Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

An example of how my brain works when I am alone. And yes, there is a difference in how my brain operates from when I am alone to when there are people around me. No animals do not count. Well petting my cat may relieve some stress allowing for more "brain flow".

Is a glass half full or empty?

Depends on the relation of the question. It is an open question with many possible answers. Only through experience do I know that the question is to judge ones out look on life.

This is how my brain would process the question:

Was is the context? Was the glass filled or emptied? It it was filled then it is half full. If it was emptied it is half empty. Is it a question of measurement? Since measurement is infinite then a true half can never be determined unless a range of predetermined measurement is specified.

This is a tiny example...

So, to one on the "spectrum" every question is a loaded question. The more literal and specific you can be the better.

Autism, To Be or Not To Be, a Disease

The following was an "argument" paper I wrote for English 101 almost 2 years ago. I know it still needs work and my ideas may or may not have changed a bit since then but here it is anyway:

Autism, To Be or Not To Be, a Disease

  There is a controversial debate that has has seriously missed the mark. That debate is whether the “rise” of autism is an epidemic or just a growing awareness in what was already here. The first party argues that it is an epidemic and it is being caused by something like mercury in popular vaccines. They say that the increase in autism being due to better diagnoses and awareness is a “big lie”. Popular belief is that the Pharmaceutical companies and government agencies responsible for these vaccines are just trying to cover their ass (McElroy). The other side claims that it is due to better diagnoses. When a diagnoses expands its definition more people fall under it. Many who where diagnosed as mentally retarded are now re-diagnosed as autistic. Because of the wide spectrum range of autism more people fall into its category, from low functioning autism to high functioning Asperger's Syndrome. They claim the other party is just frustrated and angry and just looking to point their finger at someone to blame (Lawrence). They are both right and they are both wrong. The autism problem is being misunderstood and should be re-evaluated.


  In order to understand this, first the definitions and labels of the autism spectrum need to be re-evaluated. I am classed as having Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning spectrum of autism. There was a time I accepted this but no longer. I am not autistic. A popular term for “normal” people not “autistic” is Neural Typical. I, am Neural Sensitive. Neural sensitivity comes with its ups and downs but I am not disabled. I have no disorder. Just because I think differently, I process information differently, and I do not socialize like a “normal” person does not make me mentally handicapped. Men cannot get pregnant, do we class them as disabled? That would be absurd.


  Neural Sensitives are nothing new. They have been around since civilization began. They engineered the pyramids, the stone henge, etc. They are your Beethovens, Mozarts, Telsas, and Einsteins. They are those extra sensitive to music, colors, noises, mathematics, mechanics and so forth. Their sensitivities teeter between both bad and good, giving them the aura of oddness. They are the breaking edge of the human brains capabilities.


  So what is autism then? Autism is when something goes wrong in the developmental stages of a neurally sensitive mind. Most probably caused chemically, e.g., vaccines. So a neural sensitive child is affected chemically by something in their environment that causes damage to their delicate development and the outcome is what we call autism (Blachford).


  So how do we know that it starts in the genes and then is altered chemically later? Studies have shown that in identical twins, both are most always either autistic nor not, while fraternal twins most always only one is affected. One statement claims if two autistic parents have a child, that child will most often be autistic as well. This tells us it is genetic. Occasionally in identical twins one will be affected and the other not. We know that it is genetic and for one to be affected and the other not it tells us the one was affected chemically (McElroy).


  So it needs to be understood that Neural Sensitives, i.e. Aspergers, have always been here but autism is separate and is becoming an epidemic. All future generations of human genius will become mentally handicapped and any advancement of our race will come to a halt. “Normal” people are too busy with friends, family, careers, etc. to be bothered by complex mathematical equations and the like, we need our “human calculators”. There is nothing wrong with being Neural Typical, they are who keep us human and our Neural Sensitives keep us ever advancing as sentient beings. Neural Typicals need to step back and stop arguing and Neural Sensitives need to be in the front evaluating this epidemic as it affects them directly and they know more of how their brain works than anyone.







"Autism." The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders. Ed. Stacey L. Blachford. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.


Frey, Rebecca J., and Kathleen A. Fergus. "Asperger Syndrome." The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders. Ed. Brigham Narins. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2005. 113-116. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.


Dachel, Anne McElroy. "Autism Is a Serious Public Health Crisis." Behavioral Disorders. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "The Really Big Lie About Autism." YubaNet.com. 2006. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.





Scahill, Lawrence. "Autism Is Not an Epidemic." Pediatric News Apr. 2008: 24. Rpt. in Behavioral Disorders. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.

AQ Test @ Wired

Took the AQ test at Wired.com.  Scored a 37.

I do believe if I had done the test when I was much younger it would have been much higher. Many of the traits I have "broke" or continue to fight against in order to "fix" myself. This was before I knew anything about Asperger's.

In comment on "collecting/categorizing information", here is a small list of examples (basically I saw my life flash before my eyes):

Ants
Precious stones (not metals, just stones)
Star Wars facts and fiction
Comic book heroes
Creating my own secret codes
Drawing complete new levels and chars to the Super Mario games (I stand by the fact that my Mario games would have been far better than the ones that proceeded Mario 3)
Drawing out many new original games, console based.
Created a pictograph/hieroglyphic style of short hand for when taking notes in physics/chemistry/biology classes

Other than what is still in my head, all the above information was trashed as my interests changed.

Positive Traits of Asperger's Syndrome

This was emailed to me by a friend and I was compelled to post it here.
I hope it means as much to you as it did to me.



Positive Traits of Asperger's Syndrome

Many of those with Asperger's syndrome have a number of positive characteristics, including integrity, intelligence, endurance, and freedom from prejudice.

Also known as “autism lite” or a “shadow syndrome” of autism, Asperger’s syndrome is an autistic spectrum disorder that affects approximately 1 out of every 200 people.

Those with Asperger’s, or “Aspies” (a term coined by Liane Holliday Willey in Pretending to Be Normal) are high-functioning in the sense that they are better able to maintain social relationships than those with autism. Unlike those with autism, Aspies often score highly on measures of verbal intelligence.

When contemplating disorders such as Asperger’s syndrome, there is a tendency to focus on negative aspects, such as difficulty in reading social cues. But many of those with Asperger’s syndrome have positive traits as well, which has led some people to question whether it should be viewed as a difference rather than a disorder.

Trustworthy and Reliable

Most people with Asperger’s are dependable and loyal. They don’t play games or force others to live up to demanding social expectations. Aspies have no hidden agendas and no interest in harming others or taking advantage of their weaknesses. They are not inclined to lie to, steal from, or attack the reputations of those around them. Aspies are not likely to be bullies, con artists, or social manipulators, and girls with Asperger’s syndrome  are less inclined to be fickle or bitchy than their neurotypical counterparts. While some people with Asperger's may lash out when provoked, they are unlikely to launch unprovoked attacks, verbal or otherwise.

Aspies like to spend time alone and are perfectly capable of entertaining themselves. While most like to have friends, their need for social contact is not usually as strong as that of ordinary people. Because they are not motivated by an intense social drive to spend time with anybody who happens to be available, they can be selective, choosing honest, genuine, dependable people who share their interests.

Free of Prejudice

Aspies are very accepting of the quirks and idiosyncrasies of others. Most don’t discriminate against anyone based on race, gender, age, or any other surface criteria, but instead judge people based on their behaviour. They don't usually recognize hierarchies, and so are unlikely to accord someone superior status simply because that person is wealthy or has attained a high position in an organization.

Those with Asperger’s can listen to people’s problems and provide a fresh perspective, offering pure assessments based on the the information provided, untainted by the judgments that people often make regarding one another's social position or social skills. Others can relax and be themselves around an Aspie without fearing social censure.

High Integrity

Aspies will not go along with the crowd if they know that something is wrong. Most stick to their positions, even in the face of intense social pressure, and their values aren't shaped by financial, social, or political influences.

Most Aspies have a good work ethic and pay attention to detail. Conscientious, reliable, and honest, many Aspies make very good employees if able to control their pace and work within either a solitary or socially supportive environment. Aspies are persistent, and when they set their minds to something or make a promise, they can usually be trusted to follow through.

Intelligent and Talented

Those with Asperger’s syndrome often have above-average intelligence, and many have one or more highly developed talents. They are more likely than those of the general population to pursue a university education, and because many are drawn to technology, they tend to become proficient in the technological media required for lucrative employment in the Information Age.

Enthusiasm and a propensity for obsessive research ensure that Aspies develop a broad and deep base of knowledge in subjects of interest. They loathe small talk and trivialities, preferring instead to talk about significant things that will enhance their knowledge base.

Because they have exceptional memories, those with Asperger’s can bring up a variety of interesting facts (though some of these facts will only be interesting to the Aspies themselves), as well as recalling fine details that others miss. They also bring a highly original perspective to problem solving, and their acute sensitivity may support creative talents as well.

Extreme Endurance

Some of those with Asperger’s syndrome have great endurance when engaging in activities they like, which may translate into a talent for certain athletic pursuits, despite an inclination to be clumsy. Some Aspies have talents for swimming, rowing, running, bodybuilding, or other activities that require sustained physical effort. They tend to prefer individual sports to team sports, as there are no social demands and they can exercise complete control over the activity.

Those who develop an interest in sport or fitness are likely to work at it every day, often for long periods of time. This tendency to adhere unvaryingly to routines enables Aspies who have fitness interests to stay fit and healthy, manifesting an exercise ethic that ordinary people can only match with a heroic exertion of will power.

Further Reading

This article provides a brief, generalized overview of common positive traits, but there are significant variations among those with Asperger's syndrome, and not all Aspies will have all of these traits. Those seeking more in-depth information about Asperger's may wish to visit the Online Aspergers Information and Support (OASIS) website's resource list .

Read more at Suite101: Positive Traits of Asperger's Syndrome: Beneficial Characteristics Associated with “Autism Lite”