(Article) The Nonsense of Neurodiversity

[Guest guest]

Stumbled across this article this morning and thought I would share with

y'all. Thoughts?

The Nonsense of Neurodiversity

Oh no, blasphemy I have said the unthinkable. Here is a parent of

two-neuro-disabled children and I think that the entire idea of

neurodiversity is a sham. I also don’t need hate letters from persons in

the neurodiversity movement who think I am now akin to the anti-Christ.

There is wishful thinking and there is reality. There are societal codes

and there are laws and regulations by which to live your life. I think

in many respects I really don’t like the neurodiversity idea because

quite frankly it’s about giving up.

more...

http://www.autisable.com/729557798/the-nonsense-of-neurodiversity/

Enjoy,

~CJ

[Guest guest]

Well, my work won't let me access the full article, but based on the excerpt,

here is my own personal experience:

Reminds me of my own mother. She never could accept that my inability to pull my

life together, move forward in my job or keep a single friend was anything but

my own lack of trying hard enough. When I would sit in a group of kids at age 3

and spin blocks in my hands, completely ignoring the socialization going on all

around me, I was not trying hard enough. I remember being forced to try out for

plays, sports, choir and other torturous activities because, " It's just plain

stupid that you refuse to enjoy these things like a NORMAL person. " When I would

cry to her in high school because I couldn't find or maintain solid friendships,

I was being " melodramatic " .

I remember once, after talking to a school counselor because I had thoughts of

suicide, asking my mother if I could find some kind of therapy program. She

laughed, then she told me to grow up and join the cheerleading squad like a

normal teenage girl.

To this day, my mother doesn't " get " me. She still contends that I am holding

myself back, that there is no such thing as an adult with AS (though, oddly

enough, she is all about supporting AS when it comes to my son). That everything

is " in my head " so to speak. Well, I guess it is really, but that doesn't mean

it's not REAL either.

All I have to say is, I feel for her two children. I know what it's like to grow

up in an environment that doesn't understand you and doesn't care to either.

Personally, I think it is this type of parent who is taking the easy road. Why

spend any time working to understand your children when you can just tell them,

" It's all in your head. Try harder and stop being so WEIRD all the time! "

Just my .02

(Article) The Nonsense of Neurodiversity

Stumbled across this article this morning and thought I would share with

y'all. Thoughts?

The Nonsense of Neurodiversity

Oh no, blasphemy I have said the unthinkable. Here is a parent of

two-neuro-disabled children and I think that the entire idea of

neurodiversity is a sham. I also don't need hate letters from persons in

the neurodiversity movement who think I am now akin to the anti-Christ.

There is wishful thinking and there is reality. There are societal codes

and there are laws and regulations by which to live your life. I think

in many respects I really don't like the neurodiversity idea because

quite frankly it's about giving up.

more...

http://www.autisable.com/729557798/the-nonsense-of-neurodiversity/

Enjoy,

~CJ

------------------------------------

" We each have our own way of living in the world, together we are

like a symphony.

Some are the melody, some are the rhythm, some are the harmony

It all blends together, we are like a symphony, and each part is crucial.

We all contribute to the song of life. "

...Sondra

We might not always agree; but TOGETHER we will make a difference.

ASPIRES is a closed, confidential, moderated list.

Responsibility for posts to ASPIRES lies entirely with the original author.

Do NOT post mail off-list without the author's permission.

When in doubt, please refer to our list rules at:

http://www.aspires-relationships.com/info_rules.htm

ASPIRES ~ Climbing the mountain TOGETHER

http://www.aspires-relationships.com

[Guest guest]

,I'm so sorry. AS adulthood is fact. I read the article as well. I am glad my 8 yr old AS stepson is not being raised by the author. Early intervention, explain literal meanings vs teasing, social lessons, always searching for the right parallel-play mates, etc ......After 3 yrs of specific at-the-moment lessons on life......., you have to really spend time with to "see" the AS. Quirky, eccentric, brilliant, in his own world, amazing, ..... we hear it all. Almost every school grade is 100 average; can't imagine not caring about doing it "right", or that his best will probably earn a B (or, gasp, lower!) in the future. However, My friend who is a speech therapist told me within just a few minutes of being around him "you know he's on the AU spectrum, right?......I think is, too." I had not shared hubby or stepson AS with her at that point. Both were very friendly and welcoming / sociable with her, but she knew. Their timing, awkwardness, concentration. So maybe the point of the article is "buck up and handle it" ----- but I am always on the look-out for ways to enrich our family life. If I am being over-protective, then so be it. I do not feel that I am hindering 's chance of success. I think I'm enhancing it, because we take 1 day at a time and explain specific things along the way. He falls apart at "its raining cats and dogs"...... and he will let you know that there are NOT cats and dogs falling from the sky, it is impossible, blah blah blah. I do not believe in throwing a kid in the deep-end to teach them how to swim. Yes, some will start swimming. They have seen people flopping around and figure it out. But others, who have no concept of what's required, will rightly be terrified of water for the rest of their life. My hubby has embarrassed me a zillion times at this point, but he is realizing how enjoyable it is to be around true friends. But he can't FAKE not knowing how to maintain friendships. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I really feel for your teen years, . Also, my hubby lies sometimes to compensate for not wanting to discuss something. He teaches ME. Why should he have to discuss the way he handled someone that he doesn't want to see again? Because of social etiquette, that he thinks is absolutely ridiculous?All in all, I understand the authors' POV, but I believe she should reach into her toolbox and start teaching her boys to recognize when each one should be utilized.Shauna

Well, my work won't let me access the full article, but based on the excerpt, here is my own personal experience:

Reminds me of my own mother. She never could accept that my inability to pull my life together, move forward in my job or keep a single friend was anything but my own lack of trying hard enough. When I would sit in a group of kids at age 3 and spin blocks in my hands, completely ignoring the socialization going on all around me, I was not trying hard enough. I remember being forced to try out for plays, sports, choir and other torturous activities because, "It's just plain stupid that you refuse to enjoy these things like a NORMAL person." When I would cry to her in high school because I couldn't find or maintain solid friendships, I was being "melodramatic".

I remember once, after talking to a school counselor because I had thoughts of suicide, asking my mother if I could find some kind of therapy program. She laughed, then she told me to grow up and join the cheerleading squad like a normal teenage girl.

To this day, my mother doesn't "get" me. She still contends that I am holding myself back, that there is no such thing as an adult with AS (though, oddly enough, she is all about supporting AS when it comes to my son). That everything is "in my head" so to speak. Well, I guess it is really, but that doesn't mean it's not REAL either.

All I have to say is, I feel for her two children. I know what it's like to grow up in an environment that doesn't understand you and doesn't care to either. Personally, I think it is this type of parent who is taking the easy road. Why spend any time working to understand your children when you can just tell them, "It's all in your head. Try harder and stop being so WEIRD all the time!"

Just my .02

(Article) The Nonsense of Neurodiversity

Stumbled across this article this morning and thought I would share with

y'all. Thoughts?

The Nonsense of Neurodiversity

Oh no, blasphemy I have said the unthinkable. Here is a parent of

two-neuro-disabled children and I think that the entire idea of

neurodiversity is a sham. I also don't need hate letters from persons in

the neurodiversity movement who think I am now akin to the anti-Christ.

There is wishful thinking and there is reality. There are societal codes

and there are laws and regulations by which to live your life. I think

in many respects I really don't like the neurodiversity idea because

quite frankly it's about giving up.

more...

http://www.autisable.com/729557798/the-nonsense-of-neurodiversity/

Enjoy,

~CJ

------------------------------------

"We each have our own way of living in the world, together we are like a symphony.

Some are the melody, some are the rhythm, some are the harmony

It all blends together, we are like a symphony, and each part is crucial.

We all contribute to the song of life."

....Sondra

We might not always agree; but TOGETHER we will make a difference.

ASPIRES is a closed, confidential, moderated list.

Responsibility for posts to ASPIRES lies entirely with the original author.

Do NOT post mail off-list without the author's permission.

When in doubt, please refer to our list rules at:

http://www.aspires-relationships.com/info_rules.htm

ASPIRES ~ Climbing the mountain TOGETHER

http://www.aspires-relationships.com

[Guest guest]

,I agree, and was moved by your reply: I would hate it and did hate it whenever someone assumed that it was just my fault that I did not do things the way "normal" people did them. Thankfully, my mother had better sense in general, but I had teachers who did not. My father sometimes accused me of being "difficult" when I did not understand something and needed clarification. My mother would help me out with that, if I came to her quietly and asked for instructions- so I tended to do that a lot. I was raised to believe that being "normal" was the be-all of social existence, and that looking normal meant being normal (mostly by my father and by a few teachers). I was aware early on that people who were not "normal" could face heavy discrimination

back when I was a girl, and therefore tried quite hard in a lot of ways (but did not try in others where the discrimination was not quite the same). I agree completely with your feelings about this, and pity anyone in the care of this author who is on the spectrum. After learning about AS, I was able to grow in ways I could not as a child, because I had to overcome the hatred I had for these very attitudes- of blame for just needing to be who we are. Once I learned to identify them and then to forgive and begin to understand more, it got and gets easier. I can only imagine what her motivation might be, since I do not know her, and there are a number of places she could be coming from- but at base, she has never been AS for even one day. I have never been NT for even one day, so I have learned to cut her some slack without condemning her- perhaps she does not know and has difficulty with processing all the

differences. Still, I hope that one day that she begins to think about her need to try harder.I guess Savage is not alone.To: "aspires-relationships " <aspires-relationships >Sent: Tue, July 6, 2010 3:44:36 PMSubject: RE: (Article) The Nonsense of Neurodiversity

Well, my work won't let me access the full article, but based on the excerpt, here is my own personal experience:

Reminds me of my own mother. She never could accept that my inability to pull my life together, move forward in my job or keep a single friend was anything but my own lack of trying hard enough. When I would sit in a group of kids at age 3 and spin blocks in my hands, completely ignoring the socialization going on all around me, I was not trying hard enough. I remember being forced to try out for plays, sports, choir and other torturous activities because, "It's just plain stupid that you refuse to enjoy these things like a NORMAL person." When I would cry to her in high school because I couldn't find or maintain solid friendships, I was being "melodramatic".

I remember once, after talking to a school counselor because I had thoughts of suicide, asking my mother if I could find some kind of therapy program. She laughed, then she told me to grow up and join the cheerleading squad like a normal teenage girl.

To this day, my mother doesn't "get" me. She still contends that I am holding myself back, that there is no such thing as an adult with AS (though, oddly enough, she is all about supporting AS when it comes to my son). That everything is "in my head" so to speak. Well, I guess it is really, but that doesn't mean it's not REAL either.

All I have to say is, I feel for her two children. I know what it's like to grow up in an environment that doesn't understand you and doesn't care to either. Personally, I think it is this type of parent who is taking the easy road. Why spend any time working to understand your children when you can just tell them, "It's all in your head. Try harder and stop being so WEIRD all the time!"

Just my .02

(Article) The Nonsense of Neurodiversity

Stumbled across this article this morning and thought I would share with

y'all. Thoughts?

The Nonsense of Neurodiversity

Oh no, blasphemy I have said the unthinkable. Here is a parent of

two-neuro-disabled children and I think that the entire idea of

neurodiversity is a sham. I also don't need hate letters from persons in

the neurodiversity movement who think I am now akin to the anti-Christ.

There is wishful thinking and there is reality. There are societal codes

and there are laws and regulations by which to live your life. I think

in many respects I really don't like the neurodiversity idea because

quite frankly it's about giving up.

more...

http://www.autisable.com/729557798/the-nonsense-of-neurodiversity/

Enjoy,

~CJ

------------------------------------

"We each have our own way of living in the world, together we are like a symphony.

Some are the melody, some are the rhythm, some are the harmony

It all blends together, we are like a symphony, and each part is crucial.

We all contribute to the song of life."

....Sondra

We might not always agree; but TOGETHER we will make a difference.

ASPIRES is a closed, confidential, moderated list.

Responsibility for posts to ASPIRES lies entirely with the original author.

Do NOT post mail off-list without the author's permission.

When in doubt, please refer to our list rules at:

http://www.aspires-relationships.com/info_rules.htm

ASPIRES ~ Climbing the mountain TOGETHER

http://www.aspires-relationships.com