Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 I don't know what to say as an introduction of myself. I'm 45 (birthday the other day), and self-diagnosed Aspie. More full- blown Autistic traits in my youth, and I was (as I recall) diagnosed with " minimal brain damage " in about fourth grade or so. I recall, after my one day in Special Classes, my Mom telling me " they said you're Brain Damaged. Do you think you're brain damaged? " " No, Mom, I'm not Brain Damaged! " " Then you must be Just Fine, then. " Or words to that effect. I seem to have read that Minimal Brain Damage is now called Dyspraxia, whereas Minimal Brain Disfunction is now ADHD, but I don't really understand all that. Don't think what I've read about Dyspraxia fits me much. They didn't have Aspergers as a diagnosis in the '60's, when I was a kid, I wasn't low-functioning Autistic, and hyperlexia made me seem a lot smarter than I (probably) actually am. So, given my apparent brilliance and potential, and total lack of educational progress, I was just " Lazy, Stupid or Crazy. " Anyway, not what I intended to write about. I have seen in the ADD groups the description of ADD as " hunter " style behavior -- constantly scanning the environment, catching little details of movement, pursuing a " target " intensely for an extended period, and so on. This does suggest a way in which ADD could be a pro-survival set of traits, explaining the preservation of ADD in the gene pool of primitive humanity. I wonder if Aspie traits might similarly be considered " herder " traits. A shepherd needs to be effective in a quiet, unchanging environment, quick to respond to change -- which often indicates danger. Comfort in the dark and quiet rather than bright light and noise would be a plus. Temple Grandin's gift for understanding the perceptions of cattle may be part of a larger pattern, an AS gift for " reading the herd " which may apply to the rest of us somewhat -- or maybe I'm pushing the metaphor too hard... Some of the more inconvenient aspects of AS make sense in this context, too. Being uncomfortable in noisy, boisterous crowds is natural to one predisposed to working alone out in the wilderness with the herd. Sensitivity to sudden, loud noises would be a survival trait where such noises indicate oncoming trouble, out in the quiet of the open range. A while back, a friend was suggesting a way to deal with an attractive young lady I'd met, and he said, " but I know that's not the Cowboy Way. " Reflecting on that, I was struck by how consistent AS is with the Cowboy Way, at least the movie version. Being a loner who doesn't talk much. A strong adherence to clear rights and wrongs. A tendency to plainly stating one's truth. " Them that don't know him don't like him, and them that do, sometimes don't know how to take him. " A tendency to jump into a fight with both feet when right and wrong are at stake. A tendency toward literalism fits in, too. Say what you mean, and mean what you say -- that's the Cowboy Way, isn't it? The facial expression thing works, too -- Clint Eastwood could very easily play an Aspie, and arguably, he does, doesn't he? Ever seen some of the expressions he gets in his movies? Even rocking back and forth is reminiscent of ambling along on horseback -- one could stim like that on a long ride and nobody'd know the difference. <grin> Ditto with a bit of hand- flapping, up to a point. Git along little doggies & all that. That " Mommas, Don't Let Your Babies " song by Waylon & Willie sure does have some AS traits in it, now doesn't it? " Cowboys ain't easy to love, and they're harder to hold... " Further comparisons are left as An Exercise For The Reader. How much more responsive do you suppose folks might be to The Cowboy Way, which they've been brought up to understand and respect, than to the Aspie Way, which they don't understand? I am mostly serious about all this, but I dunno if it all proves anything. Interesting thought, though, huh? -- " Maybe this is As Good As It Gets? " This message may not be reproduced without the express, written consent of the Commissioner of Baseball. Void where prohibited or otherwise taxed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 > Welcome, . My mother's pre-marriage last name was . > Maybe we're related. ;-) http://www.jimsmithsociety.com/ :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 wrote: >How much more responsive do you suppose folks might be to The >Cowboy Way, which they've been brought up to understand and >respect, than to the Aspie Way, which they don't understand? Hmmmm. How responsive would folks be to a short, middle-aged, gray-haired female claiming to represent " the cowboy way " ? Welcome, . My mother's pre-marriage last name was . Maybe we're related. ;-) Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 Hi Cowboy. You don't have to prove any thing, here, as you said in your introduction. I am near your age, 39. I uh, wanted to say welcome. Welcome. I'm Kim. >>>>How much more responsive do you suppose folks might be to The Cowboy Way, which they've been brought up to understand and respect, than to the Aspie Way, which they don't understand? I am mostly serious about all this, but I dunno if it all proves anything. Interesting thought, though, huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.