Asperger’s Syndrome is a condition of the brain and nerves, usually in place by birth, that affects how a person sees the world, processes information, and interacts with other people. Because those with AS act differently and since society has mechanisms for maintaining social norms, those with Aspergers are misunderstood, labeled, and rejected by society. If society would instead embrace our different brain types and variety of nervous systems, both those with AS and society at-large would benefit. In fact, Thom Hartmann points out that it is precisely those who are wired differently that have saved some civilizations in the past and it is those same types who will save our own civilization in the future – if we strive to accept them and understand what they see.
Myths of Science. Science is the great purveyor of truth. It is science that has brought us machines, electronics, and modern medicine. However, in every era, science proclaims its theories as infallible. At one point scientists declared the earth the center of our solar system, encouraged the bleeding of evil spirits from George Washington, dropped a planet from the official list, and every decade or so reclassified human disabilities. If science was always accurate and less dogmatic, it would not change its positions under duress.
Myths of Culture. Like science, the aggregate of humanity that we call civilization or society imposes its expectations on us in the form of culture. Like science, society measures what appears to be the average in all areas and declares it to be desirable. Unfortunately, the norm for a small group is not normal for the world. What is average today may merely be a fad gone tomorrow. Science and society have promoted oft-repeated myths about autism and Asperger’s syndrome to the point that these myths have become broadly accepted. The following is a small sample.
Myth 1: Autism and Aspergers are two names for the same thing.
Myth 2: We do not know what causes autism.
Myth 3: Autism and Aspergers can and should be cured.
Myth 4: Those with autism and Aspergers have normal nerves.
Myth 5: Autism is five disorders.
Myth 6: It is unclear if those with autism or Aspergers are biologically different.
Myth 7: Autism and Aspergers occur during early childhood.
Myth 8: Those “on the spectrum” are inferior and defective human beings.
Myth 9: Those who have not been diagnosed with autism do not have it.
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