autism goes! I got some really nice positive traits out of it, and I'm definitely better off than the majority of other autistics I've met in person, definitely in the upper brackets of the spectrum, but the positives don't offset the negatives. Look at the stuff in the Haven, so much stress and anguish, NTs do not suffer like that, NTs do not suicide at anything like the rate we do. I wonder how many people who've posted in there over the years have since died by their own hand. So many of us were bullied growing up, and so many of us would not have been if not for our autism practically tattooing the words PERFECT VICTIM on our foreheads. Because we are both emotionally fragile and socially isolated we are the perfect targets for bullies to get maximum enjoyment at minimum risk from.


I would not choose to get rid of my autism or my OCD when it was severe. I have been through a lot more stress and anguish than most of my peers. Most kids don't come home to sob for hours because they are convinced they have gone insane. Most kids aren't terrified that they are a bad person. Most kids my age don't have the social difficulties, the horrible anxiety, the need for constant sameness, or the sensory issues I have. I can't even hug my own parents because of my sensory issues. You would probably think there was something wrong with me for not wanting to get rid of my horrible difficulties. Well, I'm not like most kids. My suffering has made me a better person. If I hadn't had to jump through the hoops life throws at me, then I wouldn't be where I am today. I would be some arrogant idiot who thinks only of themselves and doesn't have much in common with people who have disabilities. I'm not saying I like having problems; I'm saying that those problems have made me a more tolerant, happy, and accepting person today. I hate my difficulties and still do, but I need to go through them to be human.

I know what you mean actually, about what your suffering has taught you. I'd be carrying around some ignorant views about certain aspects of mental disabilities that would be very hurtful to those suffering from them if expressed if not for having gone through it myself. My logic-based nature would have stopped me being able to understand without having been there myself. And I'd definitely be much stronger in some areas if I could magic away my problems now than if I'd never had them to begin with.

You see value to be gained through your experiences of suffering, and I understand that, but I don't understand how you can actually be happier than you would be without having suffered at all.

But no, I don't think there's something wrong with you. My mind is open, and I want to know why others would keep disabilities which seem to be nothing but a detriment.