Research is showing that Autism is in the genes - and that engineers and the like are most likely to have a child on the spectrum.
So the question is - why does there seem to be more auties/aspies now than before? The guesses from curbies have thus far been pointing at something in the environment... while some aspies here have suggested the human race is simply mutating or evolving.
I'd like to offer a social suggestion - the elimination of arranged marriages where NT's and folks on the spectrum were forced to form marital bonds and bare children.
As we are discovering in social gatherings from playgrounds to hook up bars to church singles get togethers, most NT's, when left on their own, simply don't have patience to enter into a relationship with someone on the spectrum. They prefer their own fast paced constant talking game playing to our slow, intense, obsessive authenticity.
What this means is that it is more likely for an NT to marry and have relationships with an NT and an Aspie/autie to end up with someone else on the spectrum.
Since personality and social traits are not simple on/off switches but a whole variety of variables, these same type hook ups will produce children with genes like the parents, often times concentrating the traits to produce even more drastic personality types.
I don't know the exact time frame when arranged marriages were replaced for marrying for love, but my guess is that it was at the turn of the century and it has been increasing in frequency ever since. Since it would take a few generations to create a significant rise in concentrated personality type offspring from similar type marriages, the timing for the 'epidemic' of autism seems just about right.
That's my theory anyway... thoughts?
Arranged marriages were usually negotiated by brokers who did a good study of characters. Sometimes the match was only made for financial or social reasons but if a broker wanted to claim success at harmonious matches they would to find complementary temperaments and traits, interests. Some people can make judgements on others temperaments and character rather quickly.
I don't believe that I so great at judging people's characters. Are aspies not good at that? Maybe they really don't know what they want in a mate or they do but have trouble finding out what a person is really like. Most people can make up a list of what they want in a mate but might not know what they are really compatible with.
Match maker should not be a lost art.
Has anyone tried psychological matchmakers? They ones that use psychological profiles and questionnaires. I know that they are rather expensive. I was going to try that route when I met my husband.
Bars and pickup joints are really only successful for people to get casual sex (well, for some NT's and not aspies so much). They rely too much on body language and image rather than conversation to get to know someone. Who can talk with all the noise?
7 o' clock, I say Autism, AS etc is more prevalent now because it wasn't diagnosed as much back then. They probably didn't even know much about AS in the 20's or 30's, so it couldn't of boomed as much as it is now. As more and more people are finding out about the spectrum, and discovering that they too fit in with it, more and more people are being diagnosed, unlike in the past.
Oh, I agree with this as well - I have long thought that it's because society isn't as flexible with neurodiversity that those on the spectrum have less of a personality difference and more of a 'disability'.
But this theory could work as another contribution to the increase in numbers.
As we are discovering in social gatherings from playgrounds to hook up bars to church singles get togethers, most NT's, when left on their own, simply don't have patience to enter into a relationship with someone on the spectrum. They prefer their own fast paced constant talking game playing to our slow, intense, obsessive authenticity.
I like the theory put forth, but here's a correction for you:
Aspies aren't slow, and never have been.
that's the one guess who! Thanks!
I re-read it just now... wow, that is old in modern times. But I was thinking about when I first read it (sitting around in my college library, 6 or so years ago) and I thought that there were some striking similarities between me and the boy, Nick. But they always make it seem so dark and sinister... like the nacirema article. (
http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~thompsoc/Body.html) Until you know what all that really means, it sounds so scary.
What makes you think you're so similar to the Math genius in question?
As we are discovering in social gatherings from playgrounds to hook up bars to church singles get togethers, most NT's, when left on their own, simply don't have patience to enter into a relationship with someone on the spectrum. They prefer their own fast paced constant talking game playing to our slow, intense, obsessive authenticity.
I like the theory put forth, but here's a correction for you:
Aspies aren't slow, and never have been.
Have to disagree with you here, Aspies are not as quick at interpersonal social interaction processing as NT's. Aspie response time is generally slower and more intentional...
Perhaps you read a different definition of the word, 'slow'?
Interpersonal social interaction processing, slower, yes I'll agree.
In other cognitive tasks, however, a lot of us go at a superior rate of speed.
Agreed. 
The notion of Aspies marrying Aspies raises the issue of Aspie sub-communities.
In cultures that practice caste divisions, Dhimmi status for specific groups etc, this suggests the possibility of differing treatment in a legal and economic sense for those Aspie sub-groups.
Enslavement of Aspies, anyone? I think it's already happened many times in the past.
In many cultures, those with classic "Aspie" type interests and skills, i.e., engineering, invention, detailed clerical and financial work etc. have both had their skills exploited and been kicked around by the larger cultures in which they lived.
The "NT" dominant culture around them have been happy to benefit from the skills and knowledge of their "Aspie" types, while at the same time abusing and harassing, even robbing and murdering them at will.
Sometimes, the (arguably) "Aspie" cultural types have fled such a place altogether,with the result that that place may then becomes rather more impoverished and backward than it was. The bullies have caught onto that, and in some cases took measures to prevent them leaving. The USSR abusing its Jews while impeding their emigration is one example. European princes hobbling or blinding highly skilled artisans to prevent them leaving, or duplicating past works for others, is another.
To me, this is pretty much the same situation as schools where the "smart kids" are frequently beaten up and harassed, and get their lunch money stolen, yet are forced to help those same bullies with their math homework.
I prefer a way of life where such bullying is not tolerated, and the oppressed (whoever they are) are empowered to speak openly about being oppressed, can walk away from bullies, and are not obligated to hand over their time, energy and wealth to them.
Fair treatment of Aspies by NTs, I say!
Cultures with strong traditions of engineering, mathematics, technology, finance etc. are, IMO, cultures that have successfully harnessed the talents of their Aspie-type members. Those are areas where Aspies traditionally excel.
I've given one recent historical example of oppression of a culture that is strong in these tendencies. Ethnic Chinese in non-Chinese Asian countries have had some similar experiences.
And I'm sure we're all familiar with the notion of smart kids being beaten up for their lunch money while being forced to help the bullies. Surely it's not much of a leap to make the connection with larger cultural trends, past and present, in various parts of the world?
And as far as Aspies being "oppressed" by NTs in the workplace... well, surely this and similar boards contain hundreds of examples of what is felt to be such mistreatment?
Is there published data? Anecdotal reports are fine for us armchair social scientists but the professionals need statistics.
Ummm.... are you asking me to produce documentation of, for instance, pogroms against the Jews in Europe and the Middle East?
Or Stalin's (and others') purges of engineers, scientists and artists (to the arguable detriment of his country) ?
I'm sure that's not what you meant to say, but the thought crossed my mind...
I also asked a question, vits3k, and was hoping you would answer it.
Not every Aspie has the same talents/obsessions. But if you believe Drs. Asperger and Baron-Cohen, that's the tendency.
I also asked a question, vits3k, and was hoping you would answer it.
Not every Aspie has the same talents/obsessions. But if you believe Drs. Asperger and Baron-Cohen, that's the tendency.
A tendency is not the same as a concrete fact.
It's often hard to prove because the bosses are cunning.
Emmy, she may be a workplace psychopath.
Yes, they cover their tracks very carefully.