Is Autism really as definable as the "experts" claim?

[ancusmitis]

Some jobs just need people with good communication skills. People with autism don't have good communication skills as by definition our communication is impaired. So it just makes sense that certain jobs just won't hire us.

It's important to understand that ASD is not totally, or even partially, the inability to communicate. That's because communication is a skill, which can be developed like any other. Of course, like with any skill, many people lack a natural aptitude for it, but just like not every NT is suitable for a career in communications, not every autistic is unsuitable for it.

In our media, most autistic traits tend to get ignored. That's because, let's face it, stimming and intense interest in academic subjects just aren't as scary, so organizations like Auti$m $peak$ are not going to popularize them. And while stimming can get exploited as a visual symbol of mental vacancy, the real "proof" of inhumanity is lack of speech. The idea of a person existing behind a nonverbal exterior is more than just contrary to expectations, it's actually bad for fundraising. And a person who is stimming who can speak could potentially explain what's going on in their mind, which is even worse for aut$queaks's bottom line.

It's true that qualitative impairments in socialization and forming age-appropriate relationships are an important part of autism, but they have never been limited to a lack of communication.

And lack of communication or impairment of it is not now, and has never been, sufficient for an autism diagnosis. And while many people can learn to compensate, which makes later diagnosis difficult, those people have always been autistic and never stopped being so.

I'm not saying we should base all our hopes for the future on employability. But discarding qualified candidates for a job just because of a diagnostic label is wrong.

 

[unsurewhattoname]

Impairments must be present though, it's a core feature of autism spectrum disorders.

That's from my report, what the psychologist wrote.

 

[Beverly]

Yes but, given the above definition, does that mean that people like who have LEARNED to overcome social impairments, have LERANED to communicate well both verbally and non verbally, and LEARNED to understand those forms of communication and, have LEARNED to use their will power to direct their uncanny focus toward intrests and activities that have lead to a lucrative career are cured? If that's the case, then it's nothing but the right training and right motivation to cure us.

Asperger's is not that simple, especially in adults. I'm proud to count myself among some of the best Daryl Hannah, Dan Aykroyd, Susan Boyle, Travis Meeks, Bob Dylan and, many more. Are we all cured because we excel in interviews, rock the world when we do what we do on that stage, in front of those cameras, because NTs and Aspies alike idolize us, aspire to be like us. Does that mean we are cured? Or does that mean none of us need to be cured, we all just need to learn?

I think it's the later, be told you are disabled, you can't, never will, etc... from a young age and, you'll live up to those low expectations and, the expectations of failure. the moment you let go of that and realize you are an intelligent human being, capable of learning ANYTHING and, capable of doing anything you can learn to do, the world changes for you, you are no longer at it's mercy but, it is at yours. Learn it, do it, be it if that's what you want. Stop waiting for someone else to do it for you, you can learn it and, once you know it, turning that indomitable focus and determination into action is a small step for us.

 

[unsurewhattoname]

Where am I even supposed to start? And I was diagnosed as an adult, so no I haven't been told from a young age.

 

[Terencby]

Some jobs just need people with good communication skills.

... while other jobs require people who can work independently, or can really drill down into a problem, or will bring a unique point of view. etc. etc.

You don't have to be an Aspie to be advantaged/disadvantaged in regards to a career.