Anyone want to talk about Neuro Tribes?

[ktzmoh]

I'm about 2/3 through and would love to talk about the book with some of you who have longer perspective on ASD than I do. Is anyone else reading this or has anyone finished it?

[auntie]

I've not read it, but I am hearing complaints that it's divisive.

We talked about/around it on TCF-

thencomesfamily.com/community/thread/60814/interesting-history-autism

and

thencomesfamily.com/community/thread/66467/interesting-read-on-history-autism

I'm looking forward to John Donvan's book on the History of Autism; I think it's due out in January.

www.amazon.com/Different-Key-Story-Autism/dp/0307985679/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1444052502&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3AJohn+Donvan

[ktzmoh]

Oct 5, 2015 8:42:24 GMT -5 auntie said:

I've not read it, but I am hearing complaints that it's divisive.

We talked about/around it on TCF-

thencomesfamily.com/community/thread/60814/interesting-history-autism

and

thencomesfamily.com/community/thread/66467/interesting-read-on-history-autism

I'm looking forward to John Donvan's book on the History of Autism; I think it's due out in January.

www.amazon.com/Different-Key-Story-Autism/dp/0307985679/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1444052502&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3AJohn+Donvan

Thanks for the links - I'll definitely read the atlantic article tonight. I have seen the blog post about whitewashing autism. I guess i don't know what to think - I don't want to whitewash the real struggles of others , or the turmoil we went through and continue to go through after our diagnosis. But I haven't been exposed to such a positive point of view before and it's kind of soothing to a scared parent to hear that framing. KWIM?

Also, I didn't know any of that history. I'll check out Donvan's book when it comes out too. 

[auntie]

I know that place where everything is uncertain and sort of scary. So many questions about will my kid be OK? Will he be able to be independent and have a fulfilling life?

Just be mindful that many of the people involved in the neurodiversity movement that ascribe to the notion that ASD is a culture, not a disability, may or may not have an actual ASD dx. Many of these people, IME on many ASD fora over 15 years, are self dxd via Dr. Google. I'm sure some would get the dx if they had the resources to do so; my own cousin got an Aspergers dx at 40, my PCP's older brother did at 52. There aren't many people out there to dx and tx adults who may be on spectrum.

[ktzmoh]

Oct 6, 2015 8:49:18 GMT -5 auntie said:

I know that place where everything is uncertain and sort of scary. So many questions about will my kid be OK? Will he be able to be independent and have a fulfilling life?

Just be mindful that many of the people involved in the neurodiversity movement that ascribe to the notion that ASD is a culture, not a disability, may or may not have an actual ASD dx. Many of these people, IME on many ASD fora over 15 years, are self dxd via Dr. Google. I'm sure some would get the dx if they had the resources to do so; my own cousin got an Aspergers dx at 40, my PCP's older brother did at 52. There aren't many people out there to dx and tx adults who may be on spectrum.

Hm that's interesting. I've never been do an ASD forum, but it would not have occurred to me that someone would self diagnose ASD.

[auntie]

Oct 7, 2015 10:54:02 GMT -5 ktzmoh said:

Oct 6, 2015 8:49:18 GMT -5 auntie said:

I know that place where everything is uncertain and sort of scary. So many questions about will my kid be OK? Will he be able to be independent and have a fulfilling life?

Just be mindful that many of the people involved in the neurodiversity movement that ascribe to the notion that ASD is a culture, not a disability, may or may not have an actual ASD dx. Many of these people, IME on many ASD fora over 15 years, are self dxd via Dr. Google. I'm sure some would get the dx if they had the resources to do so; my own cousin got an Aspergers dx at 40, my PCP's older brother did at 52. There aren't many people out there to dx and tx adults who may be on spectrum.

Hm that's interesting. I've never been do an ASD forum, but it would not have occurred to me that someone would self diagnose ASD.

OMG. Yes. It is very much a thing, especially around Aspergers because for of the popular image of those individuals being quirky geniuses. 

Sometimes it happens when a child is dxd and a parent realizes their little apple didn't fall far from the tree. Usually dad. Sometimes dad does meet the DSM criteria, other times he's more of an autistic cousin. 

Sometimes adults who are struggling in a couple parts of their lives- perhaps with relationships or employment- despite having been good students figure it out by consulting doctor google or hearing someone like Temple Grandin speak.

There was another review of the book in the journal Science this week; not sure if you can find it on their website. It was quite positive.