Discussing Politics, Political Correctness, and the 2016 Presidential Elections Among Other Members of NYC’s Autistic Community

The following correspondence originally took place upon the Facebook wall of my friend, Daniel Sv…

2016-11-09-discussing-politics-political-correctness-and-the-2016-presidential-elections-among-other-members-of-nycs-autistic-community

Daniel Sv.: In the aftermath of the election, there have been many aspies who are horrified that there were a segment of aspies who supported Trump. They offer the fact that many of us were bullied and ostracized, so why do we support a supposed up front bully?

To that I answer with one word: GRASP. If you are like me, we met as a community in this group where we exchanged ideas and felt free to interact. During the early years, we had a lot of fun.

Of course, by now you are aware of the change in leadership and the resulting dissensions that occurred. The priority seemed to be less on helping people and enforcing more a PC agenda. More and more, people were ostracized and shamed for not conforming with illogical standards.

Like me, some of you felt hopeless at the politicization of such groups and the inability to be up front and honest. To us, we saw in Trump our protest vote against the increasing PC creeping in.

Being an aspie does not mean having to be politically correct. It means to be free and interacting with like minded people without conforming to a straitjacket standard. It means no politicization of support groups. I am proud to announce that Trump’s election was a repudiation of this.

Brian K.: You can dislike PC without supporting the racist, sexist, moronic, *ableist* piece of shit who still believes the debunked vaccine theory.
Are these people a better alternative to PC?

Voices from Donald Trump Rallies, Uncensored:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/04/us/politics/donald-trump-supporters.html

Jesus G.: the system has been put there long before we were even born. its so difficult for us to comprehend and understand that so we can only control what we are able to control for ourselves. other than that, we will prepare for the unknown. if able

Rayn: I’m not pro-Trump, and chose to Vote Nobody 2016, just like I have for over a decade and a half, now, as a libertarian, and more specifically, a Voluntaryist. But, to add to your post, Daniel, I can say that even the ASAN group in NYC slowly became neo-liberalized, and once their numbers were up, members became very confident in their attempts to ostracize and shame those merely holding different viewpoints than them, even when the viewpoints were of the completely innocent and peaceful variety. Diversity, apparently, refers only to physical appearance, and sexual orientation, to these types, and has NOTHING to do with perspectives, thoughts, and ideas. I’ve never been lectured, condescended to, and had my intelligence questioned so much in my life, than I have among this small group. I refer to them as Aspie Elitists, and many of them were complete cry-bullies, too. I have many examples I could share. (Click Here to Continue Reading This Post)

Kayden Clarke, Who Posted Viral Video of Service Dog Assisting During Autistic Meltdown Shot and Killed by Arizona Police During Wellness Check

The following correspondence originally took place upon my Facebook wall…

Police shooting victim, Kayden Clarke

Police shooting victim, Kayden Clarke

Sara: Unbelievable 🙁

Transgender Man with Asperger’s Syndrome Whose Service Dog Video Went Viral Has Been Killed by Arizona Police:
http://people.com/crime/transgender-man-kayden-clarke-killed-by-police-in-arizona/

Rayn: Sad…

April is Autism Acceptance Month!

I originally posted the following information and commentary onto my Facebook wall…

“Autism Acceptance Month:
Acceptance is an Action.”

April is Autism Acceptance Month! Check out some resources on the topic, from The Autistic Self Advocacy Network!

Resources:
http://www.autismacceptancemonth.com/resources/

Neurodiversity, for the Win!

The following correspondence originally took place here, upon the Facebook page, “Wake the Fuck Up“…

(replies from all third parties have been omitted for clarity)

Wake the Fuck Up:

"Autism: We are not here to fit into your box. We are here to help you realize that there is no box."

“Autism: We are not here to fit into your box. We are here to help you realize that there is no box.”

Rayn: Neurodiversity, for the win!

Debating About Changes to Autistic Spectrum Diagnoses in the New DSM-V

The following debate originally took place on my Facebook wall, upon my post, “Estimates Indicate Redefinition of Autism Within Fifth Edition of DSM Manual Will Significantly Affect Diagnosis Numbers“…

Estimated Changes from DSM-IV to DSM-V

Estimated Changes from DSM-IV to DSM-V

Rayn: According to three separate research estimates, under the proposals of the new DSM V, due out in 2013, up to 75% of those previously diagnosed as having Aspergers Syndrome will no longer qualify as being on the Autistic Spectrum, as well as up to 85% of those with PDD-NOS

Redefining Autism:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/01/20/us/redefining-autism.html

Jessica G.: So much fear mongering. So much. The research was based off of old guidelines, and old articles. The core of autism isn’t being changed at all. I’ve posted lengthy discussions on this already, people need to not worry so much.

Rayn:  whole thing has been COMPLETELY POLITICIZED, through and through. To begin, the Autistic Spectrum doesn’t really belong in the DSM, in the first place! It is a neurological condition, not a mental illness! (I wrote about this in my 2009 blog on the topic).

Second, few are discussing the impact that fully dropping the terms “Asperger’s syndrome” and “PDD-NOS” from medical jargon will have on the autistic community. Many strongly identify with the aforementioned phrases, personally, and among their peers, so they will not want see them go. Much of Autistic cuture is based around them, and large numbers will fight hard to keep them alive. Even more will battle against the next logical step for neurotypical society: ever-increasing popular usage of the degrading, inappropriate eugenicist phrases, “high-functioning” and “low-functioning” to distinguish Autistic individuals from each other. This will result in a large backlash from the Autistic community. Also, if you’ll note, with the new terminology, Asperger’s SYNDROME will now officially become a DISORDER, too – something that will not be embraced by all parties, either! And, of course, the very presence of the new definition within the DSM, much like the old ones it now covers, still implies the ridiculous notion that a “cure” is the always-desired route for a hard-wired neurological condition! Ha!

Finally, with the New York Times article referencing a sharp reduction of “skyrocketing” numbers of autistic diagnoses, this appears to be more about denial of available services than anything else!

Here are the proposed DSM-V changes:
http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=94

There is a tab on that same link for DSM-IV definition for Autistic Disorder, so that you can read it right after. But, it can also be found here, as well:
http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-autism.html

Now, here is the DSM-IV definition of Asperger’s Syndrome:
http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-aspergers.html

DSM-IV PDD-NOS:
http://www.pervasivedevelopmentaldisorders.com/dsm-iv.htm

As far as general symptoms go, you are correct, Jessica. The core definition for the new “Autistic Spectrum Disorder” in the DSM V combines most features of “Autistic Disorder,” “Asperger’s Syndrome,” and “PDD-NOS” in the DSM IV. However, let us not overlook the new and ominous criteria (D), requiring that the new list of “symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning.” This factor will most assuredly effect the rate of diagnosis, by far, which will become fleeting for those individuals who are able to sucessfully manage their Autistic symptom within our neurotypical society! Like I said in the beginning: it’s POLITICS! And, the Autistic community is caught right in the middle, like always! (Click Here to Continue Reading This Post)