Hi Revjames,
And thank YOU for sharing that with us... You say that your son "comes across" as a young teenager.
That is most interesting. As I myself am stuck at about 12, I am sure you know what i mean when i say this. Apparently, this sort of thing is very common, well, it would be given that Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder!!
Hi Paul.
Speaking out of turn!!! Ha ha, of course not....As with most things, you are quite correct....If only the world was composed of Fred Dibnah clones, i for one would be a lot better off. The "big" modern world does not suit us at all. A quiet orderly village type place, one where people supported each other, where everyone had there place, would be much better.
Now, to everyone else, i will explain a few things, as, all this is very complex to understand....
First off, is the stuck at 12 bit...
Autism is a "pervasive developmental disorder"
The "developmental disorder" bit, in basic, practical terms, means that ones emotional development basically comes to a halt. Most autistic kids are good in primary school, as primary school mainly rotates around learning "facts" Nearly all autistic kids fall apart when it comes to secondary school though. This is because secondary school is where you learn more on "how to be a person" as opposed to being basically an inanimate object taking on board facts. This is where it all goes wrong.....It is simply something you CANNOT do. You might be able to be taught to imitate the actions of others, but that is all, you will never understand them...[More on this later.]
The "pervasive" part, means that the disorder "pervades" all areas of your life...
As Paul said when discussing persons he knows "One has 2 degrees in abstract subjects, but has issues looking after himself day to day"
A lot of you might struggle to understand this;
How can you have a degree, and yet be unable to take care of yourself??
Well, one of the defining characteristics of autism, is what is known as "an uneven profile of abilities" You might be brilliant in a narrow chosen field of your own, but quite hopeless at applying this knowledge, or interacting with the outside world. You are in fact, as i said, trapped in your own little "goldfish bowl" world.
See it like this...You might have a very intelligent, well educated 8 year old. Would you expect them though, to be able to go out and deal with the outside world in the way that an adult would?? Of course not. But why not??? They might have the intelligence to do this, so what is the problem?? Simple, they have not developed enough in an EMOTIONAL sense, or have the social skills to be able to do this.
So, now you can see why a person, no matter how intelligent, that has a "pervasive developmental disorder" might be, [and usually is] quite unable to live independently..
Now then, the "more on this later bit" How is it that an autistic person cannot be taught, [but only to imitate] the way others act. Simple, in the same way, YOU will never [and i do not care if you ARE a consultant psychiatrist] understand how WE see things, or how OUR world is. But why??? Well. i will tell you...
Our brains are different to yours, they are actually physically different. Sooooooo. I will try to explain the differences as best i can.
We live in a three dimensional world yes??? If i asked you, or most five year olds to draw a "wire frame cube" [ok you would have to clarify this to a 5 year old] or any other simple 3 dimensional figure, they, or you, would draw one in only a few seconds. [it might take me ages!!!]
BUT, actually learned physicists assure us that we actually live in a FOUR dimensional world. [the fourth dimension being time] No matter how potty this seems to us all, who are we to argue with them...
Now then, supposing i asked you to draw a FOUR dimensional object....You could NEVER EVER do it. But why not??? Well, the human brain is designed and programmed to operate in THREE dimensions. This makes it quite impossible for you to visualise or indeed draw a four dimensional figure, you simply could not do it..
In the same way, a person with autism can never ever be taught how to be "normal" only to try to imitate the actions of normal people. In the same way, you will never be able to trully understand "OUR" world...
Finally, to all the idiots that might like to believe that Bill Gates is autistic, or any of the other like minded rubbish they might read in the paper, i have included the diagnostic criteria for Aspergers syndrome..
If you do NOT fit these criteria, you simply have not got Aspergers...
Autistic Disorder (DSM-IV-TR, 2000, p. 70)
A. 'A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2) and (3) with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):
Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
a. marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviours such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures and gestures to regulate social interaction
b. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
c. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing or pointing out objects of interest)
d. lack of social or emotional reciprocity.
2. Qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:
a. delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)
b. in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
c. stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
d. lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level.
3. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
a. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
b. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, non-functional routines or rituals
c. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g. hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-of-body movements)
d. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects.
B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play.
C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.'
Hope this was not boring!!!!!!!
john
