Saturday, July 31, 2010
My Inclusion in the Autismo Hub
While Dave & Kathleen Seidel's "Autism Hub" only includes neurodiverse blogs, the Autismo Hub is fair and balanced a la Fox News, and will include any blog no matter the opinion of the Blogger. They will only put up a warning for comment moderation, not "ableism" or "neurobigotry." Looking at StatCounter lately, I have an influx of new readers whom have linked to my blog via the Hub, and I thank them for that. It's good to finally see another good autism website out there, one without biased opinion and with a good deal of honesty ta boot.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Pro Cure Equals Pro Murder?
I know Jonathan Mitchell did a post on this last week, but I feel this is an important topic so I will do one as well. There was this crazy Pakistani woman in Texas who murdered her two autistic children, because she wished they were normal. She clearly had issues in her own right, but nothing excuses murder. However, a neurodiverse blogger named Sarah decided to say that the murder was caused by Autism Speaks and other pro-cure organizations. It seems as if neurodiversity believes that if you support a cure to give your child a better life, you also support murdering your child to give them no life at all. Somehow, that doesn't make sense.
Let me be clear on this. NOTHING justifies murder, and I hope this woman gets the death penalty for her actions. In my book, murder also includes abortion. Some neurodiverse people like Phil Gluyas say that supporting a cure equals supporting an abortion, which is simply not true. If there was a prenatal test for autism that led to an abortion, I would oppose it, on the same grounds that I'd oppose any other abortion. I don't see why I should make an exception to my political views and moral values for autistic people.
I also realize that there are some neurodiverse people who do not share these views, and I applaud them for that. I realize that within an organization (any one), there is a multitude of views and even if the head people happen to be fringe lunatics, there are some who hold saner views and would not automatically blame Autism Speaks for the ruthless murder of two innocent children. I would encourage these people to speak up more, because I know they exist, and speak against the mainstream of neurodiversity, which frankly makes them look bad. There are always different factions within larger ones, and I encourage neurodiverse people to put their other views aside and stop blaming Autism Speaks for a murder, hoping there are at least some of you out there.
Let me be clear on this. NOTHING justifies murder, and I hope this woman gets the death penalty for her actions. In my book, murder also includes abortion. Some neurodiverse people like Phil Gluyas say that supporting a cure equals supporting an abortion, which is simply not true. If there was a prenatal test for autism that led to an abortion, I would oppose it, on the same grounds that I'd oppose any other abortion. I don't see why I should make an exception to my political views and moral values for autistic people.
I also realize that there are some neurodiverse people who do not share these views, and I applaud them for that. I realize that within an organization (any one), there is a multitude of views and even if the head people happen to be fringe lunatics, there are some who hold saner views and would not automatically blame Autism Speaks for the ruthless murder of two innocent children. I would encourage these people to speak up more, because I know they exist, and speak against the mainstream of neurodiversity, which frankly makes them look bad. There are always different factions within larger ones, and I encourage neurodiverse people to put their other views aside and stop blaming Autism Speaks for a murder, hoping there are at least some of you out there.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
My Experiences With Chris Mulligan
Chris Mulligan is a social worker in Los Angeles, California whose father directed To Kill A Mockingbird. He specializes in children, teens, and young adults with autism specrtum disorders. I had the privilege of attending Chris Mulligan's from 2001 to 2004, and I couldn't have been luckier. Along with VGW, Therapy West, and everything else, Chris Mulligan's turned me into the person I am today. I learned social skills cognitively and intellectually as opposed to intuitively, and it worked miracles. It even got to the point where I left VGW for a normal school, although that did not wor very well. Anyway, Chris Mulligan's is a great place to send your autistic child, and you can learn more at www.groupworkswest.com.
The fact that neurodiversity publicly lobbies against social skills groups like Chris Mulligan's is astounding. It's as if they go out of their way to make sure autistic people are marginalized by society and don't get the help they need to be accepted. Opposing a cure is one thing, but opposing any intervention at all is just plain wrong. Many younger NDs hate this, and I believe they are just rebelling against their parents because their parents helped them become at least somewhat normal. Neurodiversity, this is for you. Whether or not there is a cure, there are ways to help autistic people be less autistic, and social skills groups is one of them. I know you feel you have a right to be autistic, but most people don't and they want to fit in, so let them instead of speaking on their behalf. Thank you and God bless.
The fact that neurodiversity publicly lobbies against social skills groups like Chris Mulligan's is astounding. It's as if they go out of their way to make sure autistic people are marginalized by society and don't get the help they need to be accepted. Opposing a cure is one thing, but opposing any intervention at all is just plain wrong. Many younger NDs hate this, and I believe they are just rebelling against their parents because their parents helped them become at least somewhat normal. Neurodiversity, this is for you. Whether or not there is a cure, there are ways to help autistic people be less autistic, and social skills groups is one of them. I know you feel you have a right to be autistic, but most people don't and they want to fit in, so let them instead of speaking on their behalf. Thank you and God bless.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Pulled Into Line?
On the blog Mitchell's Gadfly, Phil Gluyas states that he and Andrew Ackner "pulled me into line." That is not true. I wasn't "pulled into line" by anyone. I have made mistakes in the past (as has everybody), and I try my best to learn from them. What I am working on right now for the most part is self-esteem issues, which admittedly Andrew and Phil have some good points about. As far as I know, low self-esteem is not correlated to autism in any way, which makes it a co-morbid condition. I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome as the age of 6, but most of the symptoms have subsided and many (including me), question whether autism is my problem at all anymore and whether I'm just a virgin because of low self-esteem.
As for Jonathan Mitchell's recent post (about celibacy in autistic people), it couldn't be more true. There are autistic people who have had sex, but they are few and far between. If I could have sex as an autistic person, I would, but that doesn't seem possible right now, and that is why I desire a cure.
As for this Christian Weston Chandler person (whom I also had never heard of before yesterday), he clearly will not lose his virginity with his current attitude or actions, and probably never will because he has already given himself such a bad reputation. Also, he seems more than just autistic, as autism alone would not explain his stalking behaviors. There are a lot of autistic virgins desperate for sex, such as me, Jonathan Mitchell, and Christian Weston Chandler, Jonathan and I both know that committing crimes will get you absolutely nowhere, and the best thing is just to not act autistic. I'm pretty good at acting normal, but I have such low self-esteem that I find it near impossible to ask a girl to have sex. God bless you all, and may the Lord bring you peace and happiness.
As for Jonathan Mitchell's recent post (about celibacy in autistic people), it couldn't be more true. There are autistic people who have had sex, but they are few and far between. If I could have sex as an autistic person, I would, but that doesn't seem possible right now, and that is why I desire a cure.
As for this Christian Weston Chandler person (whom I also had never heard of before yesterday), he clearly will not lose his virginity with his current attitude or actions, and probably never will because he has already given himself such a bad reputation. Also, he seems more than just autistic, as autism alone would not explain his stalking behaviors. There are a lot of autistic virgins desperate for sex, such as me, Jonathan Mitchell, and Christian Weston Chandler, Jonathan and I both know that committing crimes will get you absolutely nowhere, and the best thing is just to not act autistic. I'm pretty good at acting normal, but I have such low self-esteem that I find it near impossible to ask a girl to have sex. God bless you all, and may the Lord bring you peace and happiness.
Friday, July 9, 2010
How To Take Your Autistic Child To A Bruce Springsteen Concert
A Bruce Springsteen concert is as Americana as baseball and apple pie, so everyone, both autistic and normal, should have the right to see one. However, due to sensory aversion in autistic people, this may require special preparation. If you like The Boss, and are considering taking your autistic child to see him, here are some tips.
1. Because they turn the lites off at a Bruce Springsteen concert, your child may have sensory issues. Remind them that this is akin to turning the lites off at night, and no different.
2. If your child has an aversion to loud noise, consider buying foam rubber earplugs before the show. That way, your child can enjoy the music while blocking out the noise.
3. Because Bruce Springsteen cares so much about autistic people, he turns the lites ON for Born to Run, so everyone autistic and normal can enjoy his most famous song. Remind your child that he does this just for them, and tell them to thank The Boss after the show.
Like many social gatherings, there are rules of social ettiquette. While these may be hard for your autistic child, he will eventually get the hang of it.
1. The only appropriate time to say "o o o o o" is during the keyboard solo of Badlands.
2. While it is unacceptable to say "boo" at a Bruce Springsteen concert, it is perfectly fine to say "Bruce." This may confuse your child at first, but just explain to him what is actually being said.
3. Bruce Springsteen doesn't mind when people act autistic in the audience. While flailing your arms in the air would normally be not OK, it is perfectly fine at a Bruce Springsteen concert, even for normal people.
Autistic people tend to suffer from alektorophobia, which is a fear of chickens. Because of the unique sensory issues they have, they may tend to associate certain songs with chickens.
1. Remind your child that the violin solo in Waitin' on a Sunny Day is not a chicken, and that your child is OK.
2. Remind your child that the keyboard intro of Badlands is not a rooster, and that your child is safe and sound.
3. If your child tends to associate any other songs with chickens, such as Working on the Highway, repeat the above steps.
Anyone can enjoy a Bruce Springsteen concert, whether they are autistic or not. Although it may take special preparation, I fully encourage you to take your autistic child to a Bruce Springsteen concert, so they can see a symbol of their culture and feel normal, in a way.
Add on: This is what I feel to be indisputable evidence that Bruce Springsteen turns the lights on during Born to Run solely to help autistic people. When I was in the pit at a Bruce Springsteen concert back in 2007, he pointed to me while he was singing Born to Run. He also made direct eye contact with me, which is proof that he knew I was autistic and had turned the lites on just to help me. He didn't realize that I prefer the lites off, but it's the thought that counts. There is a YouTube video of this event. You can see him make a pointing gesture towards the end of the song, but you cannot see that it is to me as it was shot from further back on the floor. I don't have a link here, but if you search "Bruce Springsteen," "Born to Run," "Sports Arena," "10/29/07," that'll give you the video in which he points to me and proves he turns the lites on during Born to Run just to help autistic people.
1. Because they turn the lites off at a Bruce Springsteen concert, your child may have sensory issues. Remind them that this is akin to turning the lites off at night, and no different.
2. If your child has an aversion to loud noise, consider buying foam rubber earplugs before the show. That way, your child can enjoy the music while blocking out the noise.
3. Because Bruce Springsteen cares so much about autistic people, he turns the lites ON for Born to Run, so everyone autistic and normal can enjoy his most famous song. Remind your child that he does this just for them, and tell them to thank The Boss after the show.
Like many social gatherings, there are rules of social ettiquette. While these may be hard for your autistic child, he will eventually get the hang of it.
1. The only appropriate time to say "o o o o o" is during the keyboard solo of Badlands.
2. While it is unacceptable to say "boo" at a Bruce Springsteen concert, it is perfectly fine to say "Bruce." This may confuse your child at first, but just explain to him what is actually being said.
3. Bruce Springsteen doesn't mind when people act autistic in the audience. While flailing your arms in the air would normally be not OK, it is perfectly fine at a Bruce Springsteen concert, even for normal people.
Autistic people tend to suffer from alektorophobia, which is a fear of chickens. Because of the unique sensory issues they have, they may tend to associate certain songs with chickens.
1. Remind your child that the violin solo in Waitin' on a Sunny Day is not a chicken, and that your child is OK.
2. Remind your child that the keyboard intro of Badlands is not a rooster, and that your child is safe and sound.
3. If your child tends to associate any other songs with chickens, such as Working on the Highway, repeat the above steps.
Anyone can enjoy a Bruce Springsteen concert, whether they are autistic or not. Although it may take special preparation, I fully encourage you to take your autistic child to a Bruce Springsteen concert, so they can see a symbol of their culture and feel normal, in a way.
Add on: This is what I feel to be indisputable evidence that Bruce Springsteen turns the lights on during Born to Run solely to help autistic people. When I was in the pit at a Bruce Springsteen concert back in 2007, he pointed to me while he was singing Born to Run. He also made direct eye contact with me, which is proof that he knew I was autistic and had turned the lites on just to help me. He didn't realize that I prefer the lites off, but it's the thought that counts. There is a YouTube video of this event. You can see him make a pointing gesture towards the end of the song, but you cannot see that it is to me as it was shot from further back on the floor. I don't have a link here, but if you search "Bruce Springsteen," "Born to Run," "Sports Arena," "10/29/07," that'll give you the video in which he points to me and proves he turns the lites on during Born to Run just to help autistic people.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
My Trip To The DMV
Being autistic, it is not easy for me to leave the house, accompanied or otherwise. So last week, I took a huge step forward and bussed it to the Culver City DMV to apply for a California ID Card, which I can use to smoke and get a tattoo. I realize this might seem trivial to some normal people, and even autistic ones as well, but there are some autistic people who are so disabled they could only dream of doing what I did, and we must pray for them. They should be cured so they can live normal productive lives. Even though I have come a long way, I still need to be cured so I can have sex. Autism is a horrendous disease, and even neurodiversity has admitted to that of late, but there are different forms of autism which are equally as bad, albeit in a different way. Please cure autism, so we can be helped.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Neurodiversity Is At It Again
Well, neurodiversity seems to allude the fact that autism is bad, so I'll take them to the cleaners. My first issue is with Catatab Tabimount, who called me a "pathetic little brat clearly failed by his school." CT, VGW did not fail me. I was there, you weren't so butt out. She also said I "wasn't that threatening." I'm not supposed to be threatening CT, so that's GOOD, not bad. Also there is Sarah. While she did not directly attack me, she called Asperger's an "artificial label" and said it should be replaced with autism in the DSM. That is bad for a multitude of reasons. She also accused Tony Attwood of supporting "neurobigotry," when everyone knows that he is so neurodiverse. As for me, I don't know if I'll be blogging much longer, or if I do it'll be with decreased frequency. I might start posting about my life and tie it into autism in some way. Cheers to you all!
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