Aspergers isn't a disorder.

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People with aspergers are not disabled by aspergers. They are disabled by society.

The neurotypical brain has built this society to fit their needs and their needs only. The schooling system was probably set up by people who reminisced on how they were as a child, and how other neurotypicals were as a child and have set up and improved this society so the schooling system accommodates for them. Nobody would have taken into account an aspergers since we're such a small percentage of the population.

Now, if this society was built by the mind of people with aspergers, I'd go as far to say that a neurotypical in our society would struggle worse than we struggle in theirs, and they would be the ones with the disorder.

Neurotypicals have allowed slots for neurotypicals. Therefore for a person with aspergers to fit in, a new slot has to be properly allocated, and thus the term "special needs".

As such, I would conclude that everyone needs accomodation of some kind, even neurotypicals.
They have simply only allocated for themselves. It's comparable to calling starvation a disorder.

My conclusion, Aspergers is far from a disorder, and society is far from perfect.

Your post reminds me of a story of a baby girl born in rural India with 4 arms and 4 legs; she had a parasitic twin. In many other areas of the world she would have been an outcast or even killed. But since her parents and the people in her village were Hindu they regarded her as a reincarnation of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. The only reason they sought removal of the extra limbs is because as she grew older it would be too difficult to care for her. At two years old they were already having problems.

Abilities/disabilities all depend on the context of the society in which a person lives in.

You are right, this world was not built for people who are not NT. I wonder if some of that will change or is already starting to change with so many Aspies involved in the technology our society is becoming dependent upon?

While you are arguing the social model of disability (which is correct), this doesn't mean Asperger's isn't a disorder.

I think, also, that saying all of the impairment is caused by society is overly reductive and inaccurate.

"Disorder" isn't supposed to be an insult. It just means that the condition is something that you struggle with.

For example, homosexuality isn't a disorder, because it doesn't have to be an obstacle for your life. Paedophilia is a disorder, because it is illegal/immoral to act on and thus it poses a significant problem for the sufferer.

Like anything, it's all a matter of perspective. Yes, Aspies and NTs have very different perspectives.



Well, most people are "disabled" by something in their lives. Society usually labels things, like Autism/Aspegers as a disability, because it's different from the norm. But in a medical context, Aspergers is a "disability" in that it presents challenges for those with it. Now, whether it is seen as a disability by those with it is another thing. Many of us are successful at overcoming any sort of challenges that Aspergers presents. Others have life long difficulties with just trying to live any sort of life. So it's all up to how you see it.

As far as how NTs have set up society/the world, well, does it really matter? All we can each do (Aspie or NT) is just live our life, working to overcome any disabilities/shortcomings life has dealt us. It's not worth wasting time worrying about how NTs have allocated slots for different types of people.

I think my Aspergers is a disorder and most of it is not caused by society. Society didn't 'turn the volume up on the sun' or make my eyes perceive things to be too close/far away. Part of my brain did that so that is a disorder. I agree with the society to some extent because a lot of the other problems I have are to do with ignorance or intolerance in society. I still say that I have a disorder though but my AS is bad enough for me to be in a care home so that's probably why I feel like that.

That's an interesting point, sometimes I wonder what an AS exclusive society would be like, sometimes I wonder what it would be like if we were the majority.

That's the subject of many a fantasy of mine- no one would ever yell, there would be laws against overhead lighting, and tight hugs could be requested or refused with no ill will.

I'm with you on this one, Tyazil. NTs are the majority and they are obsessed with conformity and everyone being like everyone else. We are not like them in how we think and act and are a minority. Therefore, they see us as having a "disorder", like other minorities are seen as defective by majorities in so many cases.

And I keep wondering why "Bullying", "War Starting", and "Routine Lying and Withholding of Truth" - all behaviors common to the NT world- are not considered to be disorders and mental conditions as severe, or more severe than our behaviors that they are so quick to label as defective.

As far as how the school system is designed, you might want to look into a book, available to read for free on-line, called "The Underground History of American Education" by John Taylor Gatto. A Google search will take you there. Our compulsory public school system was designed, for NTs and Aspies alike, for mind control and social engineering purposes NOT for truly educating the masses.

That as it may be, it certainly doesnt appear to be working on me. All it's done is sent me boarderline psychotic. That is, until I found out I was diagnosed with aspergers. I've always thought that twelve years of school was simply to get students to comply and conform.

Conformity is something I have never followed. It may simply be me rather than all aspies, but I've been told I need to "Get real", "I need a kick up the arse" and the list goes on.

But most people in society either can't or refuse to use their brains, I stay content by regarding them - including adults - as children.

in my opinion society is somewhat of an intellectual construct that is absolutely vital since we would otherwise be considered a species that has overpopulated earth

i do agree with you to an extent but it doesn't change anything or make me feel any better because ultimately people are what make me happy and feel like life is worth living

Still disabled over here no matter how society is (also, society has no obligation to tailor anything to me, or anyone). They could give me a zillion dollars, seven degrees, and a job in a high place [without having to do anything to get these things], and I'd still fail at it, as I can't manage money (I just sit on it whilst I live with nothing and slowly ail away; no drive to do anything but read and watch interest related stuff), and I can't work around people, no matter how many allowances I'm given (no matter who they are too).

i don't see that viewpoint as being of any benefit. i have felt like that but ultimately it was just a way of protecting myself from realising my own deficiencies.

people use their brains in very different ways.
Also, most of what actually goes on in our brain is below our level of awareness so who is to say that they are not using their brain. everyday life , including social interaction is actually far more complex than most intellectual pursuits it is just that our brains are able to cope with it easier

All NTs need is empathy and respect for people's differences, then Aspies will fit in perfectly.

I think this thread is kinda focusing on the wrong problem.

There is an autistic spectrum.

Aspergers is at the very mild end of that spectrum.

Start travelling down that spectrum and you will find very quickly that any thought of classifying this condition as 'a difference' instead of a disability is truly absurd. Or perhaps requiring 24 hour care due to not being able to dress yourself, wash yourself, go to the toilet by yourself, speak in anyway and spending most of the day trying to bash your own head in is just a 'lifestyle choice'.

Tyazii, your conclusion of 'aspergers is far from a disorder' seems based on you and you alone.

Perhaps you can follow this logic:

I have a papercut.
I am bleeding.
I am fine.
Therefore bleeding isn't serious.

He has just had both legs blown off by a landmine.
He is bleeding.
Bleeding isn't serious.
Therefore he is fine.


See the problem with your argument?

The OP says nothing of Autism in general.
He/she specifically mentions ASPERGER'S.