Life As An Aspie

Aspergers Syndrome has been diagnosed as a ‘Pervasive Developmental Disorder’ by the World Health Organization. It has been defined as one of the Autism Spectrum Disorders,characterized by significant difficulties in social interactions and non-verbal communications and repetitive patterns of behavior. In terms of language skills, it has been reported that there is a delay in speech acquisition. They also tend to literally interpret what others say and have difficulty in understanding humor, ironies and sarcasm.

Life of an Aspie Source

However, there are a number of people with Aspergers Syndrome, who deny it to be a disorder or a condition that it debilitating in any way. They call themselves ‘Aspies’ and celebrate themselves and their differences. In accordance with this viewpoint, it has been found that their auditory and visual perceptions are exceptional and they observe and pay attention to the finer details that may escape the attention of others. Their condition seems to have no bearing on their cognitive abilities, and often the characteristics of Aspergers seem to be the strengths and qualities essential for a number of professional pursuits.

.Aspergers – To be cured or celebrated Source

The people who tag themselves as Aspies hold the ideology that there is no “right” configuration of the brain that is universal. Different individuals are wired in different ways and as long as their condition isn’t a debilitating one and doesn’t cause them to be dysfunctional, their uniqueness shouldn’t be considered as an illness to be cured. Along the same lines, was an animated movie called Mary and Max (2009) that discussed this ideologies and depicted the life of an Aspie. The story unfolds in an exchange of letters between two people Mary, an eight year old girl and Max a 44-year old man, who bond as pen friends. Mary finds a trusted friend in Max who has been diagnosed as having Aspergers and later goes on to study psychology wanting to understand more about Aspergers. The movie in addition to dealing with issues like childhood neglect and loneliness also address a fundamental question about Aspergers, which is whether it needs to be cured as a disorder.

There have been many inspiring figures in history that have had Aspergers, and have successfully managed to channelize their strengths setting examples in favor of them being unique and not disordered. For instance, the genius physicist Albert Einstein, Madam Curie and even the great musician Mozart. Many scholars of Aspergers have also added Bill Clinton to the list owing to his lack of social skills.

Hans Asperger, the pediatrician who first made a diagnosis for Aspergers in 1944, found that there were a significant amount of his patients who were children who displayed a considerable lack of non-verbal skills reflected in their eye contact, facial expressions, posture and gestures. According to him also, “for success in science or art, a dash of autism is essential. The essential ingredient may be an ability to turn away from the everyday world, from the simply practical and to rethink a subject with originality so as to create in new untrodden ways with all abilities channeled into the one specialty.”

However, there is no denying that there are many people suffering from Autism and related disorders, and have had sufficient disabilities due to the same. Their personal lives, social interactions and professional competency get severely challenged. In that sense considering every Aspie to turn out to be a genius, could be a reason why their suffering may be overlooked.

Max writing letters to Mary Source

According to child psychologist, Dia Sharma, “the measure of suffering or competence is dependent on the lifestyle of people with Aspergers, the familial and social support they get and the opportunities that are available to them. In a stereotypical society, it becomes increasingly difficult for anyone who is even a little different to exist without being subjected to criticism. This furthers the gulf between them and the society and worsens their condition.”

Mary finding comfort in Max’s letters Source

Especially people with Aspergers who have been always criticized for their lack of social skills, it can be a confusing and alienating circumstance if the society rejects them as equal members. Though there have been many exceptional personalities who have managed to create a dent in the mindset of people, there still exists a wealth of misinformation and lack of empathy in the society when it comes to any issues regarding mental health. The dearth of information creates fertile grounds for misconceptions and stereotypes to flourish, which not just hurts people who have these conditions but even their family members making it difficult for them to extend their support and care.

They are reaching out to youSource

We need a more socially aware society. We need to create more awareness regarding the issues of mental health to create a more facilitative environment for different individuals and spaces for uniqueness to be appreciated and celebrated.