I was pleased to read this interview with Henry and Kamila Markram, originators of the Intense World Theory of autism.
I find that their conception of autism reflects my experience quite well. The next time someone asks me what autism and Asperger's is all about, I'm going to point them to this.
My favorite things about Intense World Theory:
1. What I especially like--they point out that earlier conceptions of what autism "must be" were hampered by researchers' perception that it was a form of mental retardation. It was like they used to just spot some difference and figure that the brain must be broken somewhere where a "normal person" would function "normally".
2. I was especially glad to see a direct comment on the Simon Baron-Cohen school of thought. "Mind-blindness" and all that nonsense. It makes more sense to me to explain that, if anything, I grasp too much about other people, and it's too damn much for me to deal with.
3. My mind often feels like a swirling torrent of sensation and information, unless I take the effort to bring it to a temporary peace through meditation, prayer, deep breathing, etc. I have recently embraced my need to establish repetitive routines to keep from getting overwhelmed. It's easier for me to forgive myself for needing to retreat from a world that is more intense than it is for others.
4. I also like the notion that certain brain functions kicked in too early and others didn't shut down when they needed to. That feels about right to me.
5. I would use this perspective to explain to why I like applying the Asperger's/Autistic "label" to myself. Not that anyone needs to justify themselves to anyone else, but it's nice to have something handy to point to. Especially when it can be explained in terms of differing neurology and genes.
I've felt like descriptions of autism were written by someone who was really frustrated by an autistic person they had to deal with. I much prefer a perspective that doesn't define autism in terms of "deficits compared to a 'normal' person" but rather in terms that actually describe the experience from within.
I find that their conception of autism reflects my experience quite well. The next time someone asks me what autism and Asperger's is all about, I'm going to point them to this.
My favorite things about Intense World Theory:
1. What I especially like--they point out that earlier conceptions of what autism "must be" were hampered by researchers' perception that it was a form of mental retardation. It was like they used to just spot some difference and figure that the brain must be broken somewhere where a "normal person" would function "normally".
2. I was especially glad to see a direct comment on the Simon Baron-Cohen school of thought. "Mind-blindness" and all that nonsense. It makes more sense to me to explain that, if anything, I grasp too much about other people, and it's too damn much for me to deal with.
3. My mind often feels like a swirling torrent of sensation and information, unless I take the effort to bring it to a temporary peace through meditation, prayer, deep breathing, etc. I have recently embraced my need to establish repetitive routines to keep from getting overwhelmed. It's easier for me to forgive myself for needing to retreat from a world that is more intense than it is for others.
4. I also like the notion that certain brain functions kicked in too early and others didn't shut down when they needed to. That feels about right to me.
5. I would use this perspective to explain to why I like applying the Asperger's/Autistic "label" to myself. Not that anyone needs to justify themselves to anyone else, but it's nice to have something handy to point to. Especially when it can be explained in terms of differing neurology and genes.
I've felt like descriptions of autism were written by someone who was really frustrated by an autistic person they had to deal with. I much prefer a perspective that doesn't define autism in terms of "deficits compared to a 'normal' person" but rather in terms that actually describe the experience from within.
