Aspies For Freedom

I posted an announcement on the earlier version of AFF about this forthcoming event. Today I have been informed that the (NT) leader of the so-called support group I used to attend will be attending the conference.  I had hoped to use the occasion to raise the issue of support groups not living up to their name, but this has rather thrown a spanner into the works.

"Conference for people with Asperger syndrome"? Pants!

For those who missed the announcement the first time around, here it is again...

Sjöjungfru

A conference for people with Asperger's syndrome by people with Asperger's syndrome

How recent research can help improve the lives of people with high-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome

Sponsored by the Inge Wakehurst Trust

Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Camberwell, London, SE5 8AF
Nearest station: Denmark Hill. Bus route: 42
Monday 13 September 2004

09:00 - 17:00 with happy hour until 18:00

£25 per person

Speakers include:
Lord Wakehurst, Lorna Wing, Uta Frith, Pat Howlin, Angela Browning MP, Tony Bailey, Isobel Heyman, James Graham, Declan Murphy, Lynne Moxon
Also: Speakers with Asperger's syndrome or high-functioning autism

For further details contact:
Pamela Yates
020 8332 9213
pamela dot yates at airdesk dot com

Thought I recognised these quacks (and it's a real shame I can't afford the trip, nor the entry price, as I'd like to take these two warmly by the throat and...).

Here's a quote from an article in Scientific American (A Transparent Enigma): "Experts(eh?) long believed that autistics lack imagination and introspection. Lorna Wing, also at the National Autistic society, explains (double eh?) that these qualities are in fact present but impaired-

[gwynfryn interjects: Is this pure unadulterated hogwash or what? Strong imagination and introspection are among the most common attributes of autistics; what the **** is this "expert" talking about?]

...autistics tend to be uninterested in and unempathetic with others."

[So we don't do the affected small talk and ineraction thing, and that means we don't care about others? Some of these NT experts are sooooo unaware of their own rigid and limited outlooks; they are exactly the wrong kind of people to be researching alien intelligences!]

and... "A popular theory, championed by Uta Frith of the Medical Research Council in London, holds that autistics lack an intuitive "theory of mind"-that is, they cannot automatically perceive what someone else is thinking. Not "getting" deception or nuance, they are straitlaced and humorless."

Tell me Ms Frith, can you read minds? No, I didn't think so!

Why do these people have to come up with fancy and unilluminating catch phrases, instead of simply saying "autistics are not generally aware of non-verbal communication". Why do they have to make a virtue of deceit (which follows from not "getting it" being a disability) instead of telling it like it is, that non-verbal communication is an anachronistic hang over from our primitive ancestors, which should long ago have been superceded by language (surely an aspie invention?). What exactly is the advantage of using evasive, idiomatic speech, in the hope that others will guess what one really means from their interpretation(sic) of one's body language?

Are any of us strait laced and humorless? A minority perhaps (as in any cross section) but a characteristic of autism???

The worse thing is a lot of aspies pick up on these phrases and use them; "mind-blind", oh it rhymes, that's sooo cute!!! (where's my Kodac/sick bag?). What does "theory of mind" actually imply? Did any of you fail to note, or at least suspect that others had minds of their own? If, as a child, I din't know what others where thinking it was because they didn't tell me, and that's my fault? If I was unaware of body language, couldn't someone have explained it to me? The fact that no one ever did suggests that NT's are generally unaware of it too, so why aren't they regarded as ***?

This "inverse, self-justification think" that so many "experts" employ, really give me the shits! [I'm going to look at some more of Brightman's chimp pictures; it might get this bad taste out of my mouth.]

I personally have found Lorna Wing and Uta Frith to be sympathetic writers.  Their quotes should not be taken out of the context of the articles in which they were written.  Wing has done a lot of work to promote the interests of autistic people, she has an autistic daughter.

However, I don't like the idea of having Asperger's/HFA "speakers".  That bit does looks a bit sycophantic to me.

Sympathetic, maybe (and yes, I shouldn't take quotes out of context) but these two are very influencial, and so should really make more effort to understand their subject!

To assume the absence of something just because it can't be readily perceived, is hardly good science?

Sorry but I can't see ANY Aspie choosing these people, Lord Wakehurst has a child with an ASD as has Angela Browning her son is in his thirties and as tirelessly as she fights things have progressed little in her son's lifetime, Lorna Wing is in her seventies and works mainly for the NAS and is not as AS friendly as you would hope, I can say this from personal experience.  Tony Bailey diagnosed both my sons at the Michael Rutter Child and Adolescent Centre at DeCresigny Park in 2002, and has moved to Oxford University - he is a great fan of mainstream inclusion or Residential school, no in betweens for him.  Not one of these people has an ASD and I fail to see how the continued active stance from NT's to this day has affected change for any of us can any of you?

Whilst I may seem pessimistic and harsh I for one am sick and tired of NT's arranging ALL the seminars and telling us what we need and how we should be treated, not only is it patronising it has done bug for us so far. :evil:

Debs

I have to agree davixen, also another point, the high price charged to go to these events, one was held near me 2 years ago, it was a high price to attend, I asked if someone with AS could have any concession as it was to discuss AS, to basically learn and participate, no concession given, and I couldnt afford to go.  :evil:

Was she trying to get funding for a certain organisation or benifit? All praises and congratulations for people doesn't get them handouts. You have to give an overview of those worst affected and how bad it is for them or else people will ignore it.

Besides, she was probably addressing NT's so had to add drama to it to keep them awake through the 5 min long speech, poor dears

*cough*
http://www.aspiesforfreedom.org/phpBB2/v...c.php?t=80

my father is an aspie too.....
anyone else here with parents on the spectrum?

Gareth wrote:

Yes my Mum is an Aspie, her and Dad have been married for forty one years.  I've been married for seventeen years and been together with my Husband for two years before that so nineteen in total and my Brother who is an Aspie has been married for twelve years.

Care to respond Mrs B????

That's what would raise serious concerns with me that the meeting in Campberwell has been arranged including and with the wishes of Aspies - strikes me as another NT attempt to gain a pat on the back, look at what I'm doing touch.

Angela Browning is likening us all to her experiences with her own Son who is in his thirties and whilst I applaud the fact that she is after all trying to help, she does so in a typical one experience fashion not looking at the broader picture.  Not at all fair to us is it?

Debs

And she would have a clue about sex and Aspies how?  It just gets more and more frustrating - hey everyone how about we organise a conference using the same time table????

Debs

We know the owner of the site and writer of this piece, we will point out your comments to him, and this thread may provide a new perspective for him.    
Much stronger and very negative views have been put on http://www.lonemutant.blogspot.com .
I would be worried that a newly diagnosed person would come across some of the things written there and be very depressed indeed.

I have to agree about lonemutant Amy, You've probably seen the severly negative comments he's been writing on AI?  If you only want to exist rather than live then why force your negativity on those of us who do want better and strive to affect change?

Debs

Thanks for the very detailed post, it was good to know exactly what went on there.
Overall, was it worth attending?

So having read your excellent  report on the conference I stick to my opinion.

I don't know but I know a lady who does :wink:   Watch this space!