UNpuzzled about Asperger's Syndrome and the Autistic Spectrum

I Am Unpuzzled! - "Puzzle Piece" graphics are patronizing, insulting.

Autism, Aspergers, PDD, PDDNOS are all conditions that exist on the Autistic Spectrum. All are classed as "disorders" in the DSMIV. That means they represent a billing code - and the world is filled with cures and advocates of cures for the whole range.

Some of us who are unquestionably on the spectrum do not see it as a "disorder" so much as a distinct difference - at least, when it's not in it's extreme forms. This would simply be a matter of opinion, an opportunity for civilized debate if there was any official recognition of the fact that many persons on the spectrum ARE capable of functioning within their comfort zones while still being noticeably, diagnosable distinct.

If you have stumbled across this in a search for autism information, you might wish to trundle on over to autistics.org for the autie point of view, or you can drop by wampi.org for a mother's perspective on successfully raising a "free range aspie," without the "benefit" of most interventions and no aversives at all.

I think of myself as proof of concept as well. My writing is distinctly aspie-style communication - something you may come to recognize as you go from place to place, reading what other aspies and auties have to say about themselves and their lives.

Steal this graphic! It's free for all uses. Or you can find it in my zazzle store.

Different is Not Broken

Want to Cure Autism Now? Stop POKING me and I'll be fine!

As a multiple personality (mid-continuum, poly-fragmented) and as a flaming aspie I have more than one reason to feel different. I don't, however, feel less, worse or disabled by my differences, except to the extent that abuse at the hands of those who felt I should be punished for being, thinking and acting differently required punishments, interventions, corrections, trainings, behavior modifications, or just a good old butt-kicking.

I actually think that my multiplicity came as a response first to the over-stimulation AS can bring and second as a response to the profound abuse I received both at home and in school settings.

Once I left home and could live according to my own nature, I stopped having problems. Oh, this is not to minimise the impact on my life. But all that I truly want - I have been able to get. I'm denied many of the things I'm told I should want by others who claim to know better than I how devistating this "plague" of autism is, but I really don't care. Yes, I have "difficulty making friends." Actually, I have difficulty maintaining superficial aquaintances.

Wetware and what it means to you - and me

Different Does Not Mean Broken - but it can be VERY different!

I have a profoundly different learning curve. But clearly, I do learn. Rather well, in fact. This is part and parcel of my intelligence, which is in the almost-but-not-quite genius range, with occasional flashes of brilliance at unpredictable moments.

Right now, you are probably dismissing me as an arrogant sod who is rudely dismissing the "reality" of autism, in denial of my disablity, utterly self-centered and unable to understand the emotional devestation of persons with autistic children.

You see, we CAN learn! I'm quite a student of human behavior. It's a survival issue for me.

In fact, the above statements are factual. I'm not bragging. I don't really understand the point to bragging, to be honest. Nor do I lie - I understand both process and the point - and understand that the price of getting away with a lie is another lie, and soon one is living in a bad sitcom.

if you are aspie and you know it, flap your hands

What I do lack is something that is called "theory of mind," or as I would put it, I lack the willingness to manipulate others to my advantage. First, because emotional manipulation does not come naturally. Secondly, it's unethical.

I find it amusing that an "undue preoccupation with issues of justice" is a diagnostic criteria for asperger's.

I think that says more about the condition of normalcy than it does about mine.

But the problem of wetware is that it needs a proper education - and not just a normal selection of topics presented in a way congeinal to one's learning style, but topics that the wetware can usefully address.

"Social Skills", for instance, are taught us by people that cannot understand our inherent distain and discomfort for the implications of those skills. Aside from the fact that we will suck at them, of course, there is the problem that if we do not understand why, we won't comply, and if we do understand why you want us to learn to manipulate others emotionally, we will probably revolt.

Unpuzzled Free for Use Graphic

My free for use design on a variety of products.

Ask me why Autism Awareness T-Shirt shirt

Ask me why Autism Awareness T-Shirt by webcarve
More Autism awareness T-Shirts

If you want just one or two, use these stores. If you plan on doing some serious fund raising, steal the graphic and make your OWN stores. I have made the unpuzzled design free for use. Just leave the design unmodified.

If you have come up with your own version an "unpuzzled" graphic, please drop a link to it in the guestbook at the bottom of the page. I may well include it in the body of this lens.

UnPuzzled Autism Awareness Profile Card by webcarve
color business card printing by Zazzle
Browse other Biology Profile Cards

Unpuzzled "Autism Speaks Like This" by webcarve

Unpuzzled Morphing Mug by webcarve

A dash of Autism - Unpuzzled by webcarve

Unpuzzled Purple and Silver Tie by webcarve

Unpuzzled Rainbow by webcarve

VIVA THE ALF! Gurella Counterpropaganda by webcarve

edun LIVE Unpuzzled T-Shirt by webcarve

Celebrate Neurodiversity Monogrammed Mug by webcarve

UnPuzzled Autism Awareness Tie by webcarve

powered by Zazzle.com

Neurodiversity on CafePress

RUDE Unpuzzled

My first response to the puzzle ribbon

To me - and other members of the neurodiversity community - the puzzle ribbon graphic is quite insulting. Aspersgers and Autism are - at the mild end of the spectrum - a different sort of normal. The "disablity" for the vast majority of otherwise functional "aspies" and "auties" is social reaction to our normal selves. Just in order to survive, to hold a job, to deal with people in the course of the day, we have to adapt to other people - while "neurotypical" people think that their being "puzzled" indicates that we have the problem.

Here's a clue. Read up on it. Find out why your approaches do not work for auties and aspies. Stop blaming us for things we cannot control - or at least, should not have to, all things being equal.

UnPuzzled Button

People who wish to find a "cure" for autism use the puzzle piece to indicate that autistic spectrum disorders are a puzzle seeking a solution.