That article and others like it borders closely on bigotry.

There is a subtle implication that people with exceptional ability, especially in technical areas, must be defective (ie Aspergers or other syndrome).

Some people are simply intellectually superior to the norm. The article seems to have no recognition of that fact, nor of the consequences of social choices, time choices, or personality type like shyness etc.

The rather bigoted implication is that there are ONLY two type of people; "normal" people who are not particularly good at technical stuff, and "defective" or "disfunctional" people that are really good at technical stuff but impaired in other ways.

It looks like sanctioned geek-bashing, high school popularity contests gone mainstream.

 

I have aspergers syndrome

 

And while im good at what I do I have problems with social interactions and language difficulties

 

I have aspergers syndrome

My favorite subjects in school were Math and Physics. I am very introverted and shy and not very good at social interactions. I had great difficulties with language but have improved with the years. I don't believe I have aspergers.

What makes you believe that you have AS?

And while im good at what I do I have problems with social interactions and language difficulties

What kind of language difficulties do you have?

 

It looks like sanctioned geek-bashing, high school popularity contests gone mainstream.

True. True.

 

I know have AS because I was diagnosed when I was only 2 years old (i even have a statement which follows me on document). In terms of language difficulties I have problems with reading, creating sentences while taking etc

 

I thought the article was very balanced. I don't believe it was meant to bash anyone.

 

One of my nieces has an odd child. She says it is Aspergers. Very difficult kid. Appears to be stubborn with tantrums and completely unable to have a calm, orderly conversation. Most of what his mother says to him is about trying to help him regain some composure and control his impulsive behavior. I can not understand how to deal with him because all of his time seems to be spent in a chaotic mental condition. It's like trying to talk to a Bumble Ball.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumble_Ball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adnzzeXM5Ro

 

I know have AS because I was diagnosed when I was only 2 years old (i even have a statement which follows me on document). In terms of language difficulties I have problems with reading, creating sentences while taking etc

2 years old is way to early to diagnose. The brain changes and grows enormously in ability until about the age of 12.

And problems with reading and creating sentences is just as likely (maybe more likely) to be dyslexia.

 

Learnt of him today http://www.nydailynews.com/life-sty...y-genius-iq-higher-einstein-article-1.1340923

Notice that "at the age of 2".

 

It shows that something is wrong with the kid, but that doesn't mean that I don't believe he has the proclaimed IQ.

But it is problematic when, at the end of the day, you have to live in the same house with that kid (even this being a mild case) and a few bits and pieces of his character make things extremely hard.

Recently, I met a similar, yet opposite case:
In the electronics club I run at the university, three weeks ago a 1st grader appeared to start getting involved. He has some neurological problem due to birth complications that make him limb when walking and his hands shake a little.
Even though his mind can operate, his hands make it very difficult to solder or do fine work.

Should this kid be discouraged from doing electronics? In this era of the Western World, where everyone is supposed to be given an equal chance, I find this question very difficult to answer.

 

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Should this kid be discouraged from doing electronics? In this era of the Western World, where everyone is supposed to be given an equal chance, I find this question very difficult to answer.

Why should you discourage him?

When I learnt of this guy I changed my mind forever.

 

Of course I don't discourage him. I run this club for everyone who wants to get the hangs with electronics, no questions asked.

My question was a bit deeper: This kid is admittedly naturally handicapped in some important aspects of electronics, such as soldering.
Can he hope to compete in electronics sector with the rest of the students?
Or maybe what he does, anything that might be, things I may or may not be able to do, are enough for him, as long as he does the best he can do.

 

And while we 're still at it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnosis_of_Asperger_syndrome#Proposed_changes_to_DSM-5

It just shows how little we know about ourselves. We still can't decide what Asperger Syndrome is.

 

It's autism at the less intense end of the scale. That's always been my take.

I think authorities have been a bit quick to diagnose Aspergers, and parents a bit quick to accept that diagnosis, because in many cases it allows extra funding for the child or opens up options of special schooling, or special treatment at school etc.

The result of course is that kids will grow up with a label that will hurt them throughout life, and likely also a belief of their own disfunction and abnormality. None of that is good, especially when kids can adapt and grow in ability to an incredible extent, and without that label many would simply adapt and improve and go on to have a normal life.