INSIDE PERSPECTIVES of AS & Neuro-diversity

 

 

 

AS CHARACTERISTICS

 

   Aspies and others on the Neuro-Diversity Spectrum are as individual as the rest of the population and can have the most varying characteristics when it comes to body type, neurology, temperament, abilities, difficulties, interests, values etc. Painting a uniform picture is therefore rather impossible; all one can do is mention characteristics that one can have or which been found relatively common, even if there may be many exceptions.

 

   The DSM-IV definitions of ASD need not be replicated here. I believe there is a growing consensus that these definitions are too narrow, stereotyped, gender biased and negatively slanted to be relied upon as a complete definition. Hopefully, the next edition will include more nuanced definitions, including the many sensory issues which are incredibly common but not even mentioned in the current edition.

 

   A more positively slanted list was created by autism expert Tony Attwood & Carol Grey:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attwood & Grey’s

Characteristics of an Aspie:

 

 

  A. A qualitative advantage in social interaction, as manifested by a majority of the following:

·  Peer relationships characterized by absolute loyalty and impeccable dependability.

·  Free of sexist, ‘age-ist,’ or culturalist biases; ability to regard others at ‘face value.’

·  Speaking one’s mind irrespective of social context or adherence to personal beliefs.

·  Ability to pursue personal theory or perspective despite conflicting evidence.

·  Seeking an audience or friends capable of: enthusiasm for unique interests and topics; listening without continual judgement or assumption.

·  Interested primarily in significant contributions to conversation; preferring to avoid ‘ritualistic small talk’ or socially trivial statements and superficial conversation.

·  Seeking sincere, positive, genuine friends with an unassuming sense of humour.

   B. Fluent in ‘Aspergerese.’ a social language characterized by at least three of the following:

·  A determination to seek the truth.

·  Conversation free of hidden meaning or agenda.

·  Advanced vocabulary and interest in words.

·  Fascination with word-based humour, such as puns.

·  Advanced use of pictorial metaphor.

  C. Cognitive skills characterized by at least four of the following:

·  Strong preference for detail over gestalt.

·  Original, often unique perspective in problem solving.

·  Exceptional memory and/or recall of details often forgotten or disregarded by others, for example: names, dates, schedules, routines.

·  Avid perseverance in gathering and cataloguing information on a topic of interest.

·  Persistence of thought.

·  Encyclopaedic or ‘CD ROM’ knowledge of one or more topics.

·  Knowledge of routines and a focused desire to maintain order and accuracy.

·  Clarity of values/decision making unaltered by political or financial factors.