Re: Study: Most Self-Diagnosed Asperger's Patients Just Assholes

[Guest guest]

Mmmmmmmmmmm now this is worrying, the article is derogatory and

offensive (maybe they are the *ssholes).

I am not sure what they intend to achieve with such an article?, but

I fail to see how it can help. After reading such would perhaps more

people be put off seeking diagnosis due to possible ridicule and

unfair treatment?

" Under intense pressure, McCouch has agreed to write a follow-up to

the article for the next issue declaring a new medical definition

for the not-quite-Asperger's-Syndrome Syndrome that appears to be

spreading so quickly among America's 20-somethings. The disorder, to

be known as " Ass Burger's Syndrome " should become official by

February or March of next year. "

Intense pressure from whom? or just percieved pressure? Anyhows the

above certainly seems like bad news :-( Wonder if this man has any

compassion whatsoever?

Now conversley, or perhaps controversially I think the article has a

bit of a point - just is put across very badly and unfairly. Please

let me explain, sometimes people ask me what Aspergers is - I find it

hard to define verbally and when I try and explain it to non autistic

people they sometimes say things like 'oh I'm like that' and then

break into a torrent of whatever they wish to talk about - showing

quite clearly how social they are and generally invading my physical

space at the same time :-( I find it very hard and frustrating

getting across to some just how much I am affected by things - people

see it as an excuse, that I am not trying hard enough, that everyone

feels like that - I wish I could just explain get it across

adequately and it worries me that articles like this one and others

will just add to the problem and people will just think it is some

made up thing. To be honest this is not totally new - there have been

for quite some time people who don't believe Aspergers exsists.

I believe it is a nuero logical difference, sometimes those on the

spectrum need help and support though and I just wondering is this

article going to help in any way or just hinder more :-(

Now I don't want to add to this guys hate mail - as I don't think

doing such accomplishes anything other than spread more anger and

hate, but it is tempting to perhaps write to him and ask a few

questions and maybe clear a few things up. Or am I just being

idealistic again.

>

> It bugs me that as Raven and I try to raise money for autism with

> the MIC Project (http://www.midnightinchicago.com/Store.htm for

> those of you who don't know), there are folks out there putting out

> these sorts of articles on joke websites.

>

> Tom

> Administrator

>

> http://www.ridiculopathy.com/news_detail.php?id=1725

>

> Study: Most Self-Diagnosed " Asperger's " Patients Just Assholes

>

> OXFORD, ENGLAND- For 20-year-old college student Annie Soshul,

> learning about Asperger's Syndrome was like opening a door. The

> symptoms of the disorder, not unlike a mild form of autism, sounded

> like her own autobiography: a gift for mathematics, an obsession

> with detail, and extreme discomfort with personal interaction or

> intimacy.

>

> For years Soshul wondered what was wrong with her. Although her

> online life was rich and fulfilling, her " real life " inability to

> get along with coworkers or maintain a romantic relationship had

> become a source of deep frustration. At long last she was now armed

> with a medical term for her peculiar and often abrasive

personality.

> For the first time since early childhood, she felt comfortable in

> her own skin.

>

> She is by no means alone. There are, according to the most recent

> estimate, millions of young people today who so fervently believe

> that the disorder explains who and what they are that they see no

> need to seek medical attention to confirm their condition, much

less

> to treat it.

>

> According to a new study in the current issue of The Lancet,

> however, Soshul and others may be completely off base. After

> rummaging through piles of data spanning years of clinical

research,

> the study's authors have concluded that a majority of these self-

> diagnosed Asperger's patients are actually just intensely unlikable

> people.

>

> They are, in short, assholes.

>

> " I took the on-line 'do you have Asperger's' test from that

Slashdot

> link, and I scored near the top, " said Soshul. " The result said

that

> I'm smart and that my lack of people skills is a gift rather than a

> sign of ineptitude. These researchers can say all they want, but

> nobody can take that away from me. "

>

> Over the course of the past year, this " Do you have Asperger's

> Syndrome " quiz has circulated on the Internet more than " dumb

blonde

> jokes " and " drowned lawyer jokes " emails combined. In fact, people

> take so much pride in their high scores that some have dubbed it

the

> Mensa test of the new millennium. Not surprisingly, the revelation

> that these self-aggrandizing tests have no diagnostic value has not

> gone over well.

>

> Dr. Leon McCouch says that he and the rest of the research team

> fully understood that their work might be controversial but were

> completely surprised at the torrent of hatemail and online death

> threats that followed its publication.

>

> " It was never our intent to insult or upset people, " said

> McCouch. " But as medical professionals, we would be remiss in our

> duty if we were to stand by and allow these people to incorrectly

> tie their boorish behavior to Asperger's Syndrome. Then again, I

> suppose we should have anticipated this reaction. What else would

> you expect when you speak truth to a bunch of assholes? "

>

> McCouch went on to explain that his group's intention is to

> encourage folks who feel they have Asperger's to get tested for the

> disorder. For most of these people, however, the desire for an

> official diagnosis is grossly outweighed by the very real

> possibility that they will be told that they don't have Asperger's

> Syndrome.

>

> The explanation has done little to calm nerves online. E-petitions

> for the article's redaction, profanity-laden rants, and amateurish

> Photoshops of McCouch circulated throughout the web on Tuesday.

>

> " What right have they to take my Asperger's away from me? " wrote

> N1ght3lPh. " I'm so mad about this, I think I might post a thread

> about it. "

>

> Under intense pressure, McCouch has agreed to write a follow-up to

> the article for the next issue declaring a new medical definition

> for the not-quite-Asperger's-Syndrome Syndrome that appears to be

> spreading so quickly among America's 20-somethings. The disorder,

to

> be known as " Ass Burger's Syndrome " should become official by

> February or March of next year.

>

> The designation represents a significant step forward for wannabe

> Asperger's patients and their families, though experts say that it

> could just be a code name doctors will use to subtly mock Internet-

> addicted young people with no social skills.

>

> --

>

[Guest guest]

> http://www.ridiculopathy.com/news_detail.php?id=1725

>

> Study: Most Self-Diagnosed " Asperger's " Patients Just Assholes

>

> OXFORD, ENGLAND- For 20-year-old college student Annie Soshul,

> learning about Asperger's Syndrome was like opening a door. The

> symptoms of the disorder, not unlike a mild form of autism, sounded

> like her own autobiography: a gift for mathematics, an obsession

> with detail, and extreme discomfort with personal interaction or

> intimacy.

Is this the definition of an asshole???????? I'm sorry I missed out on

society's latest standards, but I thought assholes were extroverted,

demeaning and agressive bully-types.

[Guest guest]

I have visited the website www.ridiculopathy.com and to me it seems

it is not very necessary to take this site serious. Neither am I

under the impression that the owners of the site take themselves

serious.

>

> > http://www.ridiculopathy.com/news_detail.php?id=1725

> >

> > Study: Most Self-Diagnosed " Asperger's " Patients Just Assholes

> >

> > OXFORD, ENGLAND- For 20-year-old college student Annie Soshul,

> > learning about Asperger's Syndrome was like opening a door. The

> > symptoms of the disorder, not unlike a mild form of autism,

sounded

> > like her own autobiography: a gift for mathematics, an obsession

> > with detail, and extreme discomfort with personal interaction or

> > intimacy.

>

>

> Is this the definition of an asshole???????? I'm sorry I missed out

on

> society's latest standards, but I thought assholes were

extroverted,

> demeaning and agressive bully-types.

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Tom,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I am also angry - for everyone

who is trying t

raise money and help - there are these people.

Just as I brought up the psychologist, Dr. Marshack, who is using negative

pronouncements about AS to make money plugging her private vendetta in what

amounts to " women who love to much but won't take responsiblity " - this sort of

trash can

be used in the courts against us to take away rights for benefits, bullying, etc

.. . .

Thanks.

Deborah

>

> It bugs me that as Raven and I try to raise money for autism with

> the MIC Project (http://www.midnightinchicago.com/Store.htm for

> those of you who don't know), there are folks out there putting out

> these sorts of articles on joke websites.

>

> Tom

> Administrator

>

> http://www.ridiculopathy.com/news_detail.php?id=1725

>

> Study: Most Self-Diagnosed " Asperger's " Patients Just Assholes

>

> OXFORD, ENGLAND- For 20-year-old college student Annie Soshul,

> learning about Asperger's Syndrome was like opening a door. The

> symptoms of the disorder, not unlike a mild form of autism, sounded

> like her own autobiography: a gift for mathematics, an obsession

> with detail, and extreme discomfort with personal interaction or

> intimacy.

>

> For years Soshul wondered what was wrong with her. Although her

> online life was rich and fulfilling, her " real life " inability to

> get along with coworkers or maintain a romantic relationship had

> become a source of deep frustration. At long last she was now armed

> with a medical term for her peculiar and often abrasive personality.

> For the first time since early childhood, she felt comfortable in

> her own skin.

>

> She is by no means alone. There are, according to the most recent

> estimate, millions of young people today who so fervently believe

> that the disorder explains who and what they are that they see no

> need to seek medical attention to confirm their condition, much less

> to treat it.

>

> According to a new study in the current issue of The Lancet,

> however, Soshul and others may be completely off base. After

> rummaging through piles of data spanning years of clinical research,

> the study's authors have concluded that a majority of these self-

> diagnosed Asperger's patients are actually just intensely unlikable

> people.

>

> They are, in short, assholes.

>

> " I took the on-line 'do you have Asperger's' test from that Slashdot

> link, and I scored near the top, " said Soshul. " The result said that

> I'm smart and that my lack of people skills is a gift rather than a

> sign of ineptitude. These researchers can say all they want, but

> nobody can take that away from me. "

>

> Over the course of the past year, this " Do you have Asperger's

> Syndrome " quiz has circulated on the Internet more than " dumb blonde

> jokes " and " drowned lawyer jokes " emails combined. In fact, people

> take so much pride in their high scores that some have dubbed it the

> Mensa test of the new millennium. Not surprisingly, the revelation

> that these self-aggrandizing tests have no diagnostic value has not

> gone over well.

>

> Dr. Leon McCouch says that he and the rest of the research team

> fully understood that their work might be controversial but were

> completely surprised at the torrent of hatemail and online death

> threats that followed its publication.

>

> " It was never our intent to insult or upset people, " said

> McCouch. " But as medical professionals, we would be remiss in our

> duty if we were to stand by and allow these people to incorrectly

> tie their boorish behavior to Asperger's Syndrome. Then again, I

> suppose we should have anticipated this reaction. What else would

> you expect when you speak truth to a bunch of assholes? "

>

> McCouch went on to explain that his group's intention is to

> encourage folks who feel they have Asperger's to get tested for the

> disorder. For most of these people, however, the desire for an

> official diagnosis is grossly outweighed by the very real

> possibility that they will be told that they don't have Asperger's

> Syndrome.

>

> The explanation has done little to calm nerves online. E-petitions

> for the article's redaction, profanity-laden rants, and amateurish

> Photoshops of McCouch circulated throughout the web on Tuesday.

>

> " What right have they to take my Asperger's away from me? " wrote

> N1ght3lPh. " I'm so mad about this, I think I might post a thread

> about it. "

>

> Under intense pressure, McCouch has agreed to write a follow-up to

> the article for the next issue declaring a new medical definition

> for the not-quite-Asperger's-Syndrome Syndrome that appears to be

> spreading so quickly among America's 20-somethings. The disorder, to

> be known as " Ass Burger's Syndrome " should become official by

> February or March of next year.

>

> The designation represents a significant step forward for wannabe

> Asperger's patients and their families, though experts say that it

> could just be a code name doctors will use to subtly mock Internet-

> addicted young people with no social skills.

>

> --

>

[Guest guest]

The article is a spoof (made up by someone) designed specifically to

make fun of people with AS. The " sources " cited in all probability

do not exist. My point in posting it here is to show all of you what

is going on in the world in terms of how some people perceive us.

Tom

Administrator

" Under intense pressure, McCouch has agreed to write a follow-up to

the article for the next issue declaring a new medical definition

for the not-quite-Asperger's-Syndrome Syndrome that appears to be

spreading so quickly among America's 20-somethings. The disorder, to

be known as " Ass Burger's Syndrome " should become official by

February or March of next year. "

Intense pressure from whom? or just percieved pressure? Anyhows the

above certainly seems like bad news :-( Wonder if this man has any

compassion whatsoever?

[Guest guest]

Making fun of developmental disabilities is like using the N word to describe black folk in audience. Things like this are hate filled just like racism and bigots are. The person has no life, is a sociopathological bully and sorces his hate psychologically to make himself feel good. It is narcisistic and proves his dysfunction clearly..environmental1st2003 <no_reply > wrote: The article is a spoof (made up by someone) designed specifically to make fun of people with

AS. The "sources" cited in all probability do not exist. My point in posting it here is to show all of you what is going on in the world in terms of how some people perceive us.TomAdministrator"Under intense pressure, McCouch has agreed to write a follow-up tothe article for the next issue declaring a new medical definitionfor the not-quite-Asperger's-Syndrome Syndrome that appears to bespreading so quickly among America's 20-somethings. The disorder, tobe known as "Ass Burger's Syndrome" should become official byFebruary or March of next year."Intense pressure from whom? or just percieved pressure? Anyhows theabove certainly seems like bad news :-( Wonder if this man has anycompassion

whatsoever?Turning In Big BrotherMy First Authored BookOnline For Free..http://www.nathanyoung.net

Everyone is raving about the all-new beta.

[Guest guest]

It doesn't matter whether or not THEY take themselves seriously. What

matters is that they implant hateful thoughts in the minds of those

who were previously neutral about people with AS.

Sort of like if someone were to do a " blackface " show like they used

to do during times of segregation here in the US. That was where white

people wore shoe polish and made fun of Negro habits ans culture for

the sake of their own amusement - and also to get a jab in at black

people. Theoretically, such a show is harmless, but what it really

does is send the message that it's okay, acceptable, funny, and

emotionally rewarding to make fun of black people.

It also encourages prejudice.

Imagine being black in times of segregation. You have to sit at the

back of the bus, drink out of separate water fountains, used " colored "

rest rooms, and then you've got white folks doing black face shows in

addition to all that.

Tom

Administrator

" I have visited the website www.ridiculopathy.com and to me it seems

it is not very necessary to take this site serious. Neither am I

under the impression that the owners of the site take themselves

serious. "

[Guest guest]

" Making fun of developmental disabilities is like using the N word

to describe black folk in audience. Things like this are hate filled

just like racism and bigots are.

" The person has no life, is a sociopathological bully and sorces his

hate psychologically to make himself feel good. It is narcisistic

and proves his dysfunction clearly... "

All good points . I think the best words are " It is

narcisistic and proves his dysfunction clearly... "

That goes to show that even as this fellow makes fun of people with

disabilities and diagnoses, he may just hve a few disabilities of

his own.

Tom

Administrator

[Guest guest]

A.S / Autism is not a mental illness.. Even though my service coordinator knows I am diagnosed with HFA she seys I have no known psychiatric illness. Thogh autism can be psychiatricall observed, it in itself is a genic uniqueness which manifests certain difficulties or uniquenesses. It would be oppressionary socially and or otherwise to frame someone for life as stereotypically mentally ill. In fact even government articles do not say it is a mental illness though it does mention persons might have psychosis ect with autism. To say A.S or A.S.D's are mental illness would be hate. Youngenvironmental1st2003 <no_reply > wrote: The article was a spoof, but at the same time, it is rather heartless. The person who wrote it obviously has no understanding of what it is like to have AS.If someone wrote and article entitled "Black People are Just Assholes" or Jews, or gays or whatever, there would be an uproar, but because the writer of the piece chose AS people, and because most people without a "mental illness" think it's okay to trash people with one, you won't hear a peep out of anyone except AS people themselves, and the fact that AS people will protest the article will only, unfortunately, make it seem as though the point of the author is proven.In a word, one could argue that the article is discriminatory and (if

we were a race) racist. Yet I would wager it won't cause a ripple of protest except for the autistic community.TomAdministrator> http://www.ridiculopathy.com/news_detail.php?id=1725>> Study: Most Self-Diagnosed "Asperger's" Patients Just Assholes>> OXFORD, ENGLAND- For 20-year-old college student Annie Soshul,> learning about Asperger's Syndrome was like opening a door. The> symptoms of the disorder, not unlike a mild form of autism, sounded> like her own autobiography: a gift for mathematics, an obsession> with detail, and extreme discomfort with personal interaction or> intimacy.Is this the definition of an asshole???????? I'm sorry

I missed out on society's latest standards, but I thought assholes were extroverted, demeaning and agressive bully-types.Turning In Big BrotherMy First Authored BookOnline For Free..http://www.nathanyoung.net

Everyone is raving about the all-new beta.

[Guest guest]

I agree with you . I merely used the words " mental illness " to

describe how OTHER people tend to see AS.

Your service coordinator is very wise.

Tom

Administrator

A.S / Autism is not a mental illness.. Even though my service

coordinator knows I am diagnosed with HFA she seys I have no known

psychiatric illness.

Thogh autism can be psychiatricall observed, it in itself is a genic

uniqueness which manifests certain difficulties or uniquenesses. It

would be oppressionary socially and or otherwise to frame someone

for life as stereotypically mentally ill.

In fact even government articles do not say it is a mental illness

though it does mention persons might have psychosis ect with autism.

To say A.S or A.S.D's are mental illness would be hate.

Young

[Guest guest]

I am not so sure if they implant hateful thoughts. Probably 'those

who were previously neutral' don't even take this serious either.

I would be annoyed if the article would have come from some serious

or highly estimated newspaper or other media.

>

> " I have visited the website www.ridiculopathy.com and to me it seems

> it is not very necessary to take this site serious. Neither am I

> under the impression that the owners of the site take themselves

> serious. "

>

[Guest guest]

Ah but I *WOULD* worry regardless of the reputation of the

publication because there are people who will read this and believe

it to be factual.

How many people have you heard say, " It must be true. I read it in

THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER! " or " Of course, it's absolutely true. I read

it in the READER'S DIGEST. "

Because even the most esteemed newspapers, magazines, periodicals,

etc., issue corrections from time to time, nothing that is in print

should ever be taken as being absolute fact without sufficient

respectable and indisputable documentation.

However, there are a number of people who will espouse something as

being absolute fact based on an article they read 'somewhere' and

written by 'they' of the very famous and well-informed group

of 'They Say.'

Raven

> >

> > " I have visited the website www.ridiculopathy.com and to me it

seems

> > it is not very necessary to take this site serious. Neither am I

> > under the impression that the owners of the site take themselves

> > serious. "

> >

>

[Guest guest]

You can see from the response to the article on this board that it has

ruffled feathers though. Ruffling feathers was surely the intent of

the author. Sometimes humor is thinly veiled hostility.

Tom

Administrator

" I am not so sure if they implant hateful thoughts. Probably 'those

who were previously neutral' don't even take this serious either. "

[Guest guest]

Well 'they do say' :-) you can't believe everything you read :-)

>

> Ah but I *WOULD* worry regardless of the reputation of the

> publication because there are people who will read this and believe

> it to be factual.

>

> How many people have you heard say, " It must be true. I read it in

> THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER! " or " Of course, it's absolutely true. I

read

> it in the READER'S DIGEST. "

>

> Because even the most esteemed newspapers, magazines, periodicals,

> etc., issue corrections from time to time, nothing that is in print

> should ever be taken as being absolute fact without sufficient

> respectable and indisputable documentation.

>

> However, there are a number of people who will espouse something as

> being absolute fact based on an article they read 'somewhere' and

> written by 'they' of the very famous and well-informed group

> of 'They Say.'

>

> Raven

[Guest guest]

Well 'they do say' :-) you can't believe everything you read :-)

>

> Ah but I *WOULD* worry regardless of the reputation of the

> publication because there are people who will read this and believe

> it to be factual.

>

> How many people have you heard say, " It must be true. I read it in

> THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER! " or " Of course, it's absolutely true. I

read

> it in the READER'S DIGEST. "

>

> Because even the most esteemed newspapers, magazines, periodicals,

> etc., issue corrections from time to time, nothing that is in print

> should ever be taken as being absolute fact without sufficient

> respectable and indisputable documentation.

>

> However, there are a number of people who will espouse something as

> being absolute fact based on an article they read 'somewhere' and

> written by 'they' of the very famous and well-informed group

> of 'They Say.'

>

> Raven

[Guest guest]

Not that many persons have reacted though :-)

But I suppose some are more easily offended than others and for those

who feel that way because of this article I am sorry.

>

> " I am not so sure if they implant hateful thoughts. Probably 'those

> who were previously neutral' don't even take this serious either. "

>

[Guest guest]

, thank you for the first seriously huge laugh I've had in

days. Your humour is subtle yet potent. LOL. :-D

Raven

> >

> > Ah but I *WOULD* worry regardless of the reputation of the

> > publication because there are people who will read this and

believe

> > it to be factual.

> >

> > How many people have you heard say, " It must be true. I read it

in

> > THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER! " or " Of course, it's absolutely true. I

> read

> > it in the READER'S DIGEST. "

> >

> > Because even the most esteemed newspapers, magazines,

periodicals,

> > etc., issue corrections from time to time, nothing that is in

print

> > should ever be taken as being absolute fact without sufficient

> > respectable and indisputable documentation.

> >

> > However, there are a number of people who will espouse something

as

> > being absolute fact based on an article they read 'somewhere'

and

> > written by 'they' of the very famous and well-informed group

> > of 'They Say.'

> >

> > Raven

>

[Guest guest]

People who believe everything they read are a------s. They are almost always extremely selective in what they read (and remember), reading only those articles that confirm their simplistic biases and prejudices- no matter how poorly those articles are written. (The only exceptions I can think of offhand are perhaps certain areas of high quality scientific literature, which after all is a kind of "literature of extreme skepticism". But even then sometimes...) Heph ravenmagic2003 <ravenmagic2003@...> wrote: , thank you for the first seriously huge laugh I've had in days. Your humour is subtle yet potent. LOL. :-DRaven> >> > Ah but I *WOULD* worry regardless of the

reputation of the > > publication because there are people who will read this and believe > > it to be factual.> > > > How many people have you heard say, "It must be true. I read it in > > THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER!" or "Of course, it's absolutely true. I > read > > it in the READER'S DIGEST."> > > > Because even the most esteemed newspapers, magazines, periodicals, > > etc., issue corrections from time to time, nothing that is in print > > should ever be taken as being absolute fact without sufficient > > respectable and indisputable documentation. > > > > However, there are a number of people who will espouse something as > > being absolute fact based on an article they read 'somewhere' and > > written by 'they' of the very famous and well-informed group > > of 'They Say.'> >

> > Raven>Hephaestus Clubfoothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hephaestushttp://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hephaestus.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabeiroi

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