That sort of sucks. First for encouraging self-diagnosis for everyone who feels awkward in social situations, has obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and is overly sensitive. Those three symptoms do not, in themselves, make an Aspie
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#1 is definitely not true in my experience. Because of my auditory processing issues, the only way I'm usually able to make out a conversation at a crowded party is to take it entirely outside of the crowded, noisy environment. My true friends do understand (and have similar troubles themselves). Most random acquaintances don't, and wonder why I can't just converse in the crowded environment like everyone else. -_-;;
I do not like that "how to" either. I don't like anything about it in fact, except for the idea of being honest about ASD at work (however, I disagree strongly with the idea that it's good for people to get psychotherapy for ASD, especially as ASD is not a psychiatric issue). I don't like the idea of having to keep "weirdness in check" and I especially hate "tip" number 4.
I like strategies that enable a person to be themselves, even if that is "weird".
I started typing something about psychotherapy perhaps being being good for psych issues that happen because of bullying or other things that are actual psych issues, but then deleted it for some reason... so, yeah, agreed. Therapy can be effective for some people for appropriate types of problems and with a good therapist. The article just makes it sound like psychotherapy / therapy is the "the treatment" for ASD.
I've heard it explained that the rich can get away with quirks being called "eccentricities" and the poor are just "crazy". That has been true in my experience more often than not... which is unfortunate. Therefore, people who are well-known names in science and technology, who have $$$ coming in from their knowledge, are going to be regarded more positively than Average Joe on the Spectrum who's having employment issues. That's the sad end of the stick, even if I believe every Aspergian has potential to be great given the right resources. :)
The article got a WTF reaction from me too, those suggestions wouldn't help me, and self-diagnosis, especially if you are in that much need of accommodations/understanding from others is not ideal. The eye contact issue I have a similar problem like you have. The farther away I am standing though, the easier it is to fake- by looking at their nose or forehead/hairline. Public speaking I'm much better at as a result, than one on one interviews in a small office.
I do think therapy can be good *IF* its affordable/covered for you and *IF* the therapist has understanding of, or is open to learning about autism/aspergers. Not to have it 'cured' but to help think of coping strategies, have someone to rehearse with if you need to prepare for a presentation or interview etc, deal with related depression if that's an issue, etc.
I don't agree with most of this. I don't go to noisy parties but I do ask for clarification (usually) when needed.
Number 4...no, no way, whoever wrote that has NO CLUE what it's like for me to do that. Looking at noses, fine, if I have to. The people I know well let me look wherever I need to (usually at my hands, their mouth (crowded places..I lip read), or off to the side of their head.
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I like strategies that enable a person to be themselves, even if that is "weird".
Two thumbs down from me too!
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I started typing something about psychotherapy perhaps being being good for psych issues that happen because of bullying or other things that are actual psych issues, but then deleted it for some reason... so, yeah, agreed. Therapy can be effective for some people for appropriate types of problems and with a good therapist. The article just makes it sound like psychotherapy / therapy is the "the treatment" for ASD.
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I've heard it explained that the rich can get away with quirks being called "eccentricities" and the poor are just "crazy". That has been true in my experience more often than not... which is unfortunate. Therefore, people who are well-known names in science and technology, who have $$$ coming in from their knowledge, are going to be regarded more positively than Average Joe on the Spectrum who's having employment issues. That's the sad end of the stick, even if I believe every Aspergian has potential to be great given the right resources. :)
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I do think therapy can be good *IF* its affordable/covered for you and *IF* the therapist has understanding of, or is open to learning about autism/aspergers. Not to have it 'cured' but to help think of coping strategies, have someone to rehearse with if you need to prepare for a presentation or interview etc, deal with related depression if that's an issue, etc.
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Number 4...no, no way, whoever wrote that has NO CLUE what it's like for me to do that. Looking at noses, fine, if I have to. The people I know well let me look wherever I need to (usually at my hands, their mouth (crowded places..I lip read), or off to the side of their head.
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