Skip to main content

Article: Challenging Popular Myths about Autism

I'd like to draw your attention to an article by the amazing Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg.

Challenging popular myths about autism
by Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg
http://www.commonsnews.org/test3/story.php?articleno=694

This appeared in her local paper and is an absolutely brilliant piece of work. I've read quite a few mythbusters articles on autism and aspergers in particular but this one takes the cake.

I had intended to summarise and discuss it here but I really feel that you're better off reading the whole thing and drawing your own conculsions.

Well done Rachel!

Oh, and please visit Rachel's blog - I don't know where she finds the time to do all those updates but I draw a lot of daily inspiration from it; http://www.aspergerjourneys.com

Comments

Marita said…
Thank you so much for posting the link to that article. It is a great read.
Anonymous said…
I have heard many debates on the 'autism cure', and I think anyone that would force an aspie to receive a supposed 'cure' would be very misinformed of the condition. I am just a 9th grader, but if there ever was a cure, I would refuse it in a heartbeat. That is what I have to say about that, but you should be allowed to take it if you want to.
IMTI autism said…
Hi! I agree, the article is really good. May I also recommend an EXCELLENT book that just came out called CHALLENGING THE MYTHS OF AUTISM by Jonathan Alderson (Harper Collins, 2011)
You'll find it is right in synch with Rachel's article but is an entire book including research that debunks the traditional limiting beliefs and negative stereotypes that shackle the autistic population.

Popular posts from this blog

Are Aspies Capable of Love?

Although the answer to this question may seem simple, it recurs with alarming regularity on aspie forums everywhere. Often, it is confused with the aspie's ability to find a partner or the famous aspie empathy problems - these are different things altogether which I'll hopefully discuss in follow-up posts. Emotional Behavior in Aspies Aspies are very capable of loving but they often confuse the issue by adopting an altogether too rigid view of love. Despite popular mis-belief, aspies are generally fairly emotional beings. We have intense feelings of happiness and even more intense feelings of sadness. The smallest triggers can produce huge emotional responses in us. While a bad day at work may make an NT grumpy, it could make an aspie feel suicidal. Similarly, when something good happens an aspie may seem to be over-reacting or overly happy. Most aspie adults have long since learned to control excessive displays of happiness but it's very apparent in aspie children...

What is Stimming and what does it feel like?

According to wikipedia , stimming is; "a jargon term for a particular form of stereotypy, a repetitive body movement (often done unconsciously) that self-stimulates one or more senses in a regulated manner. It is shorthand for self-stimulation, and a stereotypy is referred to as stimming under the hypothesis that it has a function related to sensory input." The wikipedia article then goes on to propose some theories about the function of stimming and how it is designed to provide nervous system arousal. The theory being that it helps autistic people "normalize". I'm not sure how much I believe that theory - I helps us relax and it feels good... but normalize?? Not sure. The most commonly cited form of stimming is body rocking. Such is the prevalence of this form of stimming in Hollywood films concerning autism that you could be forgiven for thinking that autistic people stim by rocking most of the time. How far does stimming go? Stimming is much more than just...

Aspies and Sexuality

A word of warning: This post may cover adult topics - though really nothing "juicy" so it's probably safe. You may want to read it carefully before allowing minors to look at it.   The Myths   In the last week, prompted by some "off the wall" questions, I have been reading a lot of discussions about autistic people (including "aspies") and sexuality. I am amazed at the opinions of otherwise respectable people in the medical profession. I have found a whole bunch of statements including; All autistic people are gay Most autistic people are asexual (derive no pleasure from sex). Autistic people are sex maniacs Preferences Reading a lot further afield and having discussions with other aspies makes it clear to me that aspies come in all sizes shapes and forms. Their preferences vary just as much as neurotypicals. On Page 246 of "Asperger's Syndrome: Intervening in Schools, Clinics, and Communities" By Linda J. Baker, Lawrence A., they...