"Autism" Topic

Its been noted for years (I knew an undergrad in 92 who was considering doing her thesis on it) that wargamers show many symptoms of autism. (1 word – 'Bricole'. Seasoned Napoleonic TMPers are having flashbacks at that).

Do you
1) Have a formal diagnosis of an Autistic Spectrum Condition?
2) Not have a diagnosis, but have strong reason to believe you have an ASC
3) Have no reason, nor do 'neuro-typical' friends, to suspect autism.

[Anybody who says 'everybody is a little bit autistic' is consigned to the sort of place where Dante himself would go "Bit Harsh".]

There is a reason gaming conventions smell that way…

3. However, my brother does have Autism and not the "I'm a little eccentric, I'm on the 'spectrum'" kind of casual use of the term that is currently thrown around at the drop of the hat.

Autism is a Spectrum, and on one end are people who will never live their lives unsupervised and for whom a caregiver is required 24/7. Luckily my brother is functional enough to go out of the house and even do simple jobs, but he will never be considered just a little antisocial. He lives in a group home and will for the rest of his life.

The casual use of Autism really bothers me since I know people who have to supervise their teenage children at all times because they must wear padded helmets just so they don't accidentally kill themselves, and I think of my brother whenever someone acts like someone who is a little 'off' is Autistic. You only ever hear about one end of the spectrum while people at the other end are often forgotten.

Sorry to get on a soap box on this.

The soap box is totally understandable, no need to apologize.

Probably 2) and No 3 son is a 1) – but highly functional and given he has gone into a line of work that is ideally suited for people with his diagnosis and skill set has been extremely successful – which is not all that common and for which we are all profoundly glad

3 grandchildren, apparently from my ex-wife's family which had 2 daughters fairly far out on the spectrum. Luckily my grandchildren were identified early, are on the lower end of the spectrum, have had superb parental support that go to bat for them (all under age 10) with the financial/educational means, live in a truly great public school area that is the best in the state for teaching/supporting autistic children and will be "OK"(although they'll never be quite "normal"), no one will notice I don't think as they fall into that "they're so brilliant, but eccentric personality" that people assume most overly bright folks are.

On the other hand, my friend has a son still at home in his middle 30s, sweet man, who can leave the house and work simple jobs for various charities and businesses, riding the bus, but will never live on his own. His parents are now in their late 60s and struggling to find a group home for him for when they can no longer take care of him.

No one has to tell me that life is unfair. One's income, education, race and location are decisive much of the factors in how the autism child is treated and cared for, outside how far on the spectrum they are born on.

Me, 3. My Boss's son is and two of the guys on my team probably have mild cases (as per the folks at my work who test for that sort of thing).

With no offense to anyone, in my opinion the Autism has gotten to be so broad it is almost meaningless. My oldest son got the worst aspects of my and my wife's personalities. Like me he's perfectly happy to have one or two friends, do his own thing by himself, and is a serious introvert. From my wife he got a weird learning disability where he doesn't hear words right, (if you say 'write the word the' he'll write fe, because that's what he hears). End result is that he's quite and hates school because he has to work so hard. After going to various doctors for 8 years the latest decided he was mildly autistic. I may be wrong, but I don't buy it.

In the many years I was poked and prodded on account of my anxiety. They did test me for everything under the sun, including tourette's and asperger's.
But aspergers is a very specific diagnosis, and just before you have "laser focus" on your interest doesn't make you autistic.
I have zero problems understanding human interaction etc.

So just being super nerdy wargamer doesn't mean your are autistic. If you on the other never understand sarcasm, you might be.

I was tested for something when I was young, I remember wearing some kind of electronic beanie and getting the questions about what I see (or something like that – it was just before Kindergarten so 50ish years ago). The final diagnosis, thanks to my mother fighting for it, was that I was OK but didn't give a "turd" about doing things I didn't want to do. Which is still true to this day.

Having worked at Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse facilities (installing software/hardware and training staff on using it) I agree that we bandy the term about far too much. God Bless anyone who works in those facilities.

I'm bipolar II. Not on the spectrum but there are certain symptoms that mirror high functioning autistics in bipolar.

I've known dozens of people over the last 30 years at my local gaming club that I suspect were on the spectrum but I never broached the subject with them.

TGerritsen,

Your soapbox is fully justified. It is a very misunderstood issue.

JohnG

No quack is ever gonna diagnose me with some made up crap to get their drug company kick back

Autism is FAR from "made up crap" Bro. Its pretty devastating to many peoples lives.

yeah but I walked into a shrinks office on the advice of a "friend" 10 years back coz I was long term unemployed.

It went like this. 10 years back This 98 year old quack, full on auspicious psychiatrist, not a psychologist. took one look at me, no testing and wanted me try out an amphetamine, guaranteeing I would feel better.

He told me if I didn't try it I would be unemployed and single for life, without knowing about me.

That dude was the same as a drug pusher to me.

I told him to get that out of my face and walked out of his office, I ain't no junkie.

Millions worldwide aren't as strong as me and would accept the advice of a legitimized drug pusher and take the easy way out.

Today I've had a stable job for 8 years now and just got out of a two year relationship that wasn't working out.

Turns out that "friend" was gaslighting me and making me think my problems were due to mental illness, coz that's the cool thing. He wanted me to be grateful for "saving me". he wanted himself to feel like a hero.

Truth is, I was unemployed because I didn't have any relevant skills, I changed that and got a job.

A "bleep* of people are duped to think normal life problems = mental illness.

Luckily I see through the .

I hope more people here can from my story.

You are stronger than you think.

Don't choose to be a victim. It's a choice.

He was a quack. Easy to tell, he tried to prescribe something.

As the father of an autistic child I will happily join you on the soapbox, Tgerritson.