Is AS just an inch or kilometer from NS?

[Guest guest]

" I often think being NS/AS is no different than gay and straight in

many ways. But, that is just " my " humble opinion. Is AS just an inch

or kilometer from NS? Some say yes and some say no. This would be an

interesting topic for discussion. Just me. Other's? I think we have

to be careful here as no 2 are alike...... It is hard for many like

me to compare someone with the label of autism coupled with mental

retardation living in a residential placement with those like Bill

Gates and many on our list. There are also many with the AS label

unable to live on their own so many times it is like comparing apples

to oranges at least for me. "

That's exactly it, ...and yes, I think a discussion regarding how

far AS is from NT would be an incredible discussion. There is no

literature even hinting that AS can slide into NT and/or back again.

As we saw from my exchange with Bill, I find it difficult to compare

as well.

There seems to be plenty of literature that speaks about coping

skills, adaptive behaviors and rote learning. Tons of information

actually...but never even a hint that an AS diagnosis with all the

necessary criteria to make such a diagnosis, also has an open door

where NT is present in the diagnosis and can be identified as well as

accessed as NT.

It would be a great topic of discussion, but I fear it is filled with

land mines. The moment my husband was diagnosed AS, I immediately

wanted to think this meant some small part of him was AS. This would

allow me to continue to think I married an NT with a little sprinkling

of AS, odd or eccentric behavior. I wanted to think little sprinkling

could be fixed easily with a little medication, a bit of psychology or

psychotherapy and viola, the whole problem would go away.

Then I learned it was a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (it's what

it's called in the United States)...I think it's called Autistic

Spectrum Disorder in Europe and/or other countries of the world. I

truly loathe the word " disorder " but that's the way it is referred to

in much of the literature.

Much of what I have said here is because my understanding of the words :

" Pervasive: to become spread throughout all parts of "

" Spectrum: a broad range of related objects or values or qualities or

ideas or activities "

You are correct , no two AS, or NT for that matter are alike.

However, it is my understanding that even though NT's can be different

as night and day from one another, those differences do not make them AS.

Conversely for all the differences between AS, those differences do

not make them NT.

This is my understanding, and there is no literature to the contrary

to my knowledge.

Regards,

Anita NT 55

[Guest guest]

You are correct , no two AS, or NT for that matter are alike. However, it is my understanding that even though NT's can be different night and day from one another, those differences do not make them AS.Conversely for all the differences between AS, those differences donot make them NT.This is my understanding, and there is no literature to the contraryto my knowledge.

here:

I think makes a very good point. If you rely totally on research and current literature you will get a very narrow perspective based on a variety of reasons due to the limitations of their grants, protocol and funding. Even professionals like Tony Attwood has a handler that advises him on his presentations.

If you are looking for the really guts of AS, it is antidotal from families and those "with" AS and boards like this. If you want to really "get" AS, you will ask the families and those "with." We live it and how can so many families from all over the world who don't know each other have the same story and experience??????? It may not be proven research, but it is the heart and soul of our community.

We may not always agree and see things from different perspectives, but we live in the trenches. This has been our lives. Who better to tell the story and that is the heart of every AS support group, whether family or adults "with".

Book smart or people smart till research catches up is an ongoing question in our community. We hope our board has allowed you and your husband a glimpse into many of our lives and it sounds like it has sparked a dialog which is a great beginning for both of you. That is what it is all about.

Just me.