What’s so good about “normal” anyway?

The term neuro-typical is used by the ASD community to cover those that society deems normal.
My definition of neuro-typical encompasses all sorts of people. The mentally ill, in most cases are neuro-typical. Those with bi-polar disorder, those with schitzophrenia, those with narcissistic personality disorders, those that are work-a-holic, the paranoid and so on.

Why the differences matter.

Today I took delivery of a small item that would change someones life.  It got me thinking about the small things in life.

Let me start by explaining my delivery. It was something as simple as a left-handed bread knife.

Routines

I didn’t think I was particularily a stickler for routines. I am quite scatterbrained, and do not like doing the same things at the same times every day. It would be useless for us to attempt to eat our food at precisely 5:30 or something, just wouldn’t end up happening.

But looking at my day in small parts, it has become apparent exactly how much routine I fit into my day.

Looking Back, Part I

As my diagnosis has come late in life, there are many things that I can look back on that suddenly make sense. Many of these I was not aware of as being different to what other people do.

When I was three I learnt to read, by shape first, then phonics. For instance, umbrella was two small, one tall, two small, two tall, one small. When there were two combinations that could be the same word, like tea or two the correct one would obviously be the one that made sense in context.

One of AS?

I suppose we are expecting Connor to show AS traits, so does this mean we are over analysing his behaviour?

Every time he spins something we glance at each other knowingly, assuming his fascination means he is becoming “one of us”.

We do not care if he is Aspergers, Autistic, Neuro-typical, dyslexic, or anything else, he is our boy. But we have had discussions about being ready to prepare him with coping strategies, I am searching for picture cards to use around the house, we are noticing lots of things that are probably normal behaviour. It is hard to tell what is normal, as the boys are both AS so our recent experiences are of them.

Intent?

Over the last few days, there has been a lot of buzz about a post about Aspergers and intent.
For the article click here.

Two scenarios are presented, where Joe wants to buy the largest drink, and in case a) is told it comes in a commemorative cup, and b) is told it will be an extra dollar.

The question is does Joe intend to pay the dollar, or get the special cup.

Extreme @ Newport centre, support Hot Leg and The Duvals

Been waiting for this gig for months. As soon as the date was released, I mentioned it to Jay, and he got us tickets as part of my birthday present.

We had asked a friend to babysit, and they texted to say they were on their way at 5:00pm. I had sent Jay back to bed (he had taken caffeine tablets the night before and couldn’t get to sleep) so went to wake him.

He realised on waking that he had to go pick his mother up and take her home, so panic set in. Nothing new there.

Explaining Merged Identity

I am an adult with Asperger’s syndrome. This means that although I am able to ‘fit in’ with you, I do not really understand you. You may be able to say “I understand what you must be going through”, but you don’t. You could be thinking that maybe I am upset about having AS, or that it means that in some way I am broken. Maybe you even feel sorry for me.
I have been an aspie all my life, I just didn’t know it until recently.

RDOS operating system and the Neanderthal theory

RDOS operating system and the Neanderthal theory
This site is quite interesting. The aspie quiz helped me compare myself with my family and friends. My generated graph was very aspie, no surprise there really.

Nadine Jarvis | projects

Nadine Jarvis | projects

Nadine Jarvis is an artist with a different take on life (and death). I particularily like the pencil case with lead made from your loved ones ashes. I would like to be useful after my death.