I see what you mean couldbecousin, I found it a little bit offensive.
I did have a German-Jewish Great Grandmother who came to Britain during the Second World War, and her family where full of Autistic Characteristics, especially Bipolar.
Notice my avatar and user name.
That is a hint of my descent.
It has been shown, I understand, that Austism is more common to Central and Eastern European communities. Chicken and egg. If we carry this hypothesis is it the case that it's more common to Jews, or simply the case that Ashkenazim are genetically eastern european?
Well, you've got my vote of Southern European (Mediterranean.) I wonder if perhaps I'll be the "lone wolf" in that category... I hope not.
Hold it Shnoing if you implying that I'm some sort of racialist. I had added this poll to prove the hypothesis of the article if there was a link between Autism and Ashkenazi Jews by using AFF as a sample. So think before you sent me that comment on this thread.
I thought Shnoing's comment was more interesting than offensive. I'm not sure where you're from Joel, but the German and wider European perspective on such matters is interesting to me.
There's simply not enough diversity in the Poll answers. I feel uncomfortable as the only Mediterranean vote. Are there other Italian people with AS around?? Maybe not on AFF, perhaps?
Perhaps a new poll should be placed in the general forum, where more people will see it, and there will be greater diversity in the answers.
All into BDSM on this forum.
I had to google that! 
No further comment! 
I wonder if language plays a big part in the results, too... there are probably loads of Italian Aspies, but they're over on an Italian language Aspie forum somewhere. Ditto the Middle Eastern Aspies and the Asian Aspies.
Then, there'll be populations - southeast Asian and Indigenous Australian, for argument's sake - who are more likely to have socioeconomic barriers to both getting internet access to take part in fora like these, and getting diagnosed in the first place.
I have actually met one self-DXed Italian female on AFF.. who lived in Italy.. that one came as a surprise! Unfortunately she did not post much and is now long gone.
I wonder if perhaps my strong ethnic identity--allegedly, I am 100% Italian--has made it harder for people to see my Asperger's. There's a common Asperger's trait--stubbornness--which Italian people (and, of course, myself) seem to carry in droves.
There's simply not enough diversity in the Poll answers. I feel uncomfortable as the only Mediterranean vote. Are there other Italian people with AS around?? Maybe not on AFF, perhaps?
Perhaps a new poll should be placed in the general forum, where more people will see it, and there will be greater diversity in the answers.
I think the number of "Northern European" votes is significant. It may be that AS is rare for non Northern Europeans, and you being the only Mediterranean vote is just part of that.
This post is kind of old; if anyone has redone it, I haven't seen it (yet).
B"H
I believe that certain forms of Autism may have been given to the Prophets and the great Rabbis to help them understand Torah better. These people were given a special connection to the Creator.
Thus, the concept of Autism being a "gift" if accepted correctly. The Torah is also called a blessing and a curse, a curse if one does not accept its Laws and Precepts. There might be a very deep message in that, very deep.
I think that you will find that neither genetics nor environment can fully explain Autism. It is a complex reality. These issues are very deep, and best left discovered rather than discussed.
All the best.
I think the number of "Northern European" votes is significant. It may be that AS is rare for non Northern Europeans, and you being the only Mediterranean vote is just part of that.
This post is kind of old; if anyone has redone it, I haven't seen it (yet).
Asperger and autism have been shown to cut across all continents, ethnicities, and genders, etc etc. I don't believe it is rare for non Northern Europeans--that is almost an arrogant thing to say.
German (Catholic), Irish (Catholic) and Native American with some Pentecosts thrown in.
There's simply not enough diversity in the Poll answers. I feel uncomfortable as the only Mediterranean vote. Are there other Italian people with AS around?? Maybe not on AFF, perhaps?
Perhaps a new poll should be placed in the general forum, where more people will see it, and there will be greater diversity in the answers.
Let's suppose, that most mediterranians are not native english speakers, and would probably prefer to write in their language.
I suppose this poll says more about the visitors of AFF than about the worldwide spreading of autism. I'm northern European btw. Don't know what original tribe celtic, saxons, german, batavians or whatever. Dutch for as far as I can look back.
I suppose this poll says more about the visitors of AFF than about the worldwide spreading of autism. I'm northern European btw. Don't know what original tribe celtic, saxons, german, batavians or whatever. Dutch for as far as I can look back.
The Dutch are the descendents of the Batavians.
Not only. The moving of tribes through europe brough mainly saxons, germans (the old ones) Kaninefates and batavians through our country. The batavians were mostly in the south. I'm a northener, mainly german, and saxon influences. They can be found in the language still.