Any ideas what I should call the society I'm setting up at university? I want it to be liberal in the sense that all are welcome irrespective of age, sexual orientation, race, other disabilities... not v political either unless its related to the autistic/Aspie movements (its about us, not party votes). But I'm stuck for names. Any help?
Any ideas what I should call the society I'm setting up at university? I want it to be liberal in the sense that all are welcome irrespective of age, sexual orientation, race, other disabilities... not v political either unless its related to the autistic/Aspie movements (its about us, not party votes). But I'm stuck for names. Any help?
How about The Student Neurodiversity League? "Neurodiversity" refers to a diversity of neurologies, so it's the opposite of an exclusionary name- it actively invites people of differing neurologies to join. It also is a reference to the movement at large and describes the group's commitment to that movement.
I like it... do you think it would appeal to Aspies and auties? I want to keep it as broad as possible but I want it for us as a group... I'm cool with NT people coming along for support -i.e. having autie/AS kids etc - but generally I want it to support Aspies/auties.
This is what I've put down as our aims and objectives (this is what we get funded for)...
'To promote equality and harmony for students with ASD (autistic spectrum disorders); to faciliate their remaining in further education and academic achievement; to provide social opportunity, support and encouragement to ASD students; active promotion of neurodiversity; inclusive and expansive of the autistic minority movement and recognition of our individual traits; promotion of our individual culture whilst protecting our interests.
ASD students are dramatically under-represented in the three main universities (Strathclyde, Glasgow and Caledonian). We have no support mechanism beyond that of utilising the Disability Departments and many ASD students are isolated and alienated from their peers; 92% of Aspergers school pupils are victimised by regular and recurrent bullying, and the Aspergian university student is also as alienated as the Aspergian school pupil. This society is necessary to give ASD students peer support whilst offering the ability to form non-pressuring friendships and relationships with people who understand what it is like to feel like a 'resident alien' in society. The Aspergian minority movement is strong, with various Internet sites such as Wrongplanet, AspiesForFreedom and AspergerAdults advocating us as 'different, not defective'. As an Aspergian student who has came close to dropping out of university because the social pressures are too much, this society is, to many ASD students, not only a safe haven to escape to but a necessity that not only supports us through university but also gives us crucial life skills that extend our employability post university.'
LOL...
I've put us down as a 'cultural' society as well. Right now I've had to put my partner down as treasurer as I don't know any other Aspies at my uni - even though she's NT she's agreed to help out with it. I have to do a Launch Night if its approved (I can't see why it wouldn't be - they have a retro gamers society and one for Greek culture so its pretty open ended here) which I'm dreading... how am I going to get a group of Aspies to come along somewhere new with new people? My NT friends have said that I could just set up a buffet type thing with a box of wine and allow people to mingle that way... I tried to explain to them that we don't 'mingle' but bless them for the suggestion lol
Oh and thank you Luai! I went with 'Student Neurodiversity League'
Oh and thank you Luai! I went with 'Student Neurodiversity League'
You're welcome. I wish I could help with some ideas for the launch night, but I've never been very good at those things (all my birthday parties sucked until I decided to just rent a bunch of movies and watch them non-stop with my friends- not much conversation, but lots of fun).
I have to do a Launch Night if its approved (I can't see why it wouldn't be - they have a retro gamers society and one for Greek culture so its pretty open ended here) which I'm dreading... how am I going to get a group of Aspies to come along somewhere new with new people? My NT friends have said that I could just set up a buffet type thing with a box of wine and allow people to mingle that way... I tried to explain to them that we don't 'mingle' but bless them for the suggestion lol
One idea that worked well for "Autscape" would be to have colour coded badges or stickers available, to let others know what level of communication they'd be happy with (e.g. green=happy to be approached, yellow=a bit nervous/awkward about the whole thing, red=just here to observe, please don't talk to me, etc).
As far as actual activities for the launch night, probably just start with a mini-speech, then have some things available like resource books, chessboards, snackables, etc - it can't really be planned too much before you know what the group dynamic would be like.
*grins* It's not easy to think of things for large groups of socially awkward people to do - after all, large groups of socially awkward people don't exist very often...
Good luck!
Z... I
love the badges idea, that seems so much more fair.
And Linsey said that it was too stereotypical to have a chess board! Ha! Gonna make her eat humble pie now
Will let you all know whats happening nearer the time...
What if you're color blind? Just OCD nit picking.
ANT Alliance? Autistic/Neurotypical or Asperger/Neurotypical?
or ANTA Alliance Autistic NT Asperger Alliance.
I am like soooooo sad to be 37 and 12 years old of university. This could have been a great idea.
Z... I
love the badges idea, that seems so much more fair.
And Linsey said that it was too stereotypical to have a chess board! Ha! Gonna make her eat humble pie now
Will let you all know whats happening nearer the time...
*grins* But I like the stereotyped things... If you wanted to go all-out stereotype, you could decorate the room with lava-lamps, have the food divided into different colours and textures, and bring in a couple of rocking chairs... But that may be going too far.
Failing that, you could follow it up with a showing of our only political movie to date - "Revenge of the Nerds"...
Z... I
love the badges idea, that seems so much more fair.
And Linsey said that it was too stereotypical to have a chess board! Ha! Gonna make her eat humble pie now
Will let you all know whats happening nearer the time...
*grins* But I like the stereotyped things... If you wanted to go all-out stereotype, you could decorate the room with lava-lamps, have the food divided into different colours and textures, and bring in a couple of rocking chairs... But that may be going too far.
Failing that, you could follow it up with a showing of our only political movie to date - "Revenge of the Nerds"...
Play the Aquabats' song "Nerd Alert". Actually, any Aquabats song should do- including "Captain Hampton and the Midget Pirates", "Martian Girl From Planet B", and "Giant Robot Birdhead". 
About the food, though, seriously, you should a) make sure you have a variety of foods that are commonly liked (such as pizza, plain crackers and cheese, veggies, fruit, etc), b) at least one thing that's vegetarian, and c) some foods that are not high in salt, sugar, caffeine, or grease. That will ensure your food offerings appeal to the widest possible range of picky eaters- obviously, you can't cater to everyone (especially when you don't know who's coming!), but you can do pretty well, and your guests will appreciate it.
I used to hate going to school functions because they'd have hoagies and nothing else- and I'm a vegetarian, and I don't eat sandwiches of any kind. 