The evolutionary basis for autism? A new SciShow video

[Neonatal RRT]

Why neurodiversity...and autism... helps the survival of the species.

 

[Outdated]

I was unable to watch the whole video, she speaks way too fast in a funny accent and the high pitched voice doesn't help either. I did however pick up on something she said at the very beginning of the video - that Autism is not a new phenomena created by a modern environment. Is that what people believe in your country? That autism is caused my microplastics in the diet or by vaccines?

Anecdotal evidence only - no official study has taken place but it's widely accepted in Australia that Autism is twice as present in our indigenous populations as it is in the wider community. It's not something strange and new to them but is something they have lived with and worked with for tens of thousands of years. They are quite used to dealing with many other forms of neurodivergence as well including gender issues and have a level of acceptance in their societies not seen in the western world.

Sistergirls are doing it for themselves: a yarn with Crystal Love

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Knew she was one of us, as soon as video started. i speak fast so no issue nothing wrong with accent, would fir in here in Canada. Some other cultures are known to accept differences.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I was unable to watch the whole video, she speaks way too fast in a funny accent and the high pitched voice doesn't help either.

I didn't notice. Spoke pretty "normal" to me. Of course, by some standards, we here in the northern states do speak much quicker than those in the southern states... and two... I work with the public... in a hospital with a very diverse staff from all over the world... and I'm autistic... so I tend to listen to WHAT was said as opposed to HOW it was said.

I did however pick up on something she said at the very beginning of the video - that Autism is not a new phenomena created by a modern environment.

That is something that I have come to agree with, as well. Most of the research in this area would also agree.

Is that what people believe in your country? That autism is caused my microplastics in the diet or by vaccines?

Well, we have a lot of stupid people in our country that believe in all sorts of things... I don't pay much attention to stupid people, what they think, or what they say anymore. As soon as stupid people start talking... and they do love to talk... they are so certain in their beliefs that they "out themselves" as a stupid person. Then I just turn off my "listening" switch, smile, and politely walk away.

Anecdotal evidence only - no official study has taken place but it's widely accepted in Australia that Autism is twice as present in our indigenous populations as it is in the wider community. It's not something strange and new to them but is something they have lived with and worked with for tens of thousands of years. They are quite used to dealing with many other forms of neurodivergence as well including gender issues and have a level of acceptance in their societies not seen in the western world.

Sistergirls are doing it for themselves: a yarn with Crystal Love

Interesting. I suppose... just speculating here... that living out in the bush they way they have through the millennia requires a certain skillset and way of thinking that allows them to be successful. Perhaps the autistic mind is better adapted... from an evolutionary perspective.

 

[Outdated]

I didn't notice. Spoke pretty "normal" to me. Of course, by some standards, we here in the northern states do speak much quicker than those in the southern states... and two... I work with the public... in a hospital with a very diverse staff from all over the world... and I'm autistic... so I tend to listen to WHAT was said as opposed to HOW it was said.

Audio Processing Disorder - I have a lot of trouble understanding voices in media formats at the best of times. Face to face it's an entirely different matter. I can't use the drive through section of fast food places because if I can't see their faces I can't understand a word they're saying.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Audio Processing Disorder - I have a lot of trouble understanding voices in media formats at the best of times. Face to face it's an entirely different matter. I can't use the drive through section of fast food places because if I can't see their faces I can't understand a word they're saying.

Makes sense... you've spoken on this phenomenon before. I generally run into this issue while on the phone at work... I often have to have people repeat themselves. Many do not have the patience with me with regards to this.

I don't know if it is "just the phone" or if it has more to do with the the phone call, itself... at work, it usually has to deal with someone who is anxious, speaking quickly, and expecting me to respond with a decision and action instantaneously. Welcome to the hospital, where it does matter... but if I am already working on an issue, I can't just drop what I am doing... then MY anxiety flares up and my audio processing and executive functioning is compromised.

 

[JayLapointe]

Why neurodiversity...and autism... helps the survival of the species.

That was interesting. And I truly appreciate that this person through the youtube posting does link to all the research they used. Reminds me of my own thinking on autism's place in advancing the species.

The way I always kind of thought of it, and this is an unsourced idea, pure speculation. Is that autistic/neurodivergent folks are the ones responsible for most of invention in the species. But it was the neurotypical counterparts that were able to then take that invention and share it to the broader group(s) at large. Like one day early autist broke a rock by accident getting a great sharp edge and thought, maybe with some direction it could be done with purpose. Then with that focus on a project he just wacked stones in the corner like some oddball till finally he could just make a stone dagger at will. Knowing the differences between types of rock that worked best, angles of attack in chipping, probably some accidents but focused. His more sociable stoneage friend then showed the rest of the group the stone dagger was better than the random rock. Through the ages the neurodivergent have just looked at things differently and come up with new and better ways of doing things that might have seemed strange at first but then took off. I get that's highly simplified and perhaps a touch romanticized but that's my theory on it.

 

[JayLapointe]

I was unable to watch the whole video, she speaks way too fast in a funny accent and the high pitched voice doesn't help either.

I found that I had to slow it down to 80% and then it felt like they were talking at a normal speed I could process.

 

[Outdated]

I don't know if it is "just the phone" or if it has more to do with the the phone call, itself... at work, it usually has to deal with someone who is anxious, speaking quickly, and expecting me to respond with a decision and action instantaneously.

I've hated phones ever since I was little because of this. Something I discovered in recent years though is that I have a lot less trouble hearing voice calls over apps like Whatsapp. The sound is at a much higher bit rate (better quality) than a regular phone connection.