Maybe the reason Heather is able to "push herself all the way out" is that she's not Aspie. It seems she's using claiming to have Asperger's Syndrome to play on the victim nature of it.
Come on, do you know anyone with Asperger's Syndrome who would subject themselves to a show like Top Model? Has it occured to anyone she might be just trying to get an edge on the other models, by targeting a disenfranchised group of people who are desperate to see they're approved of?
It's easy to mimick a lack of eye contact and not understanding things, if you're an actor/actress. It's also easy to cry on the phone, claiming to be upset when it's obvious one subjected themselves willingly to the nature that they are upset over.
She didn't have to go on Top Model, I would've had more respect frankly if she didn't. At least then I can say, ok she's acting like a real Aspie. She's just using the nature of Asperger's Syndrome, to build herself up as a victim on the show. If it wasn't Asperger's Syndrome, it would be something else.
To set the record straight:-This was Fruitcake quoting an earlier post of yours ( the quote didn't appear as a quote which I'm sure was the intention), you have re-quoted your own post to look as though Fruitcake said this.
I do not think it would be that easy to act asperger's and certainly not for the length of time that Heather was in there, what do you have a problem with aspie women? I see hear a brilliant role model for women like myself and you dis it? Do we not want NT to have more of a realistic idea of what ASD's are especially high Functioning to get away from the stereotypes, I know for myself when I found out I was different because I have HFA I found it hard to find many female perceptives of HFA/Asperger's. I really think you should think before you post your comments have upset me and I am sure that if Heather read them what would she think from such a discussion within the autistic community.
I am a Aspie woman. I also don't think being a model is what I would call a brilliant role model. If she appears on here, or any other forum, she shouldn't be so surprised that she might have to explain herself.
She is choosing to behave in a way that is considered not typical for people who have Asperger's Syndrome. If she's strong enough to do that, then she's strong enough to get a re-diagnoses before talking about flights of fancy, like being a representative for people with Asperger's Syndrome.
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Oh geez---with all the discussion here regarding the legitimacy of the not-officially-diagnosed, here we have someone who HAS been diagnosed, and somebody wants to de-legitimize her because she seems too functional or has chosen a domain that appears counter-intuitive.
There are SO many interesting issues up for discussion here.
What does "impairment" really mean (re: the DSM diagnostic of "triad of impairments") How impaired must one be to qualify as an aspie? What happens if an aspie diagnosis is defined in terms of strengths as well as impairments?
How context-dependent is the impairment? To what extent do group norms affect these judgements? (E.g. in Heather's case, she's getting dinged for awkwardness, eye contact and, to some extent, inarticulateness (e.g. not doing the Cover Girl lines), all of which might or might not affect her desirability as a model--depends on what type of modeling. But probably none of these traits would be a problem if she went into computer programming.)
To what extent can impairments be overcome by life experience? (E.g. I don't get criticized much now for the behaviors I used to get criticized for when I was younger--awkwardness, lack of eye contact, boring people to death with my special interests, dressing inappropriately.) However, I still get both criticized and applauded for my overly blunt or outrageous comments in meetings--the lack of social filter issue. Which results in occasional emails from our HR director telling me that what I said could be considered "inappropriate." My standard response is: Why? It was true. I'll also get people coming up to me to say: I'm SO glad you said that--I wanted to but didn't dare. So--is this an impairment or a strength? It depends, right?)
I think it's rather silly to suggest that Heather's not aspie just because she put herself into a situation which many of us would be uncomfortable with. In the past I've, for reasons which are rather complicated, placed myself into situations which were hugely difficult and uncomfortable given my social impairments. I've been a camp counselor at a sleep-away camp; I don't think that's proof I'm not aspie. Some of this sounds suspiciously like bigoted psychiatrists who think that autistics can't ever get married/have friends/make eye contact ever, etc.
Incidentally, I agree that the modeling profession is rather shallow and promotes unrealistic body images. But I'm certainly not going to begrudge Heather for trying to enter it when she's naturally endowed to do so. I think she really showed a likable and relatable personality on the show. I don't think there should be a single spokesperson for AS, but she wouldn't be a bad choice at all IMO.
I totally agree with all of the positive posts here, I haven't watched the programme, but I have looked at the links kindly posted by others'.
Heather appears quite obviously AS to me.
What on earth is going on here?
Because a young woman is beautiful & in her own way is successful, some other AS people are treating her in exactly the same way as an NT would...which looks very much like outright jealousy because she is able to do something they can't.
Perhaps the critics aren't AS?
As I've gotten older I can't stand light touch from people I don't know really well, though it doesn't bother me to be accidentally bumped in public- as long as I don't know the person and they apologize.