Aspies For Freedom

I do like the idea of handing over a business card to those who have some unwanted reactions to someone on the spectrum. An outline of what autism is would be a great idea on one side. Our Qld org does have a small card this is given to employers to assist in understanding on an intial contact.

I thought of making up a card for myself but wasn't sure what to put on it.

Hello...
Yes, there are already threads about a couple/few of those stories in your link.  The AFF forum I think, all signed the petition about the boy "voted" out of class.  It is sad to think, sometimes, how little compassion some people have for those that don't act exactly like they are expected to.

It is a shame that many people working in many industries are so stressed out in their own lives that they seem to feel it is just too much to stretch themselves to be more understanding.  As if in the status quo everything is all working so well.  Everyone could use a shift in thinking, it seems, to think more of each person as having not only feelings, but the inherent right to not be discriminated against.

Nothing constructive to say, but wecome to AFF anyway!

i truly do appreciate my time on this forum!!!  thank you for the welcome!

i agree that society needs to make a shift in thinking!  it doesn't seem that mainstream ideology would be any worse for the wear if everyone thought just like me <insert laughter here>

Welcome to AFF!

Yeah, there's so much misunderstanding that goes on, and especially alarming is that so much of it comes from people who are considered professionals, with long degrees from good schools.

Sometimes I feel like shaking them and saying, "Just because you were told that this is good information about autistics doesn't mean it's true! In fact a lot of it is BACKWARDS!"

As I like to say, never trust someone because of their degree.  Even Harvard can give degrees in bullshit.

Yeah, I learned that when I was 13, and the counselor spewed so much bigoted bull<Tee hee hee - I didn't use a real swear here, either>, that I started to realize how they would dangle their degrees over my head so they could tell me why I did what I did, what I was thinking, and why it's all a sign of my pathology rather than my standing up to abuse and intimidation.

I forgot about this post. It makes more sense than ever.

1. I have Aspergers Syndrome.

2. My thought processes are different to yours.

3. Many Famous people throughout history had Aspergers Syndrome.

4. Social activities are disorientating to me.

5. I am very loyal and truthful.

Something like this on the backend of a business card wouldn't be a bad idea (not in stone, someone may have better ideas than me)

Sounds good to me. I also find I get a better response from other people if I simply say I have autism. They often don't understand technical terms for the various sub-conditions so keeping it simple is best, as far as I'm concerned.

I had a go at a prof today who came up with a weird test. Basically you where given a fossil and a minute to answer on it with him counting down on the time. You had to identify what it was, what sort of environment it came and whether it was a cast, mineral replacement original material etc. It takes that long for me to follow the instructions to pick the darn thing up and begin processing.

I said I have aspergers syndrome. What is that, I never heard of it. Heard of HFA? Yes well its the same and this sort of test is not testing what I know but a handicap I have with short term memory. I need to see the things first then given time off then ten mins later I can answer. No reply. Then, if you have a problem lets see what can be done about it.

The concern I have with having a t-shirt that says "Pdd-nos" is most people would say "what on earth is that?" but if it said "autism", it would be more understandable.

Exactly right.  Also, a doubly bad position for a youth who is discriminated against always.  Ideas are typically not given credence -no matter how well thought out - unless there is a "proper" vetting of credentials by the establishment.  Credentials are a dime a dozen, (in this case) whereas inspired or individual thought is more of a rarity.  Beurocracies function poorly because too much weight is given to things learned by rote.