Aspies For Freedom

I've been asked to write a SHORT (400 words) article for the company diversity newsletter. So far, there have been absolutely no articles related to neurodiversity of any sort. Plenty of articles on various ethnic cultural events, or bowling from wheelchairs, but nothing about unusual cranial activity.

So, I'm trying to come up with something that educates people who have NO clue, but do actually bother to read the Diversity Education newsletter.

Here's what I have so far. Let me know if it seems appropriate, or if I've mangled any facts in the efforts to smash it into a single page.

I have to turn it in Thursday.


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Aspergers Syndrome is a neurological condition that hinders communication and social interaction. It is one of several varieties of developmental disorders commonly known as Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Since some estimates place the number of American’s with spectrum disorders as high as 1.5 million, there is a lot of room for variation; some people on the spectrum may be completely unable to communicate and in need of life-long care, while others can manage a job, marriage, and parenthood. People on the high-function end of the spectrum, with normal to high IQs and normal childhood language development, are usually diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

At present, there is no final conclusion as to what causes Aspergers, and there is much controversy about causes, treatments, and even whether Aspergers should be considered a disorder. However, most popular theories recognize that there are genetically inherited neurological differences that have a dramatic effect on many parts of the brain. It also seems clear that an early diagnosis is best, and that there are interventions that can bring significant relief and improvement to the lives of autistics.

It is very likely that you know someone with a spectrum disorder, or someone whose child or spouse is autistic. It is also possible that you work closely with someone on the spectrum. It’s not always easy to spot, especially if they have Aspergers. Those with Asperger’s can often excel in appropriate careers, and some have made major contributions to society, including winning the Nobel Prize. However, for many, even those who are successful, it can still be difficult getting through a day.

Each person with Aspergers has their own unique collection of symptoms of varied intensities but certain aspects are very common. Although their language skills and speech are normal, they may have an unusual way of expression. They may be overly formal, or use puzzling metaphors, or they may chatter on past the point where the listener loses interest. A person with Aspergers might be focused, for long periods of time, on an unusual, narrow interest. And they may sometimes make repetitious movements with their hands or body that appear to have no purpose.

Probably the most painful aspect of Aspergers is its effect on social interaction. People with Aspergers often misunderstand, or miss altogether, nonverbal communications like facial expression, eye contact or social conventions like politeness or diplomacy. They can have extreme difficulties making friends, building relationships, or even participating in meetings or workplace events. Although they are often excellent and thorough analysts, and able to explore unique perspectives and methods, their social dysfunctions make a large number of those with Aspergers unemployable.

It’s unfortunate when the work-center is deprived of the benefits of these unique minds because some employers find it difficult to accommodate what is essentially odd behavior. Perhaps, in dealing with Aspergers, a simple increase in tolerance is the key to employing some truly valuable and inventive thinkers.


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--
Jeff Gitchel
jeff@turtlemoon.org
http://flickr.com/photos/trainorphans/
http://turtlemoon.org

Also consider:

1.  Difficulties with flourescent lights, background noise, especially where there is an open door policy at the office.  I don't find flourescent lights a problem but on occasion, when needing to concentrate, I have reached for my earplugs.  When I used to study I studied with earplugs.
2.  Most Aspies find the traditional employment interviewing process most problematic.  After my Master's in social research I had three dozen unsuccessful interviews (1996-1998, and again in the autumn of 1998) before the state of Maryland simply gave up and enrolled me in its own VR program in information technology in 1999.


After the training in 1999 I started working.  I did not contribute any feature articles on Asperger but I briefly mentioned my own Asperger and Christianity and perhaps even my own social research background before IT.   I'm not sure when we stopped putting names photos and short descriptions in the newsletter.

Christopher Marsh
DTI Associates
Arlington VA
cmarsh@dtihq.com

I thought it was really clear, concise.  Excellent.

In the last paragraph though, I'd turn the emphasis around from:  

"It’s unfortunate when the work-center is deprived of the benefits of these unique minds because some employers find it difficult to accommodate what is essentially odd behavior. Perhaps, in dealing with Aspergers, a simple increase in tolerance is the key to employing some truly valuable and inventive thinkers."

Personally, I'd amend that slightly to say something like:

Some work-centers are deprived of the benefits of these unique minds because some employers simply don't know how to accommodate their perhaps eccentric behavior and harness their talents.  In dealing with Aspergers colleagues or job candidates, perhaps making an effort regarding tolerance and understanding is the key to employing some truly valuable and inventive thinkers.

NB:  (1) I think this emphasises more strongly that 'it's their loss' as the saying goes.  Is it something employers will necessarily find "difficult" to accommodate?  Or is it something that would be less difficult if they simply had knowledge and awareness?  

(2) I'd use "eccentric", instead of "odd", maybe that's a British thing though, in the UK we have a great tradition of English eccentrics, and as a result are more tolerant; it's very nuanced, but, say, you might fondly describe an elderly aunt's behaviour as eccentric, but if you say it's "odd", I don't know, to me that somehow has connotations of weird and strangely unacceptable, as opposed to different from the norm but tolerated.

(3) I'd use the term "Aspergers colleagues".  Again, it's a very subtle, nuanced thing, but I think that emphasises that we're people too, we're not just a 'condition' we're colleagues.  

(4) I added understanding because it's hard to tolerate something you don't understand.  Plus "increase" implies there's already some baseline to increase from, whereas there may be no understanding or tolerance initially.

Good luck with the article though, I'm sure it will get a positive reception and some good feedback.

Emphasize how much we want to work-- how eager we are, in spite of the hesitation the employers may have.

I have been told by my professors in grad school: be a professor, it is OK to be eccentric if you're a professor like us.  Sort of like the stereotype of the computer geek.

The state of Maryland, when they set up their first VR graduating class (which I was a member of) in IT in 1999, they were obviously following a principle proven by Rosie the Riveter.  During times of employment scarcity, non-traditional sources of labor will be recruited with success.  Maryland Department of Rehabilitation Services was betting that the employers would live with it, and maybe some would like it, or learn to like it.

Maybe if you're going to play with the word eccentric, use it in a Thomas Edison sort of way, he got into a little bit of trouble with his experiments, but he did create the electric light, the phonograph, et cetera.   Certainly thinking outside the box is useful in IT.  And maybe it is useful in applied research or theory sometimes too.

Thanks. Exce;;ent input.

GuessWho, I agree. In fact, I had lights (and that AWFUL white-noise noise suppresion) in the article, but had to cut it to keep near 400 words. I still have to chop another 70 words, too :-/ Still, there are more articles coming if this one doesn't piss them off ;-)

Lulu, that was an excellent rewrite. If you don't mind, I may cut and paste it in place of my own ;-) Of course, it may be a bit different after the chopping, but I really like the change to "eccentric" and the addition of tolerance and understanding. In fact, I added "patience."

I appreciate the help.