Morgana wrote:
I was thinking about this thread today, and I was wondering- IS anybody actually researching AS at the moment? I mean, we´re speculating about it, but I wonder if anybody is studying it? It seems to me that most of the attention these days is on "finding a cure", whereas, in actuality, it would be far more important, for all concerned, to learn and discover more about autism. Likewise, I think they also need to solve the PDD-NOS problem. What is PDD-NOS anyway? It seems to be a nondescript blanket term they use to describe any type of autism that doesn´t fall under any of the current headings. So why don´t they make new headings, and "specify" it finally? It´s awfully cumbersome to have to tell people that you have something that´s "not- otherwise- specified". There is obviously so much about autism that is not known yet, or that has not been defined and labeled.
Yes. I'm in the neurosciences at university - grad student. Autism, the common denominators, are actively being explored. And what was autism has evolved into deeper understanding. (Lack of) Theory of Mind was and is still a hallmark but the neural circuitry and microcircuitry is under analysis! I attended the Internation Neuroscience Convention last fall (Washington DC) - progress is underway. Please know this does not imply cure but rather ways to 'open channels' for those who cannot otherwise communicate/interact, and more. The Markrams are but one group of prominent researchers who have a unifying approach to autism/AS, research too about mirror neurons, etc.
But as far as diagnostics? I don't know - practitioners (who are not researchers!) are far behind. And I agree; hard to describe to another what Autism is, and what is not. Far too many misconceptions.
07 Feb 2009, 4:34 pm
