Answer, but No Cure, for a Social Disorder That Isolates Many

NY Times ^ | April 29, 2004 | AMY HARMON

[Travis McGee]

Thanks. Just goes to show that even among freepers, AS attracts belittlers and sadists. AS kids are total bully magnets. You can see the dynamic even here. Bullies just love to hammer AS kids.

[neverdem]

Bullies just love to hammer AS kids.

I'm afraid bullies need their skulls massaged. I prefer verbal persuasion, but it's not always possible.

[Ichneumon]

How interesting. I'm inclined to lump this kind of thing under, "Duh, people are different!" But I suppose it's helpful for some people to have a name put the particular way they are different from others. Whatever works.

Well, there's a big difference between "people are different" and "something just ain't working right" -- and pinning down what it is so you can be more aware of what kinds of situations are going to likely trip you up, etc.

[Travis McGee]

It's not an easy situation, that's for sure.

[Godebert]

OK wardaddy.... I've already admitted that my initial post was a lame attempt at a joke. I apologize for that comment and to the individual to which it was directed. I must say though that I'm a bit suprised at the level of hostility from Travis McGee. Hardly warranted in my humble opinion considering the nature of my offense. His subsequent "death-wish" attacks on me are out of proportion to my initial offense and reveal more about his character than my own.

[Tax-chick]

Definitely. I recall hearing Cledus T. Judd, the comedian, saying that once he learned he had bipolar disorder, he and his staff and friends read up on the condition and just decided to live with it, using the information they had, rather than drugging him. It really makes a difference if you know what to expect, and I suppose the same is true of a physical handicap.

[Travis McGee]

Gee, you sure are sensitive. Can't you take a joke? HAHAHA!

You can dish it out, but you can't take it, can you?

[Godebert]

You just don't know when to quit, Travis. I've already apoligized to the individual for my initial "insensitive" remark. I'm willing to admit when I'm wrong. My joke was in poor taste. As to my comments regarding your reaction to that comment, well...I'll let those stand, regardless of how many you freepmail to this thread.

[KeyTapper]

I agree that it is not funny. I was disappointed that Rush seemed woefully uninformed about autism and Asperger's syndrome.

Rush tends to talk about quite a few things that he is woefully uninformed about. ADD, CFS, RLS, Aspergers. Anyone care to add to the list?

My son has Grand Mal Epilepsy, ADD, Delayed Bone Growth Disorder, RLS and severe Social Phobia. Now, how do you imagine the Social Phobia came about? Certainly not by being treated kindly by well meaning people. He had teachers who made fun of him, fellow students who were cruel. People at church, even, who were unkind.

And Rush is so wrong when he says ADD is an excuse for bad behavior. My son was always the most well behaved kid in class. He just couldn't concentrate. ADD does not necessarily equal bad behavior.

Rush should stick to what he understands. Politics and sports. He just doesn't GET the rest of it.

[oceanperch]

Well this diagnosis can bring some ease to many.

I am uni polar manic and just don't like socializing. Girls night out and parties I avoid like the plague.

I have accepted my differences years ago and know people cringe and laugh when I speak up bluntly in a meeting I laugh too. I am either to quiet or to in your face. Can't find mid line socially.

But it is OK, because I do my work very well. Some of the best. Can't orally communicate well unless it is a tactless blunt statement but I forewarn those new to me.

Probably one reason I never wanted to get married.

I get along just fine regardless of the fact that I am friendless and the "cool crowd" seems wierd to me. I do have a couple of friends that come around now and then but they are like me in those areas.

It's ok though and it's like not being able to eat certain foods you just adapt to it and live life the best ability and for me that is with Christ as my focus.

I don't like the to fast days when I have to medicate to come down and rest so I can sleep for a few hrs. which the brain needs, but I cope and adapt and thankful I am not a clueless sheep in life following the crowd.

[Iwo Jima]

Ping for later reading.

[Triple Word Score]

I think we have to take all radio hosts with a grain of salt. The best and most conservative of them have offended me. The alternative is Delilah, who is the radio equivalent of a soothing stay in a Neolodge, so I guess we have to muddle through the best we can.

Then again, I think I woke up an hour too late to listen to Delilah, oh woe!

(Love songs, sappy dedications, a syrupy sweet voice all night long...)

[KeyTapper]

I see your point; however, Rush holds himself to a higher standard than other talk show hosts and has totally dropped the ball on these particular issues. He comes off as uninformed, unintelligent and biased. If Rush is going to pontificate on an issue, he should give it study time equal to issues about which he actually knows something.

[Triple Word Score]

Heh. Wonder how long we'd have to wait on hold to tell him that.

(Yes, sure, his screeners would let us through...)