Board index › General Discussion › Autism Politics, Activism, and Media Representation

Asperger's Syndrome is Not Necessarily a Disorder

Page 2 of 2 [ 26 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2

Previous topic | Next topic

dalurker
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 13 Sep 2008
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 514
Location: NY

09 Sep 2010, 11:34 pm

I don't think it's that complicated. In some cases, individuals won't be disordered as they aren't very impaired, hence the distinction of disorder from difference, etc., yet in other cases there are significant and considerable impairments, in which those individuals are disordered.



glider18
Supporting Member
Supporting Member

User avatar

Joined: 8 Nov 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 8,062
Location: USA

10 Sep 2010, 6:26 am

dalurker wrote:
I don't think it's that complicated. In some cases, individuals won't be disordered as they aren't very impaired, hence the distinction of disorder from difference, etc., yet in other cases there are significant and considerable impairments, in which those individuals are disordered.


It is a matter of how we with autism wish to be considered---serious "impairment" or not. There are extremely "challenged" individuals (classic autism) who consider themselves a "difference" rather than a "disorder." I have AS and was diagnosed on two criteria---I easily met the criteria. Then I underwent therapy. But I am not a "disorder." I am a "difference." But that is my opinion and my philiosophy. It definitely isn't everyone's.

I like to illustrate a theory. What if 99 out of 100 people were born with autism? And what if 1 out of 100 people were born NT? The professional community of this world would be calling being born NT as a "disorder." But that sounds absurd because we know those statistics are only theoretical. But the point is, that which is considered a "disorder" can in fact be just a "difference." There seems to be two types of human brains---the autistic and the NT. Without either type, the world would be a much different place today. Many autistics have developed some of the world's most remarkable achievements. And many NTs, through social brilliance, have negotiated some of the world's most remarkable acts of diplomacy. It takes both our brain types to make the world effective. Therefore, in my opinion, the autistic brain is simply different than the NT brain.


_________________
"My journey has just begun."


dalurker
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 13 Sep 2008
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 514
Location: NY

10 Sep 2010, 1:34 pm

glider18 wrote:
It is a matter of how we with autism wish to be considered---serious "impairment" or not. There are extremely "challenged" individuals (classic autism) who consider themselves a "difference" rather than a "disorder." I have AS and was diagnosed on two criteria---I easily met the criteria. Then I underwent therapy. But I am not a "disorder." I am a "difference." But that is my opinion and my philiosophy. It definitely isn't everyone's.

I like to illustrate a theory. What if 99 out of 100 people were born with autism? And what if 1 out of 100 people were born NT? The professional community of this world would be calling being born NT as a "disorder." But that sounds absurd because we know those statistics are only theoretical. But the point is, that which is considered a "disorder" can in fact be just a "difference." There seems to be two types of human brains---the autistic and the NT. Without either type, the world would be a much different place today. Many autistics have developed some of the world's most remarkable achievements. And many NTs, through social brilliance, have negotiated some of the world's most remarkable acts of diplomacy. It takes both our brain types to make the world effective. Therefore, in my opinion, the autistic brain is simply different than the NT brain.


Whether one is impaired does not depend on its acknowledgment or on what one chooses to call the situation. Extremely challenged individuals don't deny they're disordered/impaired. They wouldn't go on to describe such circumstances as a difference. Whether or not there is a real "difference" isn't relevant and has nothing to do with disorder. I'm convinced that the important distinction between individuals is whether or not someone is impaired/how much aptitude someone has.



glider18
Supporting Member
Supporting Member

User avatar

Joined: 8 Nov 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 8,062
Location: USA

10 Sep 2010, 3:30 pm

Dalurker---It does depend on how we acknowledge ourselves. There are plenty of more severely autistic individuals who prefer "difference." I have AS---considered HFA. I do have trouble socializing. Therefore I accept this "difference" in myself as a "difference" and not a "disorder"---I just don't socialize much at all. I have no friends in the true sense of the term "friend." But having friends is not a prerequisite for living a successful life. I am close to my family. That is enough for me on my social life. I cannot effectively utilize eye contact. But that does not mean I do not understand the conversation. It is just a different way of communicating. And the list goes on. So...I have been considered shy, quiet, or whatever else, but that is no different than an NT who cannot do systemizing well---is he or she a "disorder"? No.

And remember---I am calling this my opinion---not everyone else's. But there are plenty of autistics who refuse the term "disorder."

If we on the autism spectrum are to be considered "disordered" then many NTs are "disordered" too in the abilities they might lack in.

Please respect my opinion, and I will respect your opinion---I am just stating that not all of the more severely autistics consider themselves as "disorders."

The bottom line of this opinion topic here comes down to personal philosophies. And there is nothing wrong in my opinion, and in other people's opinions/philosophies to call themselves a "difference."

I would like to add that I do acknowledge the term "challenges" in autism. Everyone has challenges it seems. The challenges of autistics like myself are different than the challenges of NTs. Thus, my use of the term "difference."

I hope that better clarifies my personal philosophy. One could look at it as a "difference" in challenges and in thinking.


_________________
"My journey has just begun."


dalurker
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 13 Sep 2008
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 514
Location: NY

10 Sep 2010, 5:18 pm

glider18 wrote:
Dalurker---It does depend on how we acknowledge ourselves. There are plenty of more severely autistic individuals who prefer "difference." I have AS---considered HFA. I do have trouble socializing. Therefore I accept this "difference" in myself as a "difference" and not a "disorder"---I just don't socialize much at all. I have no friends in the true sense of the term "friend." But having friends is not a prerequisite for living a successful life. I am close to my family. That is enough for me on my social life. I cannot effectively utilize eye contact. But that does not mean I do not understand the conversation. It is just a different way of communicating. And the list goes on. So...I have been considered shy, quiet, or whatever else, but that is no different than an NT who cannot do systemizing well---is he or she a "disorder"? No.

And remember---I am calling this my opinion---not everyone else's. But there are plenty of autistics who refuse the term "disorder."

If we on the autism spectrum are to be considered "disordered" then many NTs are "disordered" too in the abilities they might lack in.

Please respect my opinion, and I will respect your opinion---I am just stating that not all of the more severely autistics consider themselves as "disorders."

The bottom line of this opinion topic here comes down to personal philosophies. And there is nothing wrong in my opinion, and in other people's opinions/philosophies to call themselves a "difference."

I would like to add that I do acknowledge the term "challenges" in autism. Everyone has challenges it seems. The challenges of autistics like myself are different than the challenges of NTs. Thus, my use of the term "difference."

I hope that better clarifies my personal philosophy. One could look at it as a "difference" in challenges and in thinking.


It seems that your opinion and the similar opinions of those similar to you, apply to yourselves. But it's not apparent that all individuals have challenges. Some do and some don't. And some of these challenges in some cases aren't that significant. I don't think such a difference in challenges is of that much magnitude in all cases. I don't really get the idea of calling oneself a disorder. I refer to the reality that some have a disorder, meaning that there are significant impairments.



glider18
Supporting Member
Supporting Member

User avatar

Joined: 8 Nov 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 8,062
Location: USA

10 Sep 2010, 5:31 pm

Hi Dalurker---yes, that makes sense. Like I say, I do acknowledge challenges or I wouldn't have sought professional diagnosis in the first place. And my son has an IEP at school for his autism to meet his challenges. It's just personal preference for the term "difference." But in the sense you are implying in the NT world for us to live---I understand what you mean. I just have the preference to call it a "difference."


_________________
"My journey has just begun."


DarkestShadow
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

User avatar

Joined: 31 Aug 2010
Gender: Male
Posts: 55

11 Sep 2010, 3:54 pm

do not label yourself dysfunctional, but label yourself superior



glider18
Supporting Member
Supporting Member

User avatar

Joined: 8 Nov 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 8,062
Location: USA

11 Sep 2010, 9:07 pm

DarkestShadow wrote:
do not label yourself dysfunctional, but label yourself superior


Why not? We have the freedom to do that if we want. Go for it. Everyone else seems to use whatever labels they want. It's a personal perspective. My preference is difference. But I respect your label.


_________________
"My journey has just begun."


harobed
Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse

User avatar

Joined: 18 Sep 2010
Age: 66
Gender: Female
Posts: 43

20 Sep 2010, 8:28 pm

I don't care what we call "ourselves" (meaning inclusive with the NIMH, the DSM-!V, etc) - the fact is we are IN the dsm-iv which means we either syndrome, disorder or disease.

I prefer ASS myself! 8)

H.


_________________
Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans. ~J. Lennon


lostD
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 30 Dec 2008
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Posts: 560

21 Sep 2010, 4:21 am

buryuntime wrote:
Asperger's is being deleted from the DSM, in place of AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. Why would you need to be diagnosed with it if you weren't impaired?

Also, if you called that a syndrome the acronym would be ASS.


"My friends told me I was acting like an ASS, help me please I never thought I could have Autism."