How autism is changing the world for everybody
From io9.com: How Autism is Changing the World for Everybody.
There’s not much doubt that autism, along with Asperger Syndrome, is finally becoming accepted as a normal part of the human fabric. Even if some people still see autism as a condition that needs to be
treated,it’s increasingly obvious that people on the autism spectrum are finding ways to succeed in our neurotypical-based society.Not only that, but autistic people are changing the nature of our society as well — in many ways, for the better. [continue]
(Yes, I did follow the article’s sidebar link to the walrus that makes fart noises on command. Heh.)
Filed in assorted 5 Comments so far
5 Responses to “How autism is changing the world for everybody”
elen on 30 Jul 2012 at 9:57 am #
Yes, good article.
And re ” A force for diversity:
Modern culture is clearly being defined and influenced by our willingness to celebrate and learn from those who think and act differently — a clear sign that tolerance, accommodation, and understanding benefits all of us.
But not only that, the rise of autistic culture shows how important it is to have alternative psychological modalities as a part of the cultural fabric.”
It seems also that autistic people like Temple Grandin (via her own books, and the movie, etc) are demonstrating that the category, as described above, of “those who think and act differently …. benefits all of us” also includes non-human cultures of animals and the whole natural world.
Westcoast995 on 04 Aug 2012 at 4:11 pm #
It could be very easily said that Albert Einstein and most free thinkers that proposed that the universe revolved around the earth, that humans may be able to fly through the sky, etc. could be considered as suffering from acute autism. By some modern standards they would have to be treated by pharmanautical drugs to dispel their fantasies.
Gabriolan on 05 Aug 2012 at 8:27 pm #
Have you read Temple Grandin’s books, elen? Fascinating.
If society is moving towards being more accepting of people who are not neurotypical, I’ll be very pleased about that.
elen on 12 Aug 2012 at 10:31 am #
Yes, I have read a couple, and yes, fascinating – and helpful learning about our rescue dog and his fears.
Gabriolan on 19 Aug 2012 at 12:36 pm #
elen – may your rescue dog soon have no fears left. :-)