Erikka Askeland: Could autism be a blessing in disguise?

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Undoubtedly, Asperger's is highly beneficial to society as a whole, but in terms of the individual, it can be massively difficult. It's okay for a NT writer to say it has its positives, because they do not have to experience the difficulties of it, merely reap the benefits.

BobbyFrankyJim:

The writer of the article appears to be knowledgeable about the subject matter. I suspect she was just highlighting the positive aspects that can exist along the spectrum.

In my humble opinion, you can gain a bit of insight from others....

TheSunAlsoRises

My only concern is the amount people 'point out the positives of Aspergers', which can result in its trivialisation. When such a condition is seen as having positive, or not completely negative, people will be less concerned about it and look at 'more important' issues.

You have a very valid, point. I use to be quick to bring in the negatives when Autism was discussed in-order to present the other side. However, over-time, i began to chill out a bit with an understanding that people want to just celebrate their strengths, sometimes.

I think Aspergers (which is no longer listed officially in the DSM) is undergoing a silent transformation. I suspect changes in the DSM will attempt to acclimate those on the mild side of the spectrum(depending upon severity/degree of co-morbids) as much in main stream society as possible. The Autism Spectrum(Five to Ten years from Now) want look like it does, currently.

*Just an opinion and should be taken as such




TheSunAlsoRises

Some blessing some not

blessing because they are :
-discipline
-honest
-straightforward
-calm
-talented
-crafty
-intelligent
-idealist
-somewhat kind

unblessing because they are :
-socially misfit
-aloof
-naive
-anti mainstream
-dork

Yes, it can be a blessing! It can be a challenge. It can be a disaster.

Life - and being on the Autism Spectrum (for me) is what you make of it. I have decided that I am making only one pass through this life - so it is pointless to sit by and wait for someone else to "fix" me or feel sorry for myself. I have decided to go out and do those things that make me happy - and to repeat this process as many times as I am able to before the grim reaper comes for me.

Abraham Lincoln once said most everyone is just as happy as they make up their mind to be. H**l, just being Nero-typical does not grant you a sure ticket to happiness! Only a small fraction of NT are in the "in crowd" most struggle to make ends meet, many are unhappy with their lot in life and go around feeling that something is "missing from their life". We Asperger's have no corner on the market in the hard knocks of life -- in fact in some ways we are better prepared to weather the hard times and disasters life sends us. Many of us have a high talent in problem solving - extra intelligence and are often more self-relent than our NT fellow travelers in life.