I've definitely heard the need for parents of neurotypical children to learn about acceptance of autistic children - Heard stories about "neurotypicalism parents" who try to stop and prevent their children from playing with autistic children. Both on this forum and the norwegian forum, so I believe the problem is widespread.
I thought the same as Omlette, and I'm glad I was wrong. I can think of a few people who could do with this sort thing! All listed on my Wiki as Aspie Enemies!
An intrigingly orwellian statement from Timelord there. ;]
Which angle are you coming from, Ian? You've got me intrigued!
That doesn't help, Pika. Sorry.
Well it's true
A lot of prejudice can be overcome by educating the prejudiced, though. The sort of unthinking prejudice you pick up from others, when you haven't met anyone from the group in question... Think of what you yourself thought about a minority group before you got to know anybody from that group; it was probably a stereotype--not necessarily a mean one, but something that didn't really give you the full picture. Then when you met some members of the minority group, you revised your idea of what that group was like. With enough revisions, even the ultra-categorization that NTs use can be turned into a tendency to take each individual at face value. Strangely enough, it can really help erase prejudice if you teach the range of diversity within the group you're trying to teach about: It reinforces the idea of the people in that group as individuals, and thus people about whom you can't draw conclusions until you meet them.
How can they be re-educated if the predudice is unthinking? if it is instinctual?
How can they be re-educated if the predudice is unthinking? if it is instinctual?
The same way criminals can be deprogrammed from instinctive criminal behaviour?
How can they be re-educated if the predudice is unthinking? if it is instinctual?
The same way criminals can be deprogrammed from instinctive criminal behaviour?
but would that make us any better than the rotenburg centre?
Yes - unless they use extreme aversion therapy (which is what the JRC does).
How can they be re-educated if the predudice is unthinking? if it is instinctual?
Teach them to START THINKING... the prejudice begins to fade because they realize just how illogical it is.
How can they be re-educated if the predudice is unthinking? if it is instinctual?
Teach them to START THINKING... the prejudice begins to fade because they realize just how illogical it is.
Which is exactly what I meant above when I made the comparison to deprogramming criminal behaviour.
Pakrat, the suggestion being made was an example only. I know at least one person who won't be changed from his line of thinking. But the majority will respond - which was the point.
But who is going to be qualified to show them the error of their ways?
Us, maybe? The trick though is to get them to listen first. That takes a psychologist to show them that their current programming is getting them into hot water. We then fill in the gaps.