This is an excellent commentary by Bill Moyers. With clips from a movie, excellent graphics, and his usual dispassionate appeals to reason, he makes his case a convincing one. It’s only 5 minutes long, and well worth a watch! If you’re interested in learning more, you could do no better than to read Seth Mnookin‘s …
Category: Autism
Jan 31
Statement on DSM-5 by ASAN and ASA
Joint ASAN-Autism Society Statement on DSM-5 Dear Friend, As two national organizations committed to working to empower the autism and Autistic communities today and into the future, the Autism Society of America and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network issue the following joint statement regarding the definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder within the DSM-5: The autism spectrum is broad and diverse, including individuals with …
Jan 20
Is It Time to Abandon the DSM?
Is It Time to Abandon the DSM? Controversy Over Autism May Present an Opportunity January 20, 2012 ©2012 Michael Forbes Wilcox “…disability is a natural part of the human experience…” From The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (originally passed in 1990, and commonly referred to as “The DD Act”) The …
Dec 24
Lost That Lovin’ Feeling?
Another great cartoon from The New Yorker. It reminds me of people in the couples support groups I co-lead. This might describe some of the people whose partners are Aspergerian! The good news is that those partners are perhaps not as bird-brained as this cartoon character, and can come to realize the impact they …
Nov 24
The illusion of multi-tasking
The following is a discussion that took place on Facebook, and I thought I’d reproduce (an edited version of) it here to preserve the record and also to allow my blog followers to add comments if they wish. Charles: Can relate to this. Linda: Lmao so can I John: you can be both sir …
Nov 19
I am autisitc. Why do you think I am so different?
I am autistic. Hath not an autistic eyes? hath not an autistic hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a neurotypical is? If you prick us, …
Nov 14
Some thoughts on pets
A friend who is the mother of a young autistic boy has posted a picture of her son meeting the family’s new pet, a golden retriever puppy. She writes that her son “demonstrates the appropriate way to greet a new pet: by smelling it, of course.” My response was; I’ve always enjoyed the smells of …
Nov 13
On Perfectionism
Regular readers of my blog (and I know I have at least 2 or 3 — or so they claim!) will know that I have obsessed lately with my speculation that Steve Jobs was autistic. Every community likes to have its heroes, and I’d like to claim Jobs as one of ours. Whether or not …
Nov 12
The Challenges of “Executive Function”
Update on November 14: Yesterday, I finished bringing Quicken up to date through July. Only 3 more statements to go before I actually know how much money I have on hand! AND I finished a painting project! What is going on here? Am I growing an Executive Function? Ω ———- So proud of myself today! …
Nov 06
Terrific Boston Globe op-ed on Autism
Today’s Globe features a column that is a wonderful explanation of the recent work of Dr. Laurent Mottron at the University of Montreal (which, thankfully, has gotten a lot of press in recent days; e.g. see this mention in Science Daily of November 2). The Globe columnist, Gareth Cook, writes to tell us “The truth about …