Hi all.
Following on from Matt Z's excellent rec-listed diary from this morning, taking apart the ridiculous claim that Romney has Asperger syndrome, I've created a Kos group for those of us who are actually on the spectrum or who support those who are. Neurodiversity is welcome. Cure advocacy is absolutely not welcome.
If you fit any of these criteria, send me a PM and I'll send you a group invite:
You have a diagnosis of autism, Asperger's disorder, or PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified) hereinafter collectively called "AS";
You have a friend or family member with the above diagnosis and you support our existence in the world as we are; and/or
You are interested in neurodiversity issues and you are willing to support us, not the idea that we can be cured or changed.
Cure advocates, stay away.
About me:
I was diagnosed when I went back to college at 31, ten years ago. I have classic Asperger's Syndrome. I don't "get" most social cues. I've done a lot of work to understand how to "act normal" in the last ten years, but it's still difficult and sometimes impossible.
I can't remember faces and I don't understand tone or body language. They just don't make sense. They're not on my radar.
When I see people like Mittens labeled "Asperger," it makes me feel like the real AS folks in this world will never be understood.
I'm a member of several neurodiversity groups outside of Kos, most notably ASAN - the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network.
I'll have more to say, but I have a job interview I need to do a little more prepping for, so I'll just open this up to comments and requests for membership, and I'll be back tonight.