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[Golfhaus]

That's certainly more astute than my comparison in Philosophy 102 between the Pre-Socratics and the Spice Girls back in 1998.

[theinevitable]

I keep thinking "How did this thread split to Aspergers and college radio."  HOLY CRAP!  College radio is the perfect metaphor for Aspergers/Autism.  Few people are exposed to it.  It doesn't have all of the flashy attention-grabbing stuff typical stations have.  It's obsessions are strange and deeply held.  Each college station can be wildly different from its contemporaries, as opposed to typical stations which are pretty much exactly the same within their genres.  And what it lacks in production value and polish it makes up for in perspective, occasionally surprising depth, and the sort of human honesty it's hard to find in broadcasting.  That kicks ass!

Yeah, that's totally what I was going for!

...but for real, cool connection.

[milhouse]

Aspergers is a condition considered to be a part of autism. 


I can recommend blogs, essays, books, etc. on why autism is a good thing if people are interested.

Bring it on.

[Pedro Picasso]

Joy of Autism has been a great resource.  It's by a mother in Canada.  She's not posting as often any more, but the archives are golden.

Autistics.org Library has a bunch of essays by autistic people about things most of us don't have to think about.  The most telling things for me are the ones about playing the role of brave disabled person for the benefit of others, knowing that it helps them set themselves above you and not feel threatened by you.  There are also essays on being institutionalized, abuse, activism, daily living, effects of drug use, etc.  Very honest.

Getting the Truth Out is a very in your face photo-essay.  It's a long emotional slog, so clear out a good hour.  It lulls you into thinking it's one thing and then becomes something completely different.

Born on a Blue Day is an autobiography by a dude that not only has Aspberger's but also synesthesia.  He sees numbers as shapes and can do ridiculous math in his head.  It isn't really savant-focussed.  It's just about this dude's life and struggles and joys.  I kept expecting something horrible to happen in the story because something horrible always happens to autistic people in stories, but this book is all about some happy endings.

Animals in Translation is a book about animal behavior by animal behavior specialist Temple Grandin.  She is autistic.  While this book is more about how animals think than how autistic people think, she says that in her case the thinking appears the same.  She's written other books specifically about autism, but I haven't read them yet.  This one's fascinating, and I do not like animals unless they drink alcohol and drive Escalades

Autistic Planet, Different Like Me, and I am Utterly Unique are children's books.  They have a wonderfully positive point of view and are a great way to share just a little bit of information about autism to children and adults who might be curious.  Because they're children's books, they're not intimidating to people who just want to learn a little.  And because they're not gloom and doom, people will actually flip through and learn what they have to offer.  It's pretty neat.